After tank cleanup

It takes about an hour to change and clean the tank...

I always love a clean tank. It's as clear as if you were just diving in it.






The brain coral was sort of damaged by the ever moving anemone. Some of it died off. I hoped it could regrow back. One thing obout corals growth, is that it takes lots of time, and also a good tank setup with good water parameters is a must.

If this tank flourish, that's all I need to be happy staring at it daily. After almost 2 years, this tank is pretty stable. Corals growth is possible, which used to be impossible.

And oh yea...this is my office table.

2 African Clowns & Anemone

This is from a one cubic feet tank. I know..some would complain the bio load is too high...

However, this tank has been stable for weeks. At first I was reluctant to get the anemone, having previously got one white tip anemone, and the guy died. Maybe it was due to the bad water quality.

Nice thing about this tank is, both clown fish are playing along happily with the anemone.

New tank arrangement

Here's some new pictures updates. Recently, I had purchased activated carbon branded 'black gold'. Now, it's not black gold as in oil, but specialized processed carbon for chemical filtration.

It really does work wonders. My marine tank water used to be a bit yellowish after 7 days. Since using carbon, it's still pretty clear. Now I could change waters 2 weeks once, and not weekly as I used to.

I've also replaced all the fine sand substrate with larger coarser substrate made up off coral fragments. The problem I had was sand on top of corals, which I think caused growth problems for them.

There's one SPS coral that managed to regrow back after almost dying. That is perhaps the best motivation to maintain the marine tank.

New Tank Setup

"Stop staring at me...I don't need you looking at me 24/7...just gimme food.."

Yay, finally got a new marine tank. For this tank, my recycling time is just 5 days, then in goes corals and 2 fishies.


A new beginning for non samseng fishes.


The coolest and cheapest DIY fan in the market.

Just to break down the components of the new tank.
1) 2 x 11watts light.
2) One DIY fan.
3) One hang on filter with a sump.
4) One water pump.

The lights are necessary for coral growth. My previous mistake was not enough light, and this causes almost no growth. As for the fan, I decided to DIY again using an 8 bucks cheapo PC fan wired to a transformer adapter set to 12 Volts. Now, the challenge is how to fit the fan on to the tank. After a long hard think, I finally used a card box cover (soft plastic), 2 suction cups, and 2 screws with a nut to bolt.

Instructions for DIY aquarium fan:
1) Drill 2 holes for the suction cups, which you can fix in with enough width for the hole.
2) Drill another 2 holes on top for the fan, where you screw in the screws and bolt.
3) Connect to a 12 volt transformer which you can get for 10 bucks.


A close up

I have yet to decide if I need a protein skimmer for this small tank.


This looks like a bunch of grass flowing in the waves....

As for the old tank, I took of half of the corals and placed it in the new one. The bio load was pretty much. Now it seems that both tanks are doing fine.

More Corals, More Light

A feather duster...no...not to brush off dust in the aquarium. It's a type of worm that captures food using the feather like extensions.


Both of these fishes don't like each other.

See...lots of corals in a 1 feet cubic tank



This is how I mount the 2nd light, which is 13 watt bulb.


Blue devilfish, is really a devil, he harasses everyone in the tank.


My soon to be new marine tank.

After getting tons of new corals, I am going to convert another 1x1x1 feet tank into a marine one. Previously it was my old tropical fish tank that lasted for like 3 years. So my current marine tank is really full with corals, something which is not good for long term. Already, I could see some corals eating on others. Minor damage, but that is ok.

Another thing is, I finally figured out how to put another extra lamp to the marine tank. Light has not been sufficient. So maybe this time I'll get it right. With calcium from Kalkwasser and light, let there be coral growth. Or else, I need to think why my corals are just survival mode.

Picture Date: Oct 10 2007

Looking good so far...it has been 4 days since I dripped kalkwasser. Results have been better.
You could see corals regenerating.


My favourite fish is this maroon clown. Reason being...all the other yellow colored clowns perished. This is the only guy who had survived...until now. It's strong dark red colors provides a stark contrast againts the dull background.

My Marine Journey

Hi all,

I am starting this blog to document the journey of my marine tank. I have started this tank since march 2007, and it has taught me lots of stuff in setting up a marine tank. I am not a pro, but I am experimenting on lots of stuff.

This blog serves as a diary snapshot of my corals in the tank. So, each day hopefully, I will post up a few pics. This way, I can look back after a few months and see the progress.

Here's some pictures for today.