got the tank moved

[liquafaction]

I got that tank moved I just bought, what a pain.

They claim there is 100 pounds of live rock, but I think maybe 60. 110 gallon aquarium by the way. About 4" of crushed coral for the base. They had the rock stacked in manner that maybe 30% of it has like a purple algae, and a deep burgandy algae mixted (good stuff right?) There is also like this green/gray dusty looking algae, and red stringy algae (not good stuff right?) They had no clean up crew other than one emerald crab (dime size) that did not make the move. I am going to visit the LFS in the morning, and purchase a clean up crew (help, I am overwelmed) I was going to get some hermits, snails, and I would like to get a shrimp or 2.

There are 4 fish (I thought 3)
1) convict blenny about 5" long
2) a gramma of some sort about 4" long
3) a fire hawk (This is what they told me, I cannot find in my book) he is orange all the way through, and he likes to perch on rocks and look around. This guy is about 4" long.
4) Another fish that I cannot find in my book, and nobody else knows what he is. He is silver, tubular shaped, has bluish eyes, light red around the gills, and slowly turns to black as you near his rear. I will catch him out for feeding, and when everything is still and quiet, otherwise, he hides close to the blenny.

There is 3 types of filtration, plus a skimmer. Since everybody seems happy, I am going to remove filter one if you guys think it will be ok to do so. As far as I can tell from reading, over filtration will not really promote coraline algae growth, Is this true? How can I promote the growth of the purple and burgany algae?

1)hang on back skilter (I am removing)
2)canister filter.
3)plenum.

There are 4 leather corals, and 1 anemone that came along for the ride as well. They did not even know about the anemone, He was pirched up on a rock this morning all streched out. I also seen what looked like a few polyps on the live rock.


Thanks for your help guys, I am so excited!!!!

[mogurnda]

I'd love to see some pix when everything calms down. Try searching for flame hawkfish, which is what the guy sounds like. Is it really a skilter, or some other kind of skimmer? If it's a decent HOB skimmer, I'd keep it and dump the wet/dry. Coralline doesn't need much more that good Ca and alkalinity, plus some light. Filtration shouldn't affect its growth otherwise.

[liquafaction]

My camera is not the best in the world. When I get back from the pet store, I will post a few pics.

I believe you are right on the flame hawk fish. I said it was all orange, but he has a black pectoral.

Yes it is a skilter 400.

Is there any shrimp I would be safe to get with these fish?

[liquafaction]

I read that flame hawk likes pepermint shrimp. Are there any experienced opinions on that?

[liquafaction]

pics

[liquafaction]

pic

[liquafaction]

looks like a smelt

[BrianH]

The last one looks like a purple firefish with badly damaged fins.

Brian

[liquafaction]

How about a Scissor-Tail Goby, Blackfin Dartfish with damaged fins.

[kreblak]

Get rid of the skilter 400! I had one for 5 months, and it was the loudest, least effective piece of crap ever made! The skimmer, if you can call it that, produces very little foam and the venturi creates bubbles galore which seem to all make it into the tank. Plus, it is loud. I mean rock concert loud. Do yourself a favor and 86 that thing.

[liquafaction]

I pulled it of, and cleaned it up. I was waiting on opinions on what to do with it (use/chunk). I did not think it was very loud, but I did not see a whole lot of filter value in it. The air hose for the skimmer is pluged, so that was not even in use.

[kreblak]

In case you can't tell by the tone of my last post, I hate those d*mn things! They are expensive, too! Pure waste of money if you ask me. That air hose is what make them so especially loud. Mine rattled, vibrated, and made a general whooshing sound that was painful to listen to. I finally took a sledgehammer to the thing after I got my aquaclear 802's.

[mogurnda]

Ooooh, this tank has much potential....

[liquafaction]

"In case you can't tell by the tone of my last post."

I did not quite understand, does this mean you do not like it.........lol



"Ooooh, this tank has much potential...."


Though I am a beginner a, I was thinking the same thing. You saying that makes me feel like I have not wasted my money. There are a few things I do not like about it (crushed coral bed, the cabinet is kinda cheesy, and the lighting sucks)
I just pitched the live rocks in for now. I want to get my sand bed going in my other tank, and transport the rock, and critters to my other tank. I have a floor to ceiling oak cabinet I made for my other tank, and better lights. Basically what this tank needs is a fresh outlook, and some T.L.C. Today, I ordered a bunch of hermits, and some nassarius <spelling? snails. The local LFS only had a handfull of hermits (which I bought), and 2 Turbo snails (bought those to). Against my better judgement, I bought 3 pepermints which the hawk did not eat, but the gramma did. Well, he only ate one for now, now he is interested in the Turbos, which he keeps nudging with his nose. I may have to find a new home for him. I am afraid he is going to be against what I want to put in my tank. What I really want is a few Tangs. I think those guys are just the coolest thing since sliced bread. I am going to wait on any other fish untill I get everything settled in and going good.

[kreblak]

Sounds like things are progressing well. I look forward to more pictures of the tank, and of your destroyed skilter 400! ;)