Hi! Newbie Here. welcoming all advice!

[Salty-Sailor]

Just Started my new 55G reef tank 11-28-2016

So far i think im in the right direction but probably should be keeping track of my levels a little better, at least more then just bringing in water samples to the local saltwater aquarium shop and the very nice gentlemen tells me im doing good lol

Looking for advice on things i should be adding or progressing IE: new equipment, fish, coral,worker crew, more live rock, liquid additives, etc. etc???

here's what i have so far.

Equipment: 55Gallon tank not drilled.
38lbs of live rock.
10lbs imagination rock.
50lbs live sand.
aquetech 30-60 duel filters.
reef octopus classic 100 HOB protein skimmer.
Current USA orbit IC Led 48in-60in Light
Current USA 660GPH wavemaker 100% steady stream/current + 2100GPH Wavemaker set at 50% waves setting.
300Watt heater set at 76degrees.

worker crew:
4Hermit grabs.
2Emerald Crabs.
1Trochus Snail.

Fish:
2 Yellow tail damsels

 

[melypr1985]

Welcome to R2R! I think we need a picture or 10

 

[MaiReef]

Welcome to R2R! If you do not have a test kit, I would suggest getting one. Red Sea's are easy to use.

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and as Meredith said above, we will need some pictures as proof!!!

 

[Salty-Sailor]

Welcome to R2R! I think we need a picture or 10

Can DO! and thanks for the welcoming! anything in particular picture wise? Progressions? close ups? etc.

 

[melypr1985]

Can DO! and thanks for the welcoming! anything in particular picture wise? Progressions? close ups? etc.

Anything at all. We love pictures around here

 

[Salty-Sailor]

Welcome to R2R! If you do not have a test kit, I would suggest getting one. Red Sea's are easy to use.

Thanks! i will pick up a test kit today, Not sure why i haven't done this already. oops.

 

[kschweer]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Salty-Sailor]

Here are a few pictures that i have handy! ask away if more in dept photos needed. thank you all!

 

[MaiReef]

Love the setup

 

[Salty-Sailor]

Love the setup

Thank you! I really appreciate that. a lot more work then i had thought going into it but im both feet in ready to do what needs to be done

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Bunnee911]

Howdy

Good choice on the trochus snail. I would add a few more.
Is that GHA (green hair algae) starting? You absolutely don't have to put up with that stuff now. We have come a long way baby.

 

[cromag27]

Welcome!

 

[Salty-Sailor]

Howdy

Good choice on the trochus snail. I would add a few more.
Is that GHA (green hair algae) starting? You absolutely don't have to put up with that stuff now. We have come a long way baby.

The GHA was preexisting on live rock that i purchased from my local saltwater aquarium store. should i let the worker crew take care of it or use something to kill it off?

 

[Salty-Sailor]

pH levels are at 8.2 & alkalinity levels measured around 6-7 dKH

I also added two more emerald Crabs and a sand sifting star.

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R, very nice looking set up

 

[Bronc]

Welcome aboard!! Looking good!!

 

[Ljaus]

Welcome to R2R, you are off to a great start. Don't forget to start a build thread

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

welcome to the club, glad to have you here.

I started out very similar to you, decent sized tank with hang-on-back accessories... you can be very successful with a setup like that and plenty of people are.
If you're into DIY you might want to consider building and external sump and incorporating it into your system. Its a fun project and super beneficial to the tank. However if it ain't broke don't fix it, you can be successful with what you have already