Finally made the plunge at the end of 2023 into reefkeeping with a IM 50g Lagoon---Or my money pit as I'm calling it now. It's been a unique adventure thus far. Going through a really ugly stage right now. Not sure if I should make some adjustments or adds or let it be for now.
Equipment:
Current parameters courtesy of my Hanna HI97115---buy one. life changing for someone who hates to test
Here is the tank. It's looking rough in this ugly stage. Have some funky algae issues. Definitely hair algae. Not sure on the others.
Duncans looking good
Blue ring on the left, rainbow acan on the right. You can't see the bubble algae that's growing next to the rainbow.
Starry night ricordea
Superman discosoma just waving.
IMG_6625 by AJ, on Flickr
Radioactive ricordea. It used to be 5x the size when it was on it's plug before it detached itself. Ugh. And whatever kind of algae that is taking over.
And the really ugly in the tank. This algae. I need something that will want to feast on it. It's everwhere.
Where I need some advice:
Algae control---what can I add to help get some of the algae under control given I have a 50gal? Considering a lawnmower blenny
Mushrooms---these things are supposed to be easy. What gives? Too clean of water?
Emerald Crabs for the beginnings of bubble algae? Worth the risk of them going after coral or other critters?
What other coral should I consider? Not really wanting Zoas.
Equipment:
- 2 AI Prime 16 lights; currently running an AI Signature Program (Andrew Orozco)
- 2 nero 3's, and the stock pump. Random program at 15% min, 48% max, low variance-- 2nd is set up as a child 75% max and 90 degree phase
- MightyJet 22W/24V 538 GPH DC Return Pump w/ Controller
- Aquamaxx HOB 1.5 skimmer---this thing is a beast My water might be too clean.
- tunze ATO
- Salt: Reef Crystals
- One clown (Spike); His partner (Drusilla) jumped through a VERY small gap in my cover.
- 2 springeri damsels
- 2 Turbo Snails
- 2 Trocus Snails
- 2 Nassarius Snails
- Coral:
- Icy Blue Duncan (happy and adding new heads)
- Neon Green Duncan - (very happy and lots of new heads)
- Superman Discosoma - (seems ok)
- Sky Blue Discosoma - not happy. Detached from the rock and wanders.
- Toxic Waste Ricordea (doesn't look happy and seems to be shrinking)
- Starry Night Ricordea (seems to be ok---nice and puffy)
- Radioactive Ricorda (it detached from its plug and is now in the sand bed)
- Rainbow Kaleidoscope Acan (2nd head in the works)
- Blue Ring Acan (what was 2 heads is now 4)
Current parameters courtesy of my Hanna HI97115---buy one. life changing for someone who hates to test
- ph: 8.1
- Alkalinity: 6.9dKh
- Calcium: 415ppm
- Magnesium: 1225 ppm
- Nitrate: 0ppm (this was surprising as prior to this week had been around 5ppm)
- Phosphate: 0.02ppm (had been zero prior to this week)
Here is the tank. It's looking rough in this ugly stage. Have some funky algae issues. Definitely hair algae. Not sure on the others.
Duncans looking good
Blue ring on the left, rainbow acan on the right. You can't see the bubble algae that's growing next to the rainbow.
Starry night ricordea
Superman discosoma just waving.
IMG_6625 by AJ, on Flickr
Radioactive ricordea. It used to be 5x the size when it was on it's plug before it detached itself. Ugh. And whatever kind of algae that is taking over.
And the really ugly in the tank. This algae. I need something that will want to feast on it. It's everwhere.
Where I need some advice:
Algae control---what can I add to help get some of the algae under control given I have a 50gal? Considering a lawnmower blenny
Mushrooms---these things are supposed to be easy. What gives? Too clean of water?
Emerald Crabs for the beginnings of bubble algae? Worth the risk of them going after coral or other critters?
What other coral should I consider? Not really wanting Zoas.