SpectrePure MaxCap RO/DI System

I had read that purifying tap water through reverse osmosis and de-ionization has numerous benefits for achieving a well-balanced, marine ecosystem.  However, since I never did that for my freshwater and it requires a new piece of hardware, I initially decided hold off.  Well, it's been a couple of months now and while my fish and shrimp are doing fine, the algae is still a problem.  And while my tap water only has a total dissolved solids (TDS) reading of 25 ppm (which seems pretty low), I considered purchasing an RO/DI unit an investment that was ultimately the right thing to do.

I decided to buy a SpectrePure MacCap RO/DI unit that's capable of producing 90 gallons per day.  This was more expensive than the cheapest models out there, but time is so precious these days that I was pretty sure I would appreciate having something faster than slower.  We'll see over time.  

Plastic Cage for the Chaetomorpha

My chaeto has been getting stuck near the baffle.  Although it's a high flow area, part of the chaeto is exposed to the air and the rest of it does not tumble around as it's supposed to.

So I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and found a clear plastic crate that was the perfect size for my sump.  I drilled out a grid of holes on the bottom of the crate.  Then I set it on its side in my refugium, keeping the chaeto submerged inside of it.  The chaeto is also now directly in front of the light, so that may also help it grow.

Although I've had the lights off in my tank, the nuisance algae is still growing.  Hopefully this little adjustment will help the chaeto do its job.  If not, I may get a more powerful light for the refugium, as well.
 

Introducing a Blood Red Fire Shrimp and Chaetomorpha

Yesterday, I added a Blood Red Fire Shrimp to my tank and some Chaetomorpha (spaghetti) algae to my sump, $34.95 and $10 respectively at my LFS.  To support the chaeto, I also added to my sump a light from an old 2.5 gallon aquarium, which now makes my sump a refugium, I suppose.

I've never had a crustacean before, so after doing some reading about shrimp and crab I decided to give it a try.  Not only is the shrimp supposed to help clean the tank, but it also should help clean the fish of parasites.  It's supposed to be reef safe (thinking about the future, here).  The shrimp is brilliantly colored -- the red and the white coloration is striking.  But as my LFS predicted, it has pretty much stayed hidden underneath a rock for much of the day.  We'll see if it starts getting more confident.  I'm taking it one step at a time -- I may go back and add a cleaner shrimp to the tank as well, which should be more visible during the day.

I added the chaeto to help combat the nuisance algae that has been blooming in my tank.  Last week, I measured 0.25 ppm phosphates in both my tank water and the tap water, so I ordered an RO/DI unit to help as well, but that hasn't come in, yet.  I noticed the chaeto at the LFS and they said it was pretty rare that they have it in stock, so I went ahead and got it even though I don't have the RO/DI unit yet.  I figure there will always be some phosphates and having the chaeto should only help.  I held off on buying a turbo snail, though, until I see what the new algae situation will be.

Manjano Anemone Live Rock Hitchhiker

I was pretty excited to find what appears to be an anemone on my live rock.  But after some research, it appears that this is an undesirable species called a Manjano Anemone.  For now I'll just wait and see what develops.  

Hair, Brown and Nuisance Algae Outbreak

Big problem.

My First Livestock: Clownfish!

Exciting day.  Aquarium parameters have looked good.  So I bought my first livestock for the aquarium.  A pair of ocellaris clown fish.

Aptasia, Bristle Worm, and Feather Duster Found on Live Rock

Added about 15 lbs of Fiji live rock and 15 lbs of bowl rock.

Observed the first visible signs of life in my aquarium.  Unfortunately, the excitement has turned into some concern, as aptasia and bristleworms can apparently become big problems.  For now, I'll just wait and see what happens.