8G -> 24G upgrade

[fras]

Hi!

This is my new 24G tank, it's been up and running for around 5 weeks but I only aquascaped a week ago. Apart from 11kg of additional rock all stock is from a 10 month old 8G. It's been put together on a budget so pretty much everything is second hand.

Spec:
30Lx12Dx15H 24 US Gallon Peak aquatics tank with beech stand & hood.
Deltec MCE600 skimmer
2x24w T5 Arcadia Ballast with 1x blue, 1x white Aquamedic bulbs.
1x Maxijet powerhead

Some pics, tank is viewable from 2 long sides and 1 short side hence rock placement. Suggestions to improve are very welcome!

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/18april/side1.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/18april/corner.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/18april/end.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/18april/side2.JPG

[fras]

Forgot stock list! Really don't have much at the moment.

Corals are mostly softies with some LPS.
1 Bicolour blenny.

Future stocking plans are mostly LPS, a sixline wrasse and 2x cleaner shrimp.

Some more pics of equipment, first shows some piping for the skimmer inlet so the strainer doesn't sit in the middle of the tank:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/skimmerpipe.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/hoodcut.JPG

Additional 11kg of rock from YELLOW on this forum (many thanks)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/rock.JPG

[Millie]

That looks lovely. I love the aquascaping.

Millie

[zimreef]

Very nice - like the aquascaping. Some feat with just a 12" width - everything looks in proportion!

Very nice colour - what are the red/purple algae/corals(?) at the top of the rocks?

John

[fras]

Thanks both!

The red stuff is Bossiella sp, a kind of branching coralline algea.

Here's some growth shots of it from my old tank:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/tank/bossiella2.jpg

[zimreef]

That's quite stunning. Been interested in watching several algae species emerging from my new live rock - unfortunately none of these have been anywhere this spectacularly coloured!

Do you ever prune it? :D

John

[Daza]

Very nice tank mate. Great to see a smaller tank so obviously successful. I have a 20" cube "nano" used to have a 150 gallon reef took over my life! Small tanks are easier to maintain IMO.
Daza

[rockaria]

that looks really good! would never of thought it was so small! and i have to say i love the colour of that algae, beats alot of the sps hands down! :D

[fras]

Little update with a latest full tank shot, I've been battling bryopsis, cyano and flatworm issues but I think I'm getting there. Tank is now 5 months old time has flown.

Added an extra actinic bulb for a nice blue colour:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/lights.JPG

fts today:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/08Aug/080806.JPG

Sixline wrasse I've had for a few months:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/08Aug/wrasse.JPG

[fras]

Additions.

Frogspawn:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/Frog.JPG

Leather & Zoo's
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/leather.JPG

Cleaner shrimp (I have 2 of these)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/cleaner.JPG

I've also added 2 peppermints which have done a great job on my aiptasia but I rarely see them out during the day.

[zimreef]

Tank's looking good despite your problems. Excellent frogspawn! Nice sixline to add some movement to the tank!

John

[Tristan]

Stunning looking tank mate! i think i will do my next background in black! it looks so good!

[mj32]

Cool looking tank - great colours!

Is that algae something you added or just appeared out the rock! Would love to get some of that in my tank somehow :D

[maestro]

Your tank is looking really good, the balck background does add depth to the tank

[aberdeen aquarist]

tristan & maestro, he doesn't have a background on the tank, its viewable from both sides!!
the tank looks great, very well proportioned for the size of it.

[maestro]

tristan & maestro, he doesn't have a background on the tank, its viewable from both sides!!
the tank looks great, very well proportioned for the size of it.

Good point ;) from the first pic it definately looks black, must be the reflection

[fras]

thanks very much for all the comments, I know it's nothing amazing - would like to do something of a higher standard some day but i'm v pleased for now.

The red algea just grew out of a coral rock I bought about a year ago, I feel lucky to have it as it looks pretty good & fills areas I can't really afford to fill with corals at the mo! aberdeen aquarist is right there's no background - the tank shots were taken at night so the room is dark.

[JASONC1]

wot pumps you got on it?

[fras]

MJ600 & MJ1200 on a wave timer, about 20x turnover plus whatever the skimmer churns out.

[fras]

I've hit 8.5 months with this tank now, I added a phosphate reactor about a month ago to try and help with the slightly green rocks - I think they are gradually getting better.

Here's a recent FTS:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/25.11.06.JPG

New fish who is absolutely tiny!
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/clown1.JPG

A recently added mushroom type thing:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/fraser23/24g/yuma.JPG

I plan to move everything over to a sumped rio 125 quite soon.

[Reefer Madness]

Nice tank fras, just goes to show that they don't always have to be big to look impressive;)

[Tristan]

Looking good mate, that algae has taken off!

Do you keep an eye on your kh/calcium? Im only asking because your corraline algea does not seem to have taken off.

[fras]

no I have to say I don't, I do have the test kits & 2 part additive but I've been lapse. I don't think the red algea helps as it's a branching coralline & I also think the green rocks have been a hinderance too. There's the odd spot of coralline but nothing like some peoples tanks, it's something I plan to do regularly when I move everything over soon.

Thanks both for the comments.

[Tristan]

Cool, you will have to be a bit carefull because that algea would have sucked up every bit of calcium which will result in a very unstable environment for your fish.

[fras]

Yeah the thought has crossed my mind, whenever I've tested my calc has been around the 380 mark. I think the branching type is much like the normal type in that it stops growing unless calc is of a certain height - so I don't think it would suck it completely dry.

Once the algea calcifies & hardens it grows much more slowly, that's what's on the left. The stuff in the middle is soft/pre-calcified and grows much more quickly - I'm thinking of ditching the soft type.

[~Tony~]

Wow, love the colour of that Bossiella. Something really different.

[Cudders]

Nice tank mate. That algea is really different. Could make a wig out of the top one :D

Mark.