Shock's 55 Gallon

Shock

Well, I figured I would go ahead and throw up a thread for my tank since I have no assignemnts due for school tonight.


Well first alittle about me, since I never did the whole "Introduce yourself" in the other thread... My name is Jason, im 20, I am from Northern Virginia, but about 6 months ago moved down between Richmond and Williamsburg. I currently still live at home with the rents because im a full time student for University of Phoenix online getting my bachelors in Information Technology/Network Security. So i do alot of sitting at home, looking at my tank because I dont know anyone down here where I live. (I have a 3.92 GPA though so its ok school comes first) I am currently waiting for a req. to be opened so I can put in for my clearence to work as a government contractor working where my father works. My girlfriend of 2 years moved to Germany (army brat) about 6 months ago to do the same thing im doing, sit at home and do school. But that just means I get cheap trips to europe. I jsut got back early February from a 4 week stay over there. It was AWESOME!

Here is a pic of us being retards, and I always think its cool to see some faces to go with names. so here we are first pic is at her senior beach week last summer. And the second one is from my Birthday a few weeks ago of us walking around while it was snowing at night in Germany!

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/IMG_0821.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/IMG_3706.jpg


But anyways. This is my first saltwater tank. My family has had 1 before, but didnt know much about salt, so it wasnt very successful. But my uncle has a 125 Reef and got me to try my own tank. here is a snapshot of his tank http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...0/IMG_1352.jpg



Well I have a 55 Gallon FOWLR (for now) with about 70 lbs of sand and I dont know how much rock to be honest, it was 20$ for everything you see in the tank LFS was moving location and was selling off rock. The tank was set up beginning of November 2007.

Shock

Equipment:
-Remora w/Skimmer box (Thanks to Nereaga)
-Koralia 2
-Flourescents 1-Atinic 1-Daylight both 36 Watts Need upgrading SOON!

Livestock:


-4 Blue/Green Chromis


-2 Ocellaris Clowns


-1 Cleaner Shrimp "Steven"

HERE IS A VIDEO OF STEVEN CLEANING http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/d...t=PC030005.flv


-1 Lawnmower Blenny "Lenny"

-About 35 snails of different species.

Shock

And my Yellow Tailed Damsel who has been in the tank since the beginning



RIP:

-Peppermint Shrimp "Jared"
~In one night time I believe Steven got ahold of Jared (They have a feud dating back 2 months) By the time i woke up NOTHING was left but poor Jareds antennas.




This is just the flash on to see some colors on the live rock....




I would like to convert my tank over to a reef slowly, but I need new lights.

Tank Params have been VERY stable, No ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate since cycle.

Well I guess thats it.. Ill keep it updated as stuff happens, but thats rare other than finding new featherdusters and what not. But i need to get a new fish or coral or something!!!!

Nereaga

Hey Jason,

That skimmer box looks good!

Seriously though the tank looks nice and clean. I like the way the rock has been placed aswell. With those lights you have, you have a good amount of coraline algae growing...

New lights will be cool. Have any idea on what you are looking into getting?

Brad

Shock

Thanks Brad!

Im really unsure of what I want for lights, i found a great deal on some metal halides. (which im trying to figure out what i want in the other thread in general discussion) But Im thinking 2 metal halides, 175 watts. and not sure on what bulbs or anything. im confused with lights

dawgfan1

Wow, Shock, that is a great looking tank, I also have a 55 gallon. I don't have as much live rock as you have (not yet) but your tank looks great. Brad is right your algae looks good, the crew looks healthy and happy, nice.

That is what I called my blenny

Wow, what a deal, did you send the LFS a card and thank them

Shock

Thanks DawgFan.

The woman named the blenny. go figure. And the LFS sold about 10-15 times that all for 20$ per styro box full. So good deals went out to people.

Thanks again for all the kind words

Shock

Well I might get some crap for this, but I did it anyways. I bought a little spotted mandarin. hes about inch and a half long. He seems to be doing fine, he floats around all day looking for food in the liverock. Lenny (my blenny) has opened his doors to the mandarin and they sleep together at night in Lenny's house/hiding spot. My pod population is very high, im not worried about him not having enough food, during the day if u shine a flashlight into the rocks u can see many pods swimming around. and at night the sand is COVERED in pods. If only the mandarin would hunt at night time and not sleep he would be gigantic huge.

But anyways. here is a picture of my new fishie



Just checked water params, and its still perfect no ammonia, nitrate or nitrite, ph at 8.2 SG- 1.024

Shock

Well I lost 2 oh my chromis last week or so, not sure why. did a big water chagne and everyone has been fine. I ordered lights four T5s, they should be here on tuesday. so tuesday i will throw up some before and after pics. I think the new lights are gonna look really good. I went with T5s becasue my room gets so hot up to about 80* today. I dont like the AC to much its loud. lol ( 1 ac unit on a single room kinda overkill stupid builders) but i figured MH would heat up the water too much so T5s it was. next tank (bigger) will get MH.

Everyone is happy water is crystal clear. started feeding them every other day because im trying to get rid of this damn bubble algae ive been fighing for months.

hopefully end of next week i can buy something as in corals, i dont even care if its a little frag lol (corals are freaking expensive at my LFS)

Shock

IM EXCITED!!!! i watched my mandarin chase after frozen brine shrimp today, she ate alot of it!!! im super happy that she eats prepared foods!!!!!! tomorrow off to LFS!