new to reef tanks

[jasonrmorford]

Hi,

I'm trying to set up 2 tanks a 55gal and a 20gal
My 55 gal has been set up for a year as a fish only and I want to add some zoanthids and mushrooms. I have a coralife with 4 55 watt bulbs but my nitrate is way too high. I have a fuval 204 canister filter and recently purchase a Marineland pengiun 350 for 75 gal. so i'm letting the bacteria build up before I get rid of the canister filter. I'm on a budget but plan on eventually setting up a fuge and protein skimmer.
I did a 15 gallon water change on Saturday but no change in the nitrates.
I have 2 false perculas, 2 engineer gobies, 1 lawnmower blennie and a scooter blennie.
I only have about 25 lbs of live rock, i recently put some no invasive algae in my tank.
Any help would be appreciated

 

[Ef3s]

Don't quote me on this but if you're tank has been running a year if you have live sand and rock you should be able to take off the canister filter, or at least completely clean it out with minimal loss to your bacteria colonies.... Also you have basically no fish for a 55 gallon so I dun think there would be any ammonia spike....

I would say you need a little more lighting...

A protein skimmer would help with nitrates... Along with live sand...

If you want to elimate nitrates you need MULTIPLE big water changes like 10 50% changes....!

Just my ideas...

 

[Kerchakone]

I went from 20 to 5 with an 80% water change.

 

[jasonrmorford]

I usually buy RO premixed Saltwater from my local fish store. doing a 50% water change won't effect the fish? The water I get from them is usually pretty cold.

Thanks for the help

 

[Ef3s]

Buy another heater/powerhead for the mixing bucket/garbage can...

Also allow the salt/water to mix for 24 hours before adding to the tank...
(But you said premixed...)

When you add water you want it to be the exact same temp/salinity so you don't see the squiglys of the two waters mixing....

From what I understand if you do this correct you can change 90% of the water and the fish wont notice.....

 

[mr_X]

i would wash out the cannister completely. that is most likely where the nitrates are coming from. a million water changes won't solve the problem if there is a massive buildup of gunk in there.

 

[Ef3s]

BakPak should be fine...

if after 1 month from date of tank start it's not producing foam....buy a new one!

 

[Anonymous]

i would wash out the cannister completely. that is most likely where the nitrates are coming from. a million water changes won't solve the problem if there is a massive buildup of gunk in there.

Agreed
No bleach and no soap...white vinegar and a good rinsing.

How are you're feeding habits, I'm guilty of being a little bit of an over-feeder, that'll keep your trate factory running.

Good luck!

 

[jasonrmorford]

Thanks for the help everyone. I plan on getting some container to store the water in I'll get a heater and powerhead as well.
I buy brine shrimp frozen cubes half inch by half inch I give them one per day at around 4pm. they seem to eat it all pretty quick.
I'll also try cleaning the canister. I have a marineland penguin350 for should i just get rid of canister filter its filthy and doesn't filter much water anymore and i was told the biowheel filter was alot better.


Once again thanks for the help.

 

[FinalPhaze987]

i would get more live rock and up the bio filtration...be carefull when adding it to your tank, make sure its cured first either by curing it yourself or by buying it from a LFS you trust. Have you considered running a DSB?

 

[ChrisRD]

If it were me, I'd add a good quality skimmer and ditch the power filters. Make sure you have plenty of circulation too (ie. if not, add some powerheads). Other than that, a few large water changes should set things in the right direction.

I didn't see mention of what you're running for a substrate, but if it's anything course that can be a potential area for detritus to get trapped and contribute to water quality problems.

 

[jasonrmorford]

Hi thanks for the help. I have a finer crushed coral sand bed. I have one marineland Penguin 350. I was thinking about adding a second and getting rid of the old canister filter. The marineland Penguin 350 says it takes care of up to 75gallons, mine is a 55 gallon tall. I also plan on getting a protein skimmer that handles 90 gallons, because of plans of linking another 55gal and at least a 20 gallon sump when paychecks allow. I only have one powerhead right now.
Is DSB mean Deep Sand Bed? I have about 2 half to 3 inches of crushed coral.
I'll post some pictures when I can get my camera working right. All the pictures are blurry. I keep getting an upload error with my pictures.
Have a good weekend.

 

[mr_X]

i'm not sure i understand your plans completely, but i think you said you are adding a second 55 gallon tank as a sump? if so, that is 110 gallons. i would get a skimmer rated for atleast 150-200 gallons or more.

i would also get rid of the crushed coral, when paychecks allow. crushed coral can trap alot of uneaten food and fish poop in between it's granules. i think a sugar sized sand bed would be better for you in the long run. how fine is "finer crushed coral"?

 

[Ef3s]

I was being stupid You don't need more lights...just maybe change 1 or 2 of the 55 watter to actinic...

 

[jasonrmorford]

Thanks for all the help. I'll post more questions when i can get a spare moment. My family is nuts. Life happens it sucks. Thank God i have my fish tanks to relax.

 

[jasonrmorford]

I have a 20 Gallon that was already setup for several months and i have added 3 Zooantids and one other coral that i'm not sure what it is(i was told but forgot) it seems to be a larger version of the Zooantids about a inch base with neon green umbrellas that open up. I have a Corlife with 1 65watt white light and 1 actinic the "green umbrellas open up better at night when i turn off the white light. Also 2 of the Zooantids rocks, only open up about half of the polyups through out the day. Do i need more Actinic lighting or is this just a stupid question.
I'll test the water when i get home and post the results.
I'll also try posting pic again. i have about 25 lbs of live rock and a inch sand bed. Biowheel filter and power head if you need more info let me know. I have been having problems posting my pics though.

Thanks
newbie

 

[mr_X]

the larger zoos you speak of- does the name "paly" or "palythoa" ring a bell?
i don't think actinic is the answer. what is the 65 watt "white" light? is it 10k?

 

[jasonrmorford]

Thanks Mr. X , yes i believe it is a Palythoa it looks brown during the day but when just the Actinic is on it looks neon green. My "white light" is a 10K. After having the Zooanthids 2 weeks they are still doing well. I found a small snail in a white spiral shell hiding in my Zooanthid.

 

[cindre2000]

And that snail is why they were closed up. Probably a zooanthid predator. Check to see if it has a conical trap door, and check out the Hitchhikers ID page.