Introduction of a newb (1 Viewer)

[Llama]

Hello everyone!

I guess it’s time to introduce myself. I’ve been lurking around the site for the past month or so, and have learned so much already. My name is Mike and I’m from SW Houston (Galleria area). My brother was into SW about ten years ago and introduced me to the hobby. I’ve been running my SW aquarium for two months and I think it’s safe to say I’ve caught the bug. I have a 46 gal Oceanic bow (drilled) with a Sea Life Aquatics 75 wetdry with built in skimmer doing the filtration. So far a have about 50 lbs. of live rock, a few assorted damsels, one yellow fin chromis, one pacific skunk cleaner shrimp, one emerald crab, 15 tiny blue legged hermits, two astrea snails, and three turbos. Lucked out big time when a purplish blue mushroom coral, a button polyp (reddish brown on the outside and green in the middle), and a little colony of snake polyps hitchhiked into the tank via some of my live rock. Since they are doing well I’ve since added four little zoa frags (two from fishcraze) and a few shrooms that were sold to me as “watermelon shrooms”.

Looking forward to learning from you guys and hope to make it out to one of the collection trips soon!

Link to a phone pic of my tank (Eheim 2217 has since been removed after it was used to seed the wetdry:
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=920181024/PictureID=25543990024/a=1102650024_1102650024

-Mike

 

[ddr_phish]

Welcome to MARSH and the hobby! It sounds like you're on the right track with your tank

 

[flexrac]

looking good, welcome!

 

[CBBSteve]

Looks good, Mike. Keep it up...

Steve

 

[goby1kanobi]

Welcome,
Glad you've decided to let us know you are here!
I don't do anything without consulting here 1st.
Welcome aboard!

 

[Llama]

Thanks guys. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions to throw up.

Lighting is my highest priority right now. Currently I only have a 36" T5 Coralife 2x39w, and a 30w T8 50/50 on the tank. Not near enough for what I want to do with the tank. Planning on a Nova extreme HO T5 4 bulb ballast as soon as I have the cash to throw at it. Then I need to look into a powerhead or two to bump up circulation. Most likely going Korilia because the price is right.

Question:
I have a Rio 2200 as the return pump from my wetdry. It circulates pretty well. Actually started with a Rio 14HF, but that thing was loud as hell and the had such high flow it was stirring up my sand substrate.

I'm thinking of adding two Korilia powerheads to the system. One in the opposite corner of my return and one in the back behind my rock. I've heard of people using both Korillia 1's and/or nanos in a tank of my size. Which of those would ya'll recommend for my 46?

 

[ddr_phish]

Depending on where the dead-spots are in your tank (and depending on your rock work), I would probably go with a Koralia 1 and 2. Nanos will more than likely be too little in a 46 bowfront.

 

[Tempset]

Creativity 7
initiative 8
aquascaping 6
plumbing 7

overall cool factor 7

I like it. Good stuff. This will be a good addition to the tank tour in a year or so.

only pie e of advice: if your truly serious about nice fish & corals, consider rehoming the damsels (I just rehomed all of mine)

 

[Llama]

ddr_phish:

Depending on where the dead-spots are in your tank (and depending on your rock work), I would probably go with a Koralia 1 and 2. Nanos will more than likely be too little in a 46 bowfront.

I was thinking of using 1's at first. But worried about them blowing sand all over the rocks like the Rio 14HF I had before. Anyone have any personal experience with these heads in a 46 bow?


Tempset

Creativity 7
initiative 8
aquascaping 6
plumbing 7

overall cool factor 7

I like it. Good stuff. This will be a good addition to the tank tour in a year or so.

Thanks! I'm learning more everyday. Now I just need to invest in a better camera

only pie e of advice: if your truly serious about nice fish & corals, consider rehoming the damsels (I just rehomed all of mine)

Ah yes, this is the next step I had planned for the tank. Trying to think of the best way to do this.
!. Drain water into cooler and dig a low spot in the sand for easy picking.
2. Try to make some sort of trap.

The fish are quick to head for the rocks when my hand goes in the tank though

 

[reesetricted]

I had to run 2 knanos in my 10g nano in additon to the return.... They push very little water. I'd say a k2 kn either end and aim the return at the dead spots. My .02....never had a 46 bow, have had a 30 & 50 rect.

 

[Llama]

Decided to order one K2. I'll wait until that comes in to see how it moves the water and then decide on a 1 or 2 for my second head.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[reesetricted]

llama WAIT!

Look in the B/S/T.

http://marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=41304

 

[reesetricted]

There is a lesson for ya. Dont buy new before you troll the B/S/T. You can usually get anything (other than a vortec) for minimum 50% off, usually 66%-75% off.

 

[Llama]

Those are nanos correct? I went ahead and swung for a K2 ($40 to my door) to start off with. Then I can decide to grab another if the flow isn't too strong or go with a K1 as a secondary.

Believe me I looked and looked well to see if anyone was getting rid of what I wanted.

Good lookin' out though!

 

[reesetricted]

No, it was 2 korallia 2's for $20.

 

[Llama]

Seriously? I was confused by the post then. I looked at that exact post before I purchased. I guess I was confused by the wording. "2 Korallia nanos"

 

[reesetricted]

Woaw. Im definitely wrong. I would have sworn it said "2 korallia 2 $20" exactly like that. Instead is CLEARLY says "2 korallia nanos $10 each" I did even check when I posted the last one.

You rock. I suck. Or mb I just make stuff up sometimes. :?