Tank Progression: 60 gallon

[defool89]

Free corals? Wooo hoo
....
Premature.celebration..nvm no bueno

[*GSP*Fan*]

Free corals? Wooo hoo
....
Premature.celebration..nvm no bueno

Haha, I was hoping. Unfortunately an algae.

http://marineplantbook.com/marinebookneomeris.htm

[Pufferpunk]

I meant just when your installing the skimmer. The light should fit nicely over it.

[*GSP*Fan*]

I meant just when your installing the skimmer. The light should fit nicely over it.

Oh okay, good to know! You can tell I haven't even messed with setting it up yet Well thats not an issue at all and certainly easier than any other option. I thought the skimmer would be too tall to fit under the light just by looking. I really need to get work on getting it set up and testing first to make sure there are not leaks.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Just a bit of an update as to what is going on at the moment.

My RO/DI unit is up and running as of two days ago. I have the first batch of mixed water ready for the first WC (I'll perform when I get home from work tonight) with RO/DI and enough RO/DI water waiting to be mixed for the next WC and for topoff. It is filtering a little slower than expected (even so, I've managed to overflow already ) but I believe that it is because of both my water pressure (no way to measure currently and the water temp, been pretty cold here lately). But I'm happy to be using best water for my tank even if it is a slower process.

I had my skimmer set up and ready to go (it will fit on the side of my tank underneath the light but not on the back without moving the tank) and then noticed a crack on the side of the chamber where the water outlet is located. The crack itself isn't too bad but it was leaking (slow drip) from the crack after I got it up and running. No other issues with the skimmer, I believe I'll be very happy with it. I patched over the crack with a little tape to see how the skimmer would work and it was already producing skimmate after the first 24hrs or less. I do have to say I'm very satisfied with Coralvue, their warranty, and customer service. I contacted them regarding the skimmer arriving damaged and I was asked to email pictures and action would be taken from there. After emailing them pictures (tape removed) I was the told a replacement would be sent and they would arrange for UPS to pick up the damaged part to be returned. UPS picked up the package holding the damaged part yesterday and the new part was sent out end of last week, expecting it any day. The woman I spoke with was friendly and I was not given any trouble whatsoever with having the part replaced.

Also, I received a gift certificate for saltwaterfish.com and placed an order for the next additions to my tank. I have two ocellaris clowns (one b&w), and two coral frags coming. Pretty excited to see more life in my tank beside the CUC and blenny (who is still doing great). Provided everything continues to go well after the new addition I believe the puffer will be the next and final addtion, in terms of fish.

It feels great seeing the tank coming together! I will post pictures of the new additions after they arrive (should be tomorrow).

[bertie 83]

Whack a little aquarium grade silicon over the crack and you should be all gravy. I can't imagine tape will hold long term, which is what u are after. You don't want that on your mind

[Pufferpunk]

Awww... too bad about the crack. I figured it would fit. Try silicone on it.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Whack a little aquarium grade silicon over the crack and you should be all gravy. I can't imagine tape will hold long term, which is what u are after. You don't want that on your mind

The skimmer is acrylic and after reading/researching I was under the impression silicone would not bond with acrylic or at least wasn't the best option. Weld-on seemed to be a popular choice. I was going to repair it but thought I'd contact the company first since they do have a warranty. Thankfully they covered their product without any issues.

The skimmer is not running now, I took it down and removed the tape to take photos and send the damaged part back. It was only running just over 24hrs or so. The tape was what I had on hand and was just a temporary solution to see how it would run. I should be getting the new part within the next day or so.

Awww... too bad about the crack. I figured it would fit. Try silicone on it.

Yeah, I was definitely disappointed about the crack. Especially after learning it would be easier than I expected to get it up and running since I didn't have to move the tank. You were certainly right, it fits right on the side. It is a little tight width-wise, just enough space for the skimmer and legs of the light. Much better than having to basically empty the tank just to move it an inch or so. It would look better on the back though Thing is huge!

[bertie 83]

Glad they are sorting it for you, for future reference silicon will bond acrylic so long as it is slightly keyed up. PVC pipe weld and polystyrene cement are good for bonding such materials but are not something I would use in a fish tank.

