ready for critters???

[jumpincactus]

Well it has been a long road here but one I am hoping will be worth it. My rock appears to be cycled and I am looking for input on my water parameters. I am a little concerned with the phosphate reading as I am using a five stage RO/DI unit. My next batch I will test the effluent for P03.

Ammonia-0
Nitrite- trace
Nitrate-15 would be nice to see 10 or below I know.
Ph- 8.1 needs to come up some.
Alkalinity 3.5 cool
Calcium-300
Salinity 1.025

My concern with the calcium at this point is I am not ready to either drip Kalk or purchase a Calc reactor. I have not decided yet whih way I am going, probably a Calc reactor. At this point other than clean up crew what do you all suggest is cool to begin with as far as critters in what will some day be a LPS/SPS tank?

What in the beginning stages can I do to work on the three parameters that are a bit off and keep the tank balanced? Calcium/Ph and maitain my alkalinity where it is at. I will use RowPhos to help with the P03.

Any detailed input would be appreciated.
Thanx

 

[cindre2000]

A simple water change will drop the nitrate very quickly. Fewer large water changes make more of an impact compared to lots of small water changes.

Calcium and Alk are not too important unless they drop really low, or you have hard corals. Otherwords, something needs to be using the calcium before you need to replenish it.

As for the cleanup crew, I like diversity; however, you should do a little research. Generally hermits can and will kill snails, sand sifting stars demolish sand beds, cukes will kill everything if they die or get picked on, some crabs will kill fish and stuff; some snails are better at surviving and cleaning than others, etc.

How big is your tank?

I suggest not getting the suggested number of critters right away (1/gallonish); rather add a couple at a time as the tank becomes more and more broken in.

 

[jumpincactus]

Yes I agree thought I might start with half a doz Atrea snails. My tank is a 120. I am using a EuroReef 135 skimmer and have about 110 lbs of LR. I suspect that my nitrates are high due to the fact I am using filter floss in the sump to catch all the microbubbles I am getting in the main tank. I clean them a couple times a week tho.

You stated that some snails are better at surviving and cleaning than others what do you use???

thanx

 

[SnowManSnow]

for cal and alk id recommend b-ionic. always worked for me.. no fuss. not much thought and trouble has to go into it.

B

 

[FragMaster]

Agreed! B-ionic ALL the way!!!

 

[ChrisRD]

I agree on starting with a balanced 2-part like B-ionic once you need that. Also, IMO a pH of 8.1 is fine.

On the snails I like Trochus, Stomatella (commonly hitchikes in on rock), Cerith and Turban/Turbo varieties the most.

HTH

 

[jumpincactus]

Tell me a little more about B-Ionic. what is it and what does it do. Pro's and cons etc. Ease of use.

thanx for all the input thus far

 

[jumpincactus]

BUMP

tell me more fellas

 

[trido]

B-ionic is a two part supplement that helps maintain calcium levels and alkalinity stability. It is easy to use. Add x amount of part A. Wait ten minutes. Add x amount of part B. Your done. I hear alot of great things about it. In the long haul. It is likely just as cost effective to buy a calcium/kalk reactor. I think that most get the reactor due to the demand that the LPS and SPS corals have for calcium as they tank matures. The B-ionic either is too costly or cant keep up. You are then forced to rethink the cost of that cacium/kalk reactor. I am going to use the B-ionic myself until I can recover the initial set up cost and my corals start to mature.

 

[jumpincactus]

Thannx all

Duane I think that your idea of using B-Ionic in the first stages is a great idea until I get the dinero to purchase the calcium reactor.