Journey's journey into SW Aquaria

journey0820 said:
I got the package on Friday night and today is Monday. I did my very first water change Saturday evening I think and I have done one Sunday morning and evening and again this morning in order to keep the ammonia below 1ppm. I can't find anything big dying off so I'm just assuming this is the normal part of adding bunches of life all at once. Even the sponges appear healthy.

I went to my LFS to get water today (here's a surprise for everyone...they were out so I have to go back later). He is totally confused...he's like...5 gallon water changes? Twice a day? No, honey...just let the ammonia spike. I tried to explain that this is a different process but...you know how it goes. I may just need to splurge on my own RO filter...he has them for 80 dollars for a small one. What do you all think?
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Definately recommend getting your own RO or RO/DI unit. If they're out now and you have to go back later, what are you going to do if you need to do an emergency water change and they're out. That's the reason I brought mine, that and it does save you money in the long run!
 
im sooo glad my water passes the requirements to use for sw because my LFS is horrable with keeping water in stock. every time i go in they are telling someone they are out and a good RO unit in my area is like 200. they deff are over charged around here
 
Are you sure you have a mantis?
and ill definately look into a porcupine puffer...
are they reef safe... i had one in my dads old tank, but i knew nothing about SW then...and i think the PP's are awesome looking...
 
80 is probably too low for a decent unit. Home Depot has a $170 GE that can produce 10g/day.
 
Boo. I would prefer a cheap good one (RO).

As for the mantis...yup...have laid eyes and ears on him. I suppose he could be a pistol and I have them mixed up but he's definitely a shrimp, definitely has eyes on little stubs like antenna and definitely likes to click. There is a trap awaiting him.
 
Water params are stabilizing...hooray, hooray. Only 3 days of WC X 2 daily. Still testing every day just to be sure...lots of new life...don't want to take any chances but it's exciting to see the tank correcting the params by itself.

Everybody is still healthy so far. Keeping fingers crossed. Just ordered the Conscientious Aquarist.
 
Porcupine puffers are SOOOOO hard to resist when you see them at the LFS. I have had 2 of them, one in my reef tank for a short time (6 months) without issue. But I ended up taking both of them back to my LFS when they got too big, which in my small tank happened in 6 months time. You just can't resist them when they follow you around with that smile on their face! Still, it is going to be a long time before I try one again.. 250G or bigger tank for me/puffer.

Those are some awesome freebies with your rock. I am jealous.. best things I ever got were some brown button polyps or mushrooms.

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Ace, I can't even take how cute those fish are. Thank goodness the LFS isn't like the humane society (putting animals down if not placed fast enough) or I'd end up with another tank just to save the little guy.

Thanks for the compliments. I still hear from Richard at TBS frequently as he is checking in on my tank and making sure I know what I'm doing. It's been super helpful since the cycle is so different than others that I've read, to have him checking in on us and offering advice.

I plan to start a new thread for debates on tank start ups. I've appreciated that everyone's been supportive in here...but I also think it would be fun in a separate place to debate various start up methods - including this one.
 
Wow, hadn't read most of this thread till now.. how do I place an order. ;) I have never seen live rock that looked that good, not even mine after 5 years. Wonder how a shipment would go all the way to cali.. can be done via overnight.. but wow.. expensive. I am only looking for around 50-60# myself.
 
I ran into some material about mantis. there are basically 2 kinds of mantis: the spearer and smasher.

By observation, if your finger has entry and exit wounds, then it is a spearer. If your finger nail and bone is shattered with 1 kick, then likely it is a smasher.

Scientists, however, couldn't agree on which would cause more pain.
 
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