[Pufferpunk]

For some reason I thought it was a used skimmer. I didn't know that about acrylic & silicone.

[*GSP*Fan*]

For some reason I thought it was a used skimmer. I didn't know that about acrylic & silicone.

Oh no, it was brand new. It was actually a Christmas gift from my mom. It came from a store on Ebay but was shipped from Coralvue so they took responsibility for the damage.

I wouldn't have either had I not came across it when I was searching for information on repairing/sealing a cracked skimmer. The silicone was my first thought and if it wouldn't have been as late as it was when I was setting it up and saw the crack I would have went to the store and picked some up. I don't know the specifics and didn't research using the silicone specifically. But when I searched about repairing the skimmer any discussion that mentioned silicone regarding acrylic stated it would not work. Weld-on was always suggested for sealing or bonding acrylic in anyway and apparently there are different forms/consistencies depending on the purpose.

Anyway, glad it is being replaced so I don't have to worry about any repairs.

[*GSP*Fan*]

My order from saltwaterfish.com arrived yesterday around 11am. (photos below) My order consisted of two ocellaris clown fish (one b&w) one blue snowflake polyp frag and one mushroom frag. It was my first time ordering anything live, besides rock, online but it seemed to be packed quite well to me. Everything seemed in good shape upon arrival also. I drip acclimated both clownfish separately for about two hours and released them into the tank with no issues. My blenny did not even seem to notice the new additions and the clowns immediately stuck together once in the tank. I also placed both coral frags in the tank, on the sandbed to begin with. I had a hard time getting the mushroom in a space that the flow was not too strong ( I have since researched this issue). I was pressed for time by this point and thought I had the mushroom in a place where the flow was not going to carry it off. I guess I was wrong as I could not find the mushroom when I got home from work late last night. I was also extremely disappointed to see my b&w clown missing. After some searching I found him stuck in the filter. I knew this sort of thing can happen but it did not cross my mind when I had added the two clowns and now I feel terrible. The filter isn't even up and running often, I just had it on after performing a water change and blowing off the rocks to help clear up the water some, especially since I can't get my skimmer up and running just yet. The b&w was the smaller of the two which is why I'm assuming he was able to be sucked up by the filter. I understand this seems to usually happen when a fish is not doing well but from what I saw he was in great shape when I left for work. Between the two he actually was livelier in the bag and during acclimation. If I had been home I may have noticed immediately since the tank is in my living room but unfortunately I was not. Anyway, I have certainly learned my lesson and do have a second clown ordered.

Today my additional order of live rock (10lbs) came in (after about two months because of issues with the post office). It is now curing in a 5 gallon bucket. It looks like nice rock and I look forward to adding it to my display.

Few photos of the packaging






Acclimating





In the tank

[Pufferpunk]

I drip acclimated both clownfish separately for about two hours

2 hours? Why?
It's too bad they didn't send you that shroom mounted to something. Did you find it?

[*GSP*Fan*]

I drip acclimated both clownfish separately for about two hours

2 hours? Why?
It's too bad they didn't send you that shroom mounted to something. Did you find it?

I wasn't really sure how just how long to acclimate and I was also following the directions from saltwaterfish.com. Also partially longer because I was doing all of this while my daughter was up and I was the only one home. It made things a little more difficult.

The mushroom may have actually been attached because there was a small piece of rock in the bag with it but it definitely was not attached when I opened the box. I have not found it yet. There was not evidence that it had went into the filter, which is now removed and its not in an area that can be easily seen by me. I'm sure it could have made it into a power head or something but I haven't seen any evidence of that either, though I'm not quite sure how easily it will be noticed if that is what happened. I'm hoping it turns up.

The polyps seems to be doing well as they were extended and opened up today. I did order some more mushrooms (two) along with another fish and leather coral. One mushroom is a frag but I'll be prepared for it this time around, the other two corals are not so will definitely be attached to rock.

[*GSP*Fan*]

The replacement part for my skimmer came in today so I'll finally be able to get this skimmer up and running permanently