General Questions/ Tank think log

[tunicata]

Hi,
I'm going to try and use this thread as a log to ask you all varying questions. I don't want to set up 1 thread per question type. If some one tells me I HAVE to, then ok. Btw, not sure if this belongs in Newb thread or Tank thread. I do not have a camera or a personal comp. at the moment, but should have these things in up to 2 wks.


So, to start off (btw, the User CP isn't letting me save the tank log, maybe its the libraries I.E.) here are my specs:

Physical specs:
45 g tank 36x24x12 w/ 10 g sump, SeaClone 150 skimmer, 2x Mag 12, 1 CPR overflow, 1 unknown sump pump, 1 50 w heater, ~20lbs LR, ~45 lbs S, 1 150 w HQI 10k

Chemical:
I use Instant Ocean Salt Mix, Marine Basic Test kit from Dr Fosters (need to put more $$ into one I feel I can trust) Salinity 1.025, Nitrite .1 /under, Nitrate .5, Ph 8.3-8.4, Alk 5. That's about it. I did test for Ammonia but I need to use the sensors PROPERLY!

Biological:
5 polyps of SOMETHING growing on 1 rock, many tiny fanworms, seems they are of 2 varieties, 1 dark red fans bottom to top with white tips, 1 white and really light pink stripes.

Water is clear seeming in tank. During the day light filters in from 3 windows about 5 ft away, it's not bright though. I only turn on the MH at night so tank gets 8-10 hrs of light 'per day' as opposed to 12-14 if I had it on while at work.

Now:
Skimmer gives light green but thickish skimmate. A bit gross because it's not all liquid, in one day I'd say I get about a half a cup worth. I do have green algae of some kind on the rocks, it looks like green colored in with a colored pencil instead of being bushy or slimy or excessively furry/long.
What does green skimmate indicate? The FO tank I cared for 2 years ago had mid-range brown. Is this just because it had more animal organic wastes to deal with versus my plant infestation?

I am setting up a place in the sump, and trying to mod a quarantine/ref I bought into a mangrove/chaeto and recently cut/hurt/new coral home.
It's a 10 g tank, comes with a trickle filter, and mini skimmer. I want to divide it out into small chambers that I can use to just...test my interests.
I received my shipment of mangrove pods last night, 'secured' them and will wait. I want to start up a phyo culture and zooplankton hatchery as well, just to see if I can do it. I will keep anyone who cares about my progress updated. I hope to get a new comp. early next week so I can annoy MR more with my questions/think alouds.
I really have NO ONE else to talk to as my 'friends' are far away and show little to no interest in this, and I'm 'new' to the area anyway (in ME for the past 5 years). I live in North Jersey.

Ok, that's it for now. Thank you for your time. Please comment on my tank and post any Q/Comments/Concerns

 

[junglebase]

The two Mag 12 pumps caught my eye.. what are they for? That seems to be a lot of water movement for a 45 gallon tank.... just curious..

 

[tunicata]

Oh, they are to be used as power heads in the tank.
I only used them the first two days then decided it was a waste of power because I dont really need them right now. But I agree with you, that is a lot of movement.

When I actually stock my tank, what do you recommend for this situation. The Mags came wtih the tank, I can use just 1 at a time and use the other as a pump for some thing else. I'm open to suggestion.
Thanks!

 

[cali_reef]

Oh, they are to be used as power heads in the tank.
I only used them the first two days then decided it was a waste of power because I dont really need them right now. But I agree with you, that is a lot of movement.

When I actually stock my tank, what do you recommend for this situation. The Mags came wtih the tank, I can use just 1 at a time and use the other as a pump for some thing else. I'm open to suggestion.
Thanks!

They are a great pump\heater combination :lol2:

You have a seaclone skimmer? :headache:..

 

[tunicata]

Yea, it's not bad. I know they have a bad reputation, but it works, I get a lot out of it, its inexpensive new and def. at the used price!

But folks should start commenting on my chemical specs. The kit I'm using (marine basic on Dr fosters) says the levels are ok or within normal range. But on some websites and forums I'm seeing that my numbers are high.

If they are high, how do I fix that or does it naturally fix itself after a few weeks. What should I be doing to ensure my tank is on the right path.

 

[duke62]

i know this may be questions that you are asking and it just seems easier to have 1 thread for all your personal questions but the questions you ask in each thread not only helps you but other reefers.so i would suggest for each question u have on other subject matters write another thread.just my opinion.as for your tests,i would suggest using salifert test kits.your nitrites nitrates ammonia should be at 0.those little fan worms are i believe appataisa."spelled that wrong" which will overgrow in your tank and is considered bad for your reef tank.i would add more live rock.at least 60 lbs of rock for a 45 gal.as for the skimmer i know its a cheap skimmer you have there but a skimmer is not the equip to be cheap with.do not use your sump as a quarantine tank.if you have a sick fish that needs copper meds you will not be able to treat.you will also need a phosphate tester,cal and alk also mg.for your qt tank you will need copper tests as well.also get yourself an ro/di unit for your water.hope i helped

 

[reefman]

get a good skimmer n a good ro/di
need more lr

 

[tunicata]

heya, thank you all for posting!

