Reef Tank at Four Months !!

Timeline...

Protein Skimmer

Now that the tank has more biomass and I am feeding a Pooka, I want to use a protein skimmer to remove the dissolved organics before they break down.  I have a CPR BacPak 1 protein skimmer, but the noise from the waterfall overflow and venturi air intake is too loud in the guest room where the tank is located.  I modified the unit so the water returns silently to the tank.  Instead of creating bubbles with a noisy venturi, I am using a wooden airstone.  Now the skimmer runs much quieter.

 The skimmer extracted dry foam and dark green liquid the day after we gave Pooka a heavy feeding.  Since adding the skimmer, the corals are open more and look better than ever.

Snail

I have only seen this cute snail three times, but it has doubled in size to a 1/4 inch long since the first sighting.

Day 114, September 18, 2011

Everything in the aquarium has been growing very nicely.  I moved the Gold Capnella and Pulsing Xenia to make room for the Hammer Coral, but for the most part, I have been trying to keep my hands out of the tank.  I was hoping to get a Goby as my first fish, but my daughter fell in love with this Talbot's Damsel (Chrysiptera talboti).  Her name is Pooka and she has been thriving since we introduced her a couple of weeks ago.  The Yellow scroll coral (Turbinaria reniformis) frags in the foreground are my first Small Polyp Stony corals.  Once they are happy, I will epoxy them onto a rock closer to the light.