Freedom Filter

[tarpons]

Hi!

I've been a freshwater fishkeeper dreaming of a reef aquarium for years. I purchased a 95 gal All-Glass wave front tank last Sept. I purchased a Freedom Filter Professional unit (can't remember the flow rate on the installed pump -- either 900 or 1200 gph) and an ro/di unit in February. We moved in August to our own new home, so I've decided to go ahead and set up the tank. I purchased a Coral Life 50/50 light unit a couple of days ago. I've been reading books all along (literally for years, but especially the past few months). I just stumbled upon you guys!

So, now I'm wondering if I've screwed up! I'm just starting, and would rather correct/prevent a problem now, than fix it later.

I prepared the water int the tank with Reef Salt from Instant Ocean with ro water on the 14th and 15th, (didn't use the di water, 'cause I was not planning a reef yet - however hubby is enthralled with corals. He probably won't object to my spending a ton on money if I'm getting what he likes too! ). My SG is 1.022 (instant ocean hydrometer). pH is 8.2 (titration test kit). Ammonia is 0. Can't yet locate my other test kits (dH, gH, phosphate, dissolved oxygen, nitrites, nitrates) that I purchased in advance and misplaced in the moving process. The temperature is 78. It is situated indirectly under a sky light.

I have 40 pounds of base 'lace' rock. I have 40 pounds of 'premium' live rock encrusted heavily with pink/purple coralline algae. I have 40 pounds of live rock I purchased from a less well know LFS 'cause it looked appealing. It appears to be old coral skeleton encrusted with a moderate amount of pink coralline algae, Long green algae (reminds me of the Christmas cactus in structure), a small amount of hair like algae that I've mostly pulled off). This live rock also thrilled us with the quick appearance of small brownish/red anemones (which I now think are glass anemones -- DH is appalled that we must kill them). It also appeared to carry small snails, feather dusters, tiny 'bug-like-things', and a white worm with a red head that measures about 1/4" and swims with a spiral motion (can't identify it on your hitchhiker pages). I have 80 pounds of live sand (commercial argonite, can't remeber the brand), measuring from 1 - 3" in depth. No sand under the rocks. I put these "live" things in on 9/17.

On 9/18 I put in 3 mollies at the recommendation of my LFS (the water cleared in the first 24 hours). The mollies are thriving. The glass anemones are thriving ('til I get home in the morning 8O ). The feather dusters are thriving. I've been adding 5 ml of 'Purple Up' daily at the behest of my LFS as well.

Now I'm AFRAID!!!! Afraid that the 'beautiful' rock from the questionable (now that I know just a little more) LFS (the glass anemones were in plain view) has introduced more pests than beneficial organisms. Afraid that my Freedom Filter (the protein skimmer is within the unit) wasn't a good choice. Afraid that the lights I just bought (in addition to the dual unit full spectrum fluorescent lights that came with the aquarium) are not appropriate. Afraid that I've wasted money mixing the salt with ro water rather than ro/di now that the plans for the tank have changed. Afraid I've done it all wrong before I've barely gotten started!!!

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. My goal for this tank is now to have it as a reef aquarium with a small number of compatible fish. I am fairly patient, but having to rein dh in hard -- he'd love to see fish and anemones in it. I've told him that anemones don't look like they'd be appropriate if we plan to move into corals.

Thanks,
Candy

 

[trido]

First of all,
:welcome:

I really like the way 95 wave front looks. I can only imagine what a PITA it will be to clean. Im not good at long replies so here you go.
How many watts is your light fixture and total wattage of both? This will determine what kind of corals you can grow.
RO water is fine. Simply use some declorinator .
From your description, it sounds like you have some real nice LR. I wouldnt use purple up right now as from what i have read about it here, its purpose is to help coraline algea grow. It doesnt sound like you need it.
The mollies also arent necessary to make the tank cycle and may be a PItA to catch later. If you dont intend to keep them, make sure you get them before adding anything else as removing the LR may be necessary.

Of course your afraid, you probably should be. LOL. Saltwater tanks arent cheap and if you dont like to throw money away, worry will keep you diligent.
I know nothing about your skimmer so Im useless there. Your LR will be fine. A little nuking here and there, maybe a peppermint shrimp to eat the anenomes you cant get. You got lots of good hithchikers that some of us arent so lucky to get.
The lighting you just bought, If you find is inadequate for all the cool corals your hubbie will likely want, probably can be used as supplemental lighting beside the metal halide lighting that you will upgrade to.
The "christmas cactus" algea you plucked. I believe is called halimedia. It is a slow growing macroalgea that feeds on calium. It is one of the desirable algeas some people seek out. The other algea? probably better keep pulling it up if its hairy.
Let your hubby know, "Nothing good happens quickly in a reef tank".
Also, you can keep an anenome in a reef tank. YOu will likely need MH lighting first or a bunch of VHO.

 

[SnowManSnow]

IMO there's no reason to be scared haha.

Hang in there... start with what you have, if you can't swap it out.. and grow gradually as budget permits. THere's a fairly steep learning curve in reef keeping, but thats part of the challenge!

Keep your chin up, read some good reef books (i like most anything from J. Sprung), ask questions here, and make haste SLOWLY.

You'll be fine, just keep pressing on

oh and WELCOME!!!

b

 

[SnowManSnow]

oh.. and as far as the glass anemonies go... if its not just a TON of them id recommend Joe's Juice from www.marinedepot.com I've used it many times, and it does a nice job.

B

 

[tarpons]

Thanks for the replies. I am looking forward to learning a lot here.

The Mollies are already deeply regretted. 3 have already turned into 10! The mollies think the live rock is awesome, and it seems to provide all of their dietary needs, so just scooping them out at feeding time isn't an option. I added my first marine occupants yesterday -- two small true perculas. The ph is 8.2, nitrites 0, ammonia 0, nitrates just barely there (between the 0 and 0.2 readings). The SG is 1.022. I'm topping off the tank with salt mix to try to slowly raise the SG.

We killed the nine aiptasias with a hot concentrated pickling lime solution we read about on the net. It worked most excellently. The feather dusters seem to be thriving as do the sponges and other odd assorted critters that came in.

The Coral Life lights are compact flourescents that are 50/50 actinic and 10K. The fixture that came with the aquarium (can't seem to get any specs on it from All-Glass) are marked "Eclipse Natural Daylight". There are two 48" tubes. They are MUCH brighter than the Coral Life.

I appreciate the info on the Purple Up and have stopped adding that at present. I also added Bio Spira at the advice of the LFS. I suspect they are enjoying helping me spend my money.

Thanks Again!
Candy