Live Rock Set-up

[Andrea1]

This is our LR set-up. This will be a reef tank. Do you think we need to change the arrangement of the rocks or will the inhabitants be happy with it? There are lots of ledges...We do have the jets going through the rocks and the fish we have seem to really like all the nooks and crannies.
Please advise...
Thank you,
Andrea

PS. sorry about the glare.

 

[Andrea1]

Need your help!

 

[Anonymous]

I think it looks kinda cool. I wouldn't worry about how it looks for the fish, but you want it nice for yourself. Just make sure that the rocks don't topple. If/when you start adding coral, it stinks to have the rocks crush the pieces that you add to the tank.

HTHs,
~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

Hello! I am hoping you take this purely as an opinion, and just like any "art" it is in the eye of the beholder yadda yadda...
It looks too "stacked" or too "human" looking. It does not look like a natural reef, but a man-made assembly.
I think you need to make it more 3-dimensional with some depth front to back.
But hey, if you like it, then the heck with me anyway lol

 

[Anonymous]

I like it and think your fish would too.

I would be a little concerned about how stable the rocks are too!

Louey

 

[Andrea1]

I can imagine. Stability. Very important. Can you suggest coral we should start out with?


Thanks,
Andrea

 

[Andrea1]

Ctgretzky.
I kind of think so too, but I also think it might look good with the anemone's and others on it. There are lots of ledges and hopefully some holes for the fishes will remain open.
I feel the rocks are stable, but I will test them again.
Thanks again,
Andrea

 

[SnowManSnow]

Hi I think you'll be happy with the LR configuration as long as you have enough ledges to put things on.... you don't want things stacked strait up against the back of the glass.

As far as what you can keep its going to HEAVILY weigh on what type of lighting you want to go with. I would reccomend MH lighting if AT ALL POSSIBLE for your tank. It will allow you to keep pretty much anything you want. *word of warning*: ITS GOING TO SEEM EXPENSIVE... but I think its well worth it.

Also, be careful with the kinds of fish you throw in there to get things started. Most will agree that damsels will become WAY too agressive over time, so you may consider selling them back to the LFS.

I see the tank has a nice overflow built in. You'll need a skimmer somewhere in the water cycle. I would also consider a few more powerheads for water flow. I like Maxijets 900 or 1200 personally. Better water movement will aid in the prevention of algea and "dust" buildup on your corals and LR.

I'm sorry to suggest all this expensive stuff... but hey! Its FUN FUN FUN FUN!

If I had a word of wisdom it would be to "MOVE SLOWLY". Make sure you get good equipment off the bat.. even if it takes longer to attain due to cost.

Good luck!
Best wishes!
B>

 

[SnowManSnow]

Oh.. also.. I like the back of the tank painted with laytex paint.. maybe a dark blue color.. just somthin to consider

Take Care!
B. :lol:

 

[Andrea1]

Thanks SnowManSnow.

These are our specks:
90 Gallon
150 Sealife Venturi protein skimmer
48" lunar light system
125 Wet/Dry
Turbo twist 9 watt uv sterilizer
2 800 rio aqua pump power heads plus another that is planted on the overflow
1/4 HP aqua coral life chiller we live in florida
1 wavemaster


My husband likes the MH lights. I am sure if you all really suggest them, he will go for it.

If we were to keep out luner lights, what would you suggest we start with?
If we went with the MH, what would you suggest?

If you read my prior post, you can see we went too fast.
All test are as follows:
Nitrate is @ 20. We are adding AZ-NO3 to lower that.
Nitrites are @ .05
NH4 is 0
Calium is 650, we stopped adding buffers for a week to bring that down Ph is 8.2
SP 1.022 temp @ 77 degrees
Phosphate is .5
Silica is 1, we have a filter pad we just put to lower this
Alkalinity is Normal
Oxygen is 7.
I think that is it. Am I missing something?
What do you think the test results should be for a reef tank?

Please help us...
I really respect your opinion and I am so grateful that I have somewhere to go to get answers...

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[Andrea1]

PS...I love your idea of painting the back of the tank. Dark Blue would be beautiful...
THX

 

[Anonymous]

Nitrate is @ 20. We are adding AZ-NO3 to lower that.
Nitrites are @ .05
NH4 is 0
Calium is 650, we stopped adding buffers for a week to bring that down Ph is 8.2
SP 1.022 temp @ 77 degrees
Phosphate is .5
Silica is 1, we have a filter pad we just put to lower this
Alkalinity is Normal
Oxygen is 7.
I think that is it. Am I missing something?
What do you think the test results should be for a reef tank?

Here is some help for ya:
You should stop using the az-no3 as I have heard of some realted problems with dosing this. trates at .20 aren't super horrific on a newer tank. With proper water changes this could lower on its own, and your tank sounds like it is just at the end of cycling with the trites still showing up at .05 Let the natural nitrification cycle continue.

Good to stop dosing calcium, especially you shouldnt be dosing this anyway as you have nothing to use the calcium! Get it to around 450 and them maintain it by testing it first. Watch your alk and ph whle you are adjusting this as they are all related.

Ph is perfect, but watch it closely as you adjust calcium.

You should raise your SG to around 1.024-.025 Do this slowly with water changes over the next 2 weeks or so.

Temp of 77 is fine, though many reefers prefer a temp around 80. But you are well withing range here.

Phosphates at .05 arent too bad at all. I use kents "phosphate sponge" every once in a while and it works incredibly! You use it basically the same as carbon-in a mesh bag for 24-48 hrs then remove.

Alkalinity is normal? Can you post the results of this test? With such a high calcium level, this sounds like this could be off.

