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jake112005

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Posts posted by jake112005

    New and need all the learning I can get!

    in Welcome

    Posted

    This sounds like a great idea Patrick. I think I still have enough materials here to make another one. Only think I dont have laying around is a small power head for the water in. I will see about picking one up for the build video. I'm sure we could think of some fun way to do like a drawing or contest or something with it as a finished product. Let me know what you think.

    Jake

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    • Like 1

    Skunk shrimp babies

    in Reef Keeping

    Posted

    What confuses me is that I only have the one and it is all I have ever had since I've had my setup. Could it have been carrying these fertile eggs for over 6 months? Not so much worried about if I could raise them or not, but just curious how this could have happened with only one in my tank. I do have a peppermint shrimp has well, would this make a difference?

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    Skunk shrimp babies

    in Reef Keeping

    Posted

    How do skunk cleaner shrimp have babies? I just had one let hundreds of babies go, but I only have one. It has been in my tank since I set it up, so I don't think it came pregnant. Don't think many survived, all my fish got to them pretty quick and made a meal of them.

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    My first saltwater build...55gal

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    Are you referring to the plant in the back left? If so, it is just a fake plans my fiance put back there to add some height to that side. She said that side looks too bare. Still looking for a nice coral for that side. Maybe the tree when it grows up more.

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    My first saltwater build...55gal

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    I started out like most do in this game with freshwater fish. Got tired of the dull colors that freshwater was limited to and decided to venture to the saltwater world. Already had my 55gal aquarium, so I started my research on what I needed to get started. I was going to start this as simple and cost effective as I could, do to a limited budget. I like to try and make things in DIY style before I spend the all mighty dollar on expensive finished products from a retail store, and so I found myself at my local hardware store getting some 2x4's and other lumber do get a stand built. After completing my stand build, I stalked Craig's List everyday till someone was tearing down their saltwater setup do to a move and was able to get about 40 lbs of live rock for $1.00/lbs. I bought a few bags of live sand, crushed coral, and a big bag of aquarium salt from a local LFS. After getting my stand in place, and placing my empty 55gal on top, I guess it was time to start the cycling process. I put in my live sand and crushed coral for a good thick substrate bottom. Placed my live rock with a few peices Texas holy rock for a good sturdy base, and moved things around till my eyes were satisfied with the look. Now to mix the water. I got RO/DI water from the LFS and mixed it to a specific gravity level close to 1.025, as researched online for a reef talk. I already had in mind that I wanted reef friendly fish and beautiful corals as a goal. I added the water and then it was time to kick on the pumps and hang the lighting. I started out with a penguin HOB filter box with biowheel and a Fluval 305 canister filter. This got my water flowing around, and started to get it cycled. I later ended up adding another canister filter with a UV sterilizer for some added water movement in my tank. I don't use the canister filters for much filtration, I just put carbon in them and some filter floss. I figure my live rock and sandbed should do most of the filtering. I then researched how to make a DIY skimmer. After looking at the prices of them, I thought this would be the way to go. I decided the counter current method would be my build. With a little thought and creativity I was able to come up with something that worked. I got that installed, then I hung my lighting. All that was in my budget was to get a $10 hanging t8 light that held 2 bulbs. I put in a 10,000k ocean sun bulb and a 50/50 10,000k/actinic blue. I got a few led blue strips and put a switch on them for my moon light. After this was all done I went to the LFS and picked up a cleaning crew. I got a hand full of snails and a few crabs. Got them home and in the tank, then it was the waiting game for the cycle. I got it cycled and added a few reef friendly fish, and started enjoying a small piece of my own reef to look at whenever I wanted. Now that I have gone on about the setup I will ad some pictures and videos of what I have running right now. I plan on going much bigger once I'm not renting and have purchased a house. Thanks for reading and looking.

    Jake

    Building stand

    8e3a9yzu.jpg

    Before staining

    yny9yryd.jpg

    After staining

    7e3e3y3e.jpg

    Canisters used for water flow

    ygu7e2ab.jpg

    6are9upy.jpg

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