Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side.

Discussion in 'Members Systems' started by pierreschoonraad, Nov 3, 2019.

  1. pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    I started this thread on Members Systems as I truly have no idea where else it can be started. Don't think the Mods can help me either. But let me start walking on the wild side and jump in at the deep end.

    A bit more than two months ago I made a life changing desision. I quit my stable, but stressfull, job and followed my passion. I started working for a specialised fish shop in Pretoria. The pay sucks but I smile each morning and each evening.

    Being in the hoby for almost 10 years I have a fairly good concept of tropical fish keeping. My knowledge of marine systems stretch as far as Finding Nemo. I always wanted to have a reef tank and now the excuse came that I will need first hand experiance, at least that's what I told my wife, for my work.

    I have been reading up, a lot, lately but still need to figure out the strontium, calsium, copper etc of marine aquariums. There is still so much to learn, but it's actually good for this old dog to learn new tricks.

    I received a used tank with overflow sump at the back, free of charge and in very good condition, to get going with my new challange. Luckely I pay with brecis shellies and get a discounted price, which help a lot. The aquarium is 50L without anything in it, I guess it will be more in the region of 40L when all the live rock and hardware is in. Hardware wise I got an Atman AF-80S external protein skimmer with a Sebo WP-3300 pump, 600L/H, to supply it with water. For a return pump I desided on a Sebo WP-2300A internal filter, 800L/H. The big reason behind this is that I can use the sponge as a water polisher, and it fitted in the sump. Wave maker I got from my stash of unused items, when I reduced my aquariums, which didn't last long. Aragonite I got from my shellie tank. Mixing my own salt, Seachem Vibrant Sea, because I get RO, at no cost, and it works out much cheaper than getting prepared water.

    Tank was set up today, still very cloudy. First foto is the hardware fitting before putting on, the freshly painted, stand. Second foto is aquarium all filled up and cycling. The Beamworks light is just a temporary fixture. Will upgrade this to a much better reef light in a few months. I will start adding live rock over the next month to give the cycle some help and also to start with the hardscape of the aquarium.

    Will keep you posted as I continue. Marine guys please help out if you see anything that might go wrong.[​IMG][​IMG]

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  3. T. Guppy

    T. Guppy

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    This must be very exciting for you! Good luck with it!
     
  4. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Congratulations @pierreschoonraad and all the best in your new venture as well.as your new project
    Sometimes there comes a time when you, your health and happiness come first
     
  5. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    Thanks @MariaS and @T. Guppy it's a very exciting and nerve wrecking time ahead. Will go with the flow and see where it leads me. Will just have to put my patient shoes on as a reef wasn't build in a weak, or grown in

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  6. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Ahhhh you can do it!!
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2019
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  7. Pezulu

    Pezulu

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    All the best with the new venture.
    As for going over to the dark side, I have often looked at the various marine tanks at my local LFS, but every time I see those tanks, I decide against them.
    After running close to 20 tanks at one time, I am now glad I only have 5, of which 4 are shrimp tanks, and the one is the display tank in the lounge.
     
  8. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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  9. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    Thanks @Pezulu and @A new day . I believe that with what I plan and the amount of live rock I will have in there the maintanance willbe minimal. Btw I'm not planning any fish for this aquarium. Main fokus will be soft corrals and some inverts crawling around.

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  10. TheGrissom

    TheGrissom

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    Good luck Pierre. Following along
     
  11. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    Thanks @TheGrissom

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  12. Whoknows

    Whoknows Moderator

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    Good luck with the new adventure. I also did some research on Marine and all I can say is maybe think about adding an auto top off and test the water often parameter shifts happen quickly in nano's or so I was told
     
  13. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    Thanks @Whoknows . I'm in no rush with this one. Luckely I can test my water, as needed, at work. I hope that the amount of live rock and light bio load will defnitly help to keep it stable. All I will need to feed is the corals and the cleaning crew will sort the left overs out.

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  14. Whoknows

    Whoknows Moderator

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    Can't wait to see the end result good luck:thumbup:
     
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  15. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    Thanks @Whoknows

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  16. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    What does one feed coral?
     
  17. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    MarineSnow from Two Little Fishies is the first of its kind: a natural planktonic solution for filter-feeding marine invertebrates. This invertebrate food replicates the special biogenic suspended matter "marine snow" found in natural seawater. Marine snow is an important part of the food chain in marine ecosystems. Now it can be a part of home reef aquariums too! Contains natural components of marine snow, including zooplankton, phytoplankton, and particulate and dissolved organic material, and more to provide superb nutrition for filter-feeding marine invertebrates.

    That is just a copy and paste from the product I will be using.

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  18. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    It’s a whole new world! Very interesting!
     
  19. Ammar

    Ammar

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    good luck @pierreschoonraad this is definitely a step up from breeding Rainbows, its always scary taking that first step into the world of marine, i find it very intimidating but i guess once you know what you doing its just another tank :) good luck with everything, keep posting!
     
  20. OP
    pierreschoonraad

    pierreschoonraad

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    Thanks @Ammar . Yes it is a complete different, although very similar, world for me now. At the moment I'm not even concidering breeding but just fokusing on.keeping everything alive.

    Sent from my SM-A305F using Tapatalk
     
  21. Barry Roux

    Barry Roux

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    A good read for marine and understanding dosing is Randy Holmes recipes.
    http://thereefuge.com/threads/randys-recipe-maintaining-calcium-alkalinity-and-magnesium.376/

    Epsom salt = MG
    Bicarb = Alk
    Slaked lime (Pharmacy) = Alk + CA (Kalk wasser just cheaper)

    In my opinion every reefer needs to understand this the rest will come with time.

    Also feeding coral in an small volume could be dangerous. Look at the benefits of changing water rather .

    Leds are the way to go these days for marine. If you can do a bit of DIY Look at Improved living.pe Johan has quite a few tips and tricks.
     

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