Youre on the right track though, and just need to watch for a couple of things ;-) You may want to test for magnesium levels as well.
Good luck!

 

[cjsrch]

imo WAY to straight up and down. the coral will block the corals below it.. so id rearange

 

[Andrea1]

Thank you for your reply Ct...
As far as the alkalinity test, I can not find anywhere how to translate the results other than Normal. Amazing!
We just tested today. After water change.
Our Silica is @ 1. We put in a poly filter on 5/13 and our level is still high. What should we do? Should we increase our water changes? We currently change 5 gallons per week.
Our SP is still 1.022. Should we increase water changes for this?

Temp 77.3
PH is 8.2
Nitrates 10 lower from 20 yesterday.
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
Oxygen 7
PO4 .1 up from .05
Calcium still 650.

Stopped the Az-NO3. Stopped the buffers. Stopped the kent calcium.

Just stumped regarding the Silica! What if anything should we do?

Thank you very much,
Andrea

 

[Andrea1]

Can I share what Kent additives we were told to add: Out tank was born on 5/19. We are adding these products twice a week. Per our reef guys instructions. Starting Tuesday, once a week.

Here they are:
Essential Elements
Iodine
Strontium & Molybdenum
Coral-vite
Coral Accel

Mind you we have no coral in our tank. Are all these essential?
What would you all advise?

Thank you,
Andrea

 

[SnowManSnow]

As far as the MH lighting it again depends on what you would like to keep. I would personally go for 2 400W MH bulbs. The K rating depends on how blue you would like your tank to look. I like the 14k BlueLine Bulbs myself. If you guys are handy at all you may consider making your own custom canopy to house a few retro kits. I know the world of lighting can seem a little expensive and confusing, but hang in there with it. You dont want to skimp on your lighting or on your skimming.

Additives... All I add, as well as several more ppl here, is B-Ionic 2 part additive. Has been working great for me for the last 8 mons or so.

Good luck!

Keep us posted.

B.

 

[HClH2OFish]

Can I share what Kent additives we were told to add: Out tank was born on 5/19. We are adding these products twice a week. Per our reef guys instructions. Starting Tuesday, once a week.

Here they are:
Essential Elements
Iodine
Strontium & Molybdenum
Coral-vite
Coral Accel

Mind you we have no coral in our tank. Are all these essential?
What would you all advise?

Thank you,
Andrea

IMHO, if you aren't testing for it, don't add it. Especially as you have no inhabitants in the tank at this point.

I'll let the others chime in as far as what additives are best once you get your corals going.

Just my .02 - your mileage may vary

 

[ZooKeeper1]

Water changes, a balanced calcium-alkalinity suppliment, and maybe a magnesium suppliment are all you will need.
If it says vital, you dont need it.

 

[Anonymous]

As far as the alkalinity test, I can not find anywhere how to translate the results other than Normal. Amazing!
We just tested today. After water change.
Our Silica is @ 1. We put in a poly filter on 5/13 and our level is still high. What should we do? Should we increase our water changes? We currently change 5 gallons per week.
Our SP is still 1.022. Should we increase water changes for this?

Temp 77.3
PH is 8.2
Nitrates 10 lower from 20 yesterday.
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
Oxygen 7
PO4 .1 up from .05
Calcium still 650.

Stopped the Az-NO3. Stopped the buffers. Stopped the kent calcium.

Just stumped regarding the Silica! What if anything should we do?

Thank you very much,
Andrea

Hi Andrea,
Im not sure about the silica to be honest. I never tested for it, and really never knew anyone that did? Hopefully someone else can help you with that.
I would suggest gettig a test for alkalinity that gives a reading rather than a "normal" because is it normal for a reef tank or just salt water?
Your salt adjustment will come with water changes, and just do it slowly. Mix up you new water to 1.025 and add it to the tank. 10-20% water changes once a week or so wil do this well over time.
Changing out only 5 gal on a 90 isnt going to do much. 10-20% would be 9-18 gallon change.
Your phosphates are increasing as well, due to the only small water changes or other reasons: You are overfeeding the tank, or your replacement water is no good. What are you using for replacement water?
I have used kents phosphate sponge with excellent results for lowering phos when I had it bad. You use it exactly like carbon for a couple of days.
Calcium will fal, i assure you if you do not add any. what salt mix are you using? Oceanic? Some salts are incredibly high in calc, others (instant ocean) are on the lower end.
Again, watch alk and ph while calcium drop!
How are you doing your water change water? do you let it circulate for 24 hrs or so before using?
It will come, dont worry! let the tank age a bit more before adding anything else, beleive me, you will be glad for it!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Can I share what Kent additives we were told to add: Out tank was born on 5/19. We are adding these products twice a week. Per our reef guys instructions. Starting Tuesday, once a week.

Here they are:
Essential Elements
Iodine
Strontium & Molybdenum
Coral-vite
Coral Accel

Mind you we have no coral in our tank. Are all these essential?
What would you all advise?

Thank you,
Andrea

I see no reason to add anything now at this point at all! He sold you a bunch of, well, crap. None of those are needed if you are doing water changes at the 10-20% range once a week. Maybe after you have a fully loaded tank with lots of coral you may want to look at it all again, but if you have been dosing this stuff without it beng used by living organisms, it is just building up in the tank.
The only exception, which i see you dont have, would be the 2-part b-ionic, which again you dont need right now.
I would suggest stopping adding anything now at this point and concentrate on proper water changes using 24 hr old circulated water mixed properly to the 1.025 range.
Come here and ask people before you buy or dose additives. LFS love to sell product! Most of it isnt needed.