My hex tank adventure into the saltwater.

[hex_reef_guy]

So I have 2 koralia 550s on the way. $52 shipped. Not too bad. I also got a timer powerstrip that has 2 day and 2 night outlets and 4 constant. I was thinking of running my main light and a powerhead on the day outlets, my refuge light on a night outlet, and the second powerhead on a constant along with the skimmer, return pump, and heater. That way I will have full powerheads during the "day" and one at "night." Any objections to that? I dont want to piggyback a powerstrip off a powerstrip. Electrical no-no. Ask my brother who lost his house to electrical outlet failure. (Family is ok and insurance got him a nice big new house so its all good) Im too paranoid to test my luck on that. especially in an older apartment building.

 

[little_fish]

I think that is a good plan! The ocean is a bit calmer at night too.

 

[hex_reef_guy]

So today was pretty awesome. My apartment complex's washing machine is broke so I went to a laundromat with the idea that while laundry was going I would stop into a LFS a block away. I use to be a member there 5 years ago but after I moved its a bit out of the way. I took this laundry opp to make the trip knowing that was a laundromat was right there. What a great way to spend a couple hours in a fish store hanging out. Turns out, they are sponsors for the Twin Cities Marine Aquarium Society, (which I will be joining at the next frag swap) and offering the members of TCMAS wholesale prices on CUCs. So I got 6 asterea snails ($6), a Mexican Turbo($1), 2 Peppermint shrimp($8), and an emerald crab($3) for $19.58! Before the discount is was going to be somewhere around $50-60. I love getting a deal. Here they are acclimating.

 

[hex_reef_guy]

I wish I had a sweet camera that took quality pics so I could win pico and get some free stuff. :) These took about 20 different shots to get anything good. I like em though.

 

[little_fish]

That is a great deal on those critters!

 

[Smitty]

Congrats on the new additions...

 

[NanoReefer]

congarts man great to see your progress

 

[ErinCahir]

Cute pick ups!

 

[beeguiles]

Very nice. I need to beef up my cuc come to think of it.

 

[hex_reef_guy]

so my koralia 550s showed up yesterday. They seemed alot larger than I expected once I put one in the tank. I held off on the second one because it seemed overkill. Because of the hex tank I had no idea where to place it. Well I came home today after work and my corals seem much less happy. I will post pics tomorrow morning, day off, woot woot! planning a water change. Also, I noticed after I put the my shrimp in the tank that I have a small cove that goes under my rocks where I didnt quite get sand into and now the shrimp just hang out in there during the day. I want to fill it in so bad but I feel as though the shrimp will never come out and I will bury them in there if I fill it. Any thoughts?

 

[NanoReefer]

when you go dfown there to move the sand theyll come out

 

[hex_reef_guy]

I need some advice on my flow.

I added two koralia 550s on the recommendations I do, however, now my corals are closing up and not coming out to how full they were before. Here is the location of the powerheads.

This is what the corals looked like a week ago, very happy! :D

Now today after having the powerhead on for 36 hours. Sad :grumble: I have never fragged anything before but think my hammer is growing outwards a lot and maybe I should try to on him. Or is this a Calcium deficiency?

The duncan looks really bad.

What do you guys think I should do? I am current running both Powerheads during the "day" and one at "night." NEED HELP/

 

[little_fish]

Dont point the power heads directly at the corals, instead point them at the walls of the tank. That will keep the good amount of flow, but make it a bit more random and less intense in some spots.

Also, the corals look fine. Just give them a few days to adjust.

 

[Smitty]

+1 lil fish...lps's don't like a whole lot of flow.

 

[beeguiles]

+1 fish and smitty. I would point them more towards the glass.

 

[hex_reef_guy]

Added some more rock to my tank yesterday.

I think this is about as much as I am going to put in it. I have a nice cove for the perculas I plan on getting once someone takes my tomato off my hands but no one wants him :(

Got a frag swap this saturday! First one and am I pumped! Took the day off for it. Also going to look at some zoas tom at a dudes house who lives like 5 blocks away.
Here is the linnk to where I found them. What you guys think?
Zoanthids, Soft Coral, Saltwater Corals

 

[little_fish]

Looks good! And those are some great prices for zoas

 

[Smitty]

Have fun at your frag swap...they are exciting. Bring lots of small bills. :)

 

[hex_reef_guy]

Lots of small bills...got it. Zoas should be alright for my leds right? and as far as mushrooms I have no idea. I am trying to get as much color in my tank as possible with the leds.. My hammer is still kind of stalled out after the addition of the koralias. I am trying to find a lower flow area to place it. As far as attaching corals to rock, what is the recommendation for that? I have found low flow areas but a plug will not balance on the rock or the snails and crab knock it off. Frustrating.

 

[hex_reef_guy]

oh yeah. When I was moving rock around and stacking the new rock that shy little brittle star finally cam out to say "Hi." Lets just say I about crapped myself when I saw it and went running for my camera. I took this pic, was checking it out on the camera then I went to take another and poof, he was gone. I shall name him Phantom.