my tank, what do you think?

[timclegg111]

heya guys, im new to marine and am currently setting up a reef tank.

it is a 125l jewel rio, in black, i got this of ebay, i have removed all the sponges from the filter with plans to fill it up with broken up live rock, i have 1 blue and 1 white T5 jewel highlite bulbs with reflectors, i have a TMC V2 400 skimmer and a cheap uv steriliser which i will upgrade soon :),i also have the stock 100w heater, i have added about half the live rock i need which has given me some interesting finds, such as a small crab, 3 feather dusters, many shrimps, i now have 2 turbo snails and 1 red legged hermit and 1 blue legged hermit.

im not so sure about the aquascaping but the best tihng about starting out is the learning curve! if anyone has any ideas on my tank all ideas welcomed.

tank is cycled with the stats as follows:

ph: 8.2
Ammonia : 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
temp: 24-26 degress c

[Timo]

Tank looks good but the pictures are very small can you take bigger ones? :D

[Paul0582]

so far looking good m8 what sort off stock are you thinking of when ready:D

[timclegg111]

hopefully this is bigger :p

[timclegg111]

and i was thinking of stocking, a few shrimp, different types of clowns not sure how many different types u can have, wanted 1 black and white, 1 snowdrop and 2 percula, and then anemonies to go with them, erm white goby, chromis, bangaii cardinals, my local fish shop gets new stock every few weeks so its a case of what tickles my fancy really :)

any ideas on stockings?

[Timo]

I would stick to just one pair of clowns, different species of clown can fight. 2 clowns a goby and shrimp will be fine, I would try to keep stocking small.

[oakwell]

not sure it would be a good idea putting more than 1 species of clowns in a tank that small. others will confirm this or not.

nice start mate keep up the good work and keep updating piccys

[timclegg111]

ok thankyou very much, i think it might just have to be a couple of orange perculas, because they seem the best looking, my local fish shop has a gorgeous white gobby, but i might ask to see a stock list, as they order from tmc,

im kinda lost on corals etc, i have no idea what to get? any ideas of easy to look after corals or anenomies?

[Jonesie]

Looking good.

No plans to sump it?

I have a rio125 in dark wood and there nice little tanks but im grateful i sumped it.
If you do decide to sump it then its easy enough to remove the filter box aswell though i did neally cut my finger off whilst removing it.

My only regret was not going bigger...which i am currently in the process of doing :p

As for coral..few softies - zoas, mushrooms ect.. as your only using the 2 x hi-lites this will have a restriction on what you can keep.
If you are after a halide for it then i have one for sale currently which i used above my rio, 150w MH + 2 x 39w KZ T5's + moonlights.

Peace

[Paul0582]

mushroom, toadstools are a good one for a beginer easy to look after

[michael.]

hey fella :)

yep looks very nice for your first tank, congrats on the new project, long term i know you will make changes though, the skimmer is ok but the pump is too intrusive, you may be better off with a smaller hang on which is less visible,and the internal filter needs removing as well imo, no need for it at all, a powerhead in its place will be a better bet, more available space as well, im not being critical at all buddy just stating what you will think in a few weeks, good luck with the tank and keep the pics coming :)

[stevieh]

nice rock work well done :)

[timclegg111]

thankyou all for the encouragement, and no worries i dont take help badly, as a novice the only way to learn is by asking and listening :)

and i wish i had taken the filter out now, but thats just how to learn, pretty happy with the rock placement however due to so many nooks and crannies i think graveling it may be a feat!

in the furture i may get a larger tank with a sump etc, and really wnt to do something a lil unusual, not decided yet, saw an article about dirlling the lr and then threding it on metal poles, however we shall see?

[mojo_mond]

i have drilled live rock just a few tips for u, dont use hammer action chances are the lr will split, and just use a sharp normal drill not a masonary, and unless u are going to use high quality stainless steel or titanium rod dont use metal, u can buy 6mm acrylic rod on ebay for about 5 squid a meter :D. oh and keep stocking levels very low best way to fail is to add to many fish, just speaking from experience been there done that! best of luck m8

[Mr Tang]

Hi There

OK tanks looking pretty good hope every things going well :).
But I noticed you said you had fitted reflectors to your T5 lights,
I take it that these are in the normal position on an I beam & if so not shielded, trouble is salt water will come into contact with them either through splashing and / or participation. this will over time cause them to dull & corrode they will then start to contaminate the water with aluminum oxide NOT GOOD :eek:. I would suggest you remove them & sort out some type of over tank lighting,

Best Regards Bry...

[earlybird_124]

looking good so far ;)