Just starting my journey for me and my 2 daughters

[Extremeengineer]

It is so much fun to include the kids. My 7 yr. old daughter has post it notes stuck to the side of our stand with each fishes name and what kind of fish they are. Every morning she tells me who is out and where the shrimp is lol.

I second the water change schedule, my kids love helping get the mixing pump going and checking salinity. If only I could get them to make the RODI for me...

 

[Shnetts]

welcome aboard!!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Chris and daughters. Your tank is looking good. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Mr.Robot]

Welcome to Reef2Reef, Chris!

The tank is looking fantastic so far! Looks like you've got some Xenia (right) and Zoas (left). If you can post a clearer picture of the Zoas, I'm sure someone can further ID them. Also, it's a good idea that you've already put those Xenia on their own island. Those guys spread like crazy! It may not hold them out for long, though.

Great info I thought the Zoas was going to spread like crazy not the Xenia. I’ll have to scoot it further away.

Attached are some clearer pictures

 

[smitten with ocean life]

a warm welcome!

 

[kindafun]

Welcome!

One nice thing about nano tanks is that you get a close up view of everything in the tank. I had a 10 gal tank with a son and we loved that.

 

[Mr.Robot]

Welcome aboard. Don't let the girls talk you into a Dory

Literally the first thing the 3 year old said after “Nemos” were in the tank. “I want dory in there”

 

[Mr.Robot]

Welcome aboard. Don't let the girls talk you into a Dory

Literally the first thing the 3 year old said after “Nemos” were in the tank.

 

[Gman83]

Welcome!

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hello,
I am brand new and so excited to begin this journey. I have a 2 toddler daughters and tanks to them (and of course the movie
‘Finding Nemo’ I am finally able to start my journey of owning a saltwater aquarium.

Despite the desire and the smarter choice to go big, we set up a brand new Fluval Sea EVO 13.5 gallon tank.

After making our own salt water and passing all the test at the aquatic warehouse we were able to purchase a pair of clownfish today as well as two very small corals to start.

Any tips or tricks are definitely needed and would be greatly appreciated. Already found a lot of helpful answers on here that eliminated a lot of stress and anxiety.

Also if someone could please help me identify the two corals I have that would be amazing.

Thank you all and look forward to working with you all in the future. I apologize now as I will probably be asking the same old questions everyone ask. Haha

-Chris

Hi Chris and Welcome! This is a great family hobby and your children will learn a lot from your having saltwater tank(s) in your home. Glad you have already found answers by searching the Forums and reading your findings. It sounds like you will fit right in here!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Welcome! One thing I would suggest is not to just rely on the store to tell you what your tank is doing. Its nice to have a few good tests to tell you what your reef needs (after them telling you that you are cycled). Highly recommend both Salifert tests for Alk and Ca and Hanna tests for low range phosphate and nitrate. You want to be in the driver's seat every week. You may wake up and decide you want to put some SPS pieces in way down the road. You want to know each week if your nutrients are in an ok range (have skyrocketed or bottomed out), which can both kill your coral. Some test every other day, some test every other week.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

you also got 2 very easy to house corals. Zoas are my favorite coral and they are pretty hardy. Xenia- its cool if it is pulsing but it is very invasive. I would keep it on an island away from any of your rockwork. You want the good stuff growing on rocks and Xenia will take over all of it if you let it.

 

[aztoza]

Welcome, cool tank! Just enjoy every step of the way =)

 

[Buckster]

Hello Chris and Welcome to R2R! I couldn't add corals for almost a year. Unfortunately anything I added early died. I know others on this site have commented about the luck that they had while introducing them in the early stages.

 

[reinert]

Welcome

 

[PharmrJohn]

Mentioning your daughters struck a chord with me. Only difference would be age. Mine is 22 and still with us at our humble domicile. I'll be teaching her everything I know once we get the build going. And your tank looks great.

So Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!!!!

 

[Raineforrest]

☆☆☆ Welcome to r2r! ☆☆☆

 

[Vakagar]

Exactly my experience with my toddler daughter, we're starting soon after the rest of my gear arrives. +1 for creating memories with our kids while embracing new hobbies!