Nick's 40g Build
 

So I just moved and it is finally time to setup my first tank! Waiting on delivery of the stand before I can fill it with water. Pics to come soon. Thanks in advance for your help as a start my adventure.

Equipment:
40g Breeder (36" x 18" x 16")
36" Aquatinics TX5 light
Aqua C Remora w/ Maxi Jet 1200 and prefilter box
2x Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050
Refractometer from Marine Depot
Big Bucket of Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
20g Rubbermaid Brute trashcan
300 gph powerhead for making water
200w Rena Heater
API ReefMaster test kit
B-ionic 2 part
Mag Float glass cleaner
75gpd RODI unit from Bulk Reef Supply
40 lbs dry rock from Marcos
40 lbs dry sand from Marcos
sheet of light difuser
GE 1 Silicone

Sounds exciting! Looking foward to pics!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/njudson/4596954521/

More pics soon when you can actually see something. Hmm I'm doing something wrong linking the pic but I put it in my albums for anyone that is curious.

Figured it out :)
 

oh yeah now you are hooked>> good deal this is great..... nice job

Starting to clear, no signs of life yet
 

and the questions begin
 

Saw the first signs of life last night. A gorgeous little aiptasia ... is it safe to use a product like Joe's Juice on such a young tank? (added live rock on 5/9) My best bet is to kill it before it really gets out of hand right?

Also saw something that I think is a small brownish coral. It doesn't have the long tentacles like the aiptasia. It's rounder and looks more like a polyp or a zoa.

I've been running my lights for 4-5 hours after I get home from work to try and keep any light needing creatures alive.

I will try to get some pictures tonight. Anyone have tips for getting good close up shots without a macro lens? I have a Nikon D60 which is a great camera but the lenses I have are for taking action shots of sports.

I haven't tested my water at all yet because I bought an API Reefmaster test kit thinking it was the saltwater test kit + some extra tests. Wrong, it doesn't have tests for ammonia or ph so I will be getting test kits for the basics soon and will post some numbers when I do. For now I am happy something is living in my tank even if it is a bad guy.

Got some chaeto and sand from a local reef today. Super nice guy. Also I saw a tiny starfish. I'm getting more excited by day!

crazy fun to look and find stuff right??

Whats the consensus on Asterina starfish here? Based on what I've read best case scenarios they eat Coraline worst case scenario they eat zoas and other polyps. Should I take out the one I found ASAP?