Hm, I'm getting a bit confused/worried about the different directions.
So far what I hear/am told on forums is that I NEED a skimmer, and a 'good' one at that. But the stores, and a lot of the people I met in labs during school are all creating propagation systems and have over 8 years worth of established tanks (that have thriving LFS and research exp.) without skimming, with out reactors, dosing everything possible. Their tanks consist of a utube overflow, a pump, heater, and return. They were using a DSB and tons of LR for their filter. But that's all (not including non-metal halide lighting). So, it's just a bit odd now that I've started going online to have folks being so adamant about more the more tech savy route.

I know it's really just a question what technique do you prefer, because so far I've seen that it all works. What I'm doing is trying to examine the rationale behind each and see what I like. Does no one else find that whole issue odd?

Anyway, I have a RO/DI unit, I don't know the difference betw. a good or bad one. I've tried examining reviews of skimmers and other units I read about but most folks are using lingo that I'm not prepared for. But still doing the research.

Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to make a quarantine tank mesh with my main tank at all. Also, eh, I have no interest in keeping fish!!! Lol, it's a slight issue that I can't explain, don't know what 'they' ever did to me!

Note to self: salifert test kits! Thanks and btw, should this thread be moved to a tank log? I mean, so far all my questions are specific to my tank, similar to questions/comments made in other tank threads.

 

[duke62]

i would do more research on skimming.i had my system with a sh!tty skimmer and i had problems with my clarity of my water and nitrates in my system.after i got my euro reef skimmer my tank looks like another system.i would never go cheap again with a skimmer.just my opinion.you take what you want from whoever u want but im sure on this site 90% of people will suggest a bigger better skimmer

 

[tunicata]

oh, I forgot,
it's not apstasia. Those are anemones, these are worms in tube casing with frilly cute pink/white and red/white 'tentacles' they look like mini/not as elegant feather dusters.

The polyps look like tiny versions of zooanthids, the person I bought the rock from said it was as well, but I'll try and get a pic if I can.

 

[Alexxn]

Yes ditch the skimmer, don't think about it just do it....get yourself @ 40lbs more rock, lose the mag 12's for powerheads (WAY too much heat) and get some Hydor Koralias or something....Salifert test kits are mandatory as well....HTH

 

[meschaefer]

Skimmers

Yes there are people out there who can keep a reef tank without a skimmer. But as you said the people you know have over 8 years of experience, including LFS and research experience (the other thing you should be aware of is to be very wary, of LFS advice, I mean to the extent that without reason to believe otherwise it should be ignored). That makes all the difference in the world. Without a skimmer you have no room for error in water quality. In my opinion the newer you are at this hobby, the better the skimmer you need. Go take a look at the tanks of the month on Reef Central, and tell me how many of them don't use skimmers.

It is allot more than just preference, biological filtration (live rock, sand bed etc) takes time to develop. It does not react fast enough to adapt to events such as the death of an animal which can quickly pollute the water in a tank of your size. A skimmer on the other hand does, and will give you the safety net that you need, especially for someone just starting out in the hobby.

Now to add to the confusion, without fish you may have an easier time by going skimmer less or with a crappy skimmer. As skimmers pull out allot of fish (to use a technical term) ****,. That being said, many experienced people feel that having a decent fish population is important to a healthy tank as many corals eat the fish crap. This still does not address the problem you will have if a coral dies on you.

My final word on skimmers, is that the seaclone is as bad as people say it is. I know you see it pulling out "allot" of skimate. You only say this because you have never seen the amount of skimate that a decent skimmer can pull out.

Test Kits

For Ammonia and Nitrite you can use a cheap test kit. For Calcium, Alkalinity, PH and Nitrate salifert test kits offer (IMO) the best accuracy to cost ratio. If you feel that you need more test kits get a Magnesium test kit, don't bother with any other test kits at this time. When you need them you will know.

Advice.

As I said above regarding LFS advice, I will posit that you should be very wary of all advice that you receive. Remember that eight years of experience could be eight years of doing it wrong. There are people on this forum who have been very, very successful, and many who have tanks that put some of the RC tank of the months to shame. You need to figure out who these people are and then weigh the advice you received accordingly.

If people are adamant about what you should do, ask to see a full tank picture. That being the case you may want to ignore mine, as I have a completely empty tank at the moment. But I would bet that there are those that you will come to trust who will confirm my advice.

 

[Alexxn]

VERY well put Matt

 

[cali_reef]

This still does not address the problem you will have if a coral dies on you.

And the hundreds, thousand, and maybe millions of other tiny creatures that are in your tank. They all need to consum something to live and grow, most needs to poop after they eat.

 

[LeslieS]

it looks like green colored in with a colored pencil

coraline algae also comes in green.