First Post. Beginner questions.

[MyMonkey]

Hello. Relative newb here. New to saltwater that is. I just made purchase of a 58 gal Oceanic tank and stand. It had been sitting for a while and had a Nitrate spike in about 30 G of water . Came with around 70 lbs of LR and base rock. Also came with a Lunar Aqualight by Coralife- 192 watt. (uses one 96 watt Actinit 03 Blue and one 96 watt 10,000K Daylight lamp), The original light with 50/50 bulb, Prizm Protien skimmer, Air Pump, 4 Hermit crabs, around 1.5 inch sand bed, Heater, Emp 400 HOB, and a bucket of ods n ends with a book and little basket and sack of Brine shrimp. 8O I had no idea that it would come with so much stuff. Anyway, it seems as though I am doing ok for now on lighting. I read good things about the Coralife PC I have. I have read that the prizm is not the best skimmer but feel as though it should suffice for my current needs. As far as the sand is concerned, should I lay more down? It seems a little shallow 1-1.5 inches currently. Also, I have heard of using egg crates in FW tanks, should I use one on this tank with all the rock etc? Not sure about that. Any suggestions as to that or other equip I may need. (I realize now that a good pump wll save my recently surgically updated back :x ) Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to RDO!

The nitrate spike indicates you're going through a cycle due to the transferring the rock, sand etc (some of what was in it would have died in transit). Keep on doing water changes once a week and only start adding new purchases once nitrates are as close to zero as possible.

The first advice I'd give you is to buy an RO filter, which is a first essential step if you've not bought one already. Some swear by using tap water, but they're very much in the minority.

Second, ask yourself what you'd like to keep in there. If you only want to keep fish, this simplifies matters somewhat, but if you want corals, you'll probably better off with those with moderate light requirements under power compacts (i.e. probably rule out SPS, at least initially, though later you may be able to keep one of the hardier types).

Also confirm how old the bulbs in the lights are. They make look alright to the naked eye, but if they're too old, they'll be no good for corals (but excellent for algae).

You could add more sand and make it a deep sand bed (DSB), but that may well store up problems for the future if not properly maintained. A shallow sand bed may be safest for now, but a lot depends on what you intend to keep (fish, coral etc).

Let us know what you have your heart set on keeping, and it'll be easier to offer some more tailored advice.

 

[MyMonkey]

Well. The Nitrate spike was in the water before I bought the tank. I tossed out all that water. I am sure many things died while the tank sat half empty. Howver, there are many things living as well from what I see. I have a few polyps opening etc. Current nitrate level 2ppm. I am sure that will rise though. As far as what I want to keep. I will let the tank cycle a bit, then FOWLR untill I can expand to some invertebrates. My wife wants an anemone and some bright corals. I will be building a canopy and setting up my lighting differently in the future. I am having trouble telling whether the prizm skimmer is working. Can't see any bubbles in there. Hmmm. Thanks for the input.

Here is a pic of the new/used tank. Day one.

 

[Anonymous]

Looking good!

You might want to take the skimmer apart and give it a good clean. They should certainly be bubbles in there!

Keep doing those water changes until the nitrates come down permanently and make sure you invest in an Ro unit (if you've not done so already).

Any more questions, come back and ask!

Tom

 

[MyMonkey]

Thanks... I have been looking at the RO units. Not very expensive really. I am going to purchase some more LR locally. I need a few good pieces. Also, I figured out what was wrong with the skimmer. User error. I put the air line in the wrong hole. Lots of bubbles now. Brown goo as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent!

The RO units are definitely worth the investment and may lessen your algae problem later (algae will grow - there's not much you can do about that, but having RO water is one of the things lessens the impact, along with having grazers - snails and hermits).

And because I forgot last time, here's the proper welcome...

:welcome:

 

[MyMonkey]

I had two quick questions:

1. I am building a custom canopy for this tank. Should I go with a VHO setup or stick with PC. I currently have the Coralife 192 watt PC. ALong with a 50/50 bulb in the light that came with the tank. Any suggestions in this regard. It seems as though the VHO setups are infinitely more adaptable. I want to eventually be able to keep some Montipora coral and an anemone or two. (the wife wants to brighten it up)

2. Anyone know of a good overflow for a sump in a tank that's not drilled? I have not seen any discussion on them just yet. :?
Thanks.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Look for a Lifereef or Amiracle overflow box.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Good start on your tank!

I didn't see any power heads in there for water movement IMO you should consider 2 or 3 Maxijet powerheads. In addition to aiding in nutrient distribution to your inverts and corals they will also help maintain temp through evap. and help with some algae blooms.

Also, I'm not sure where you're considering buying RO filters at.. but check out the RODI units from www.buckeyefieldsupply.com I couldnt beat the price myself... I bought the 75gpd RODI, and it takes my water from 59TDS to 0TDS. Good filters..Good customer support.

I'm sure you'll get this eventually, so I'll go ahead. At least CONSIDER MH lighting. 192W ISNT a whole lot for 55g. I have 250W over my 37G reef, and sometimes I still wish for more haha. If you shop around a little youll find that MH really isnt that much more expensive than other alternatives..... running cost isnt as bad as some ppl would lead you to believe either Just somthing to consider.

GOOD LUCK!!
B

 

[ChrisRD]

I am building a custom canopy for this tank. Should I go with a VHO setup or stick with PC.

If it were my tank and I planned on having anemones and SPS corals in it in the future, I'd build the canopy to accomodate halides and just stick with the PCs until I was ready to upgrade. In the meantime I'd spend some money on a good skimmer and some powerheads.

Sounds like you're headed in the right direction. Good luck with your new setup.

 

[MyMonkey]

Thanks for all the input. I have a installed one Power head and one other Maxijet is on the way. Also, FYI, I went to the LFS to seek out some Bio Spira. The guy there offered me a less expensive means to the same end. I swapped out one of my Bio Wheels with them for free. (They have a special setup in the back with an amonia drip and tons of emp 400s running) Then I added a few small fish. A pair of clowns and one Damsel. They all get along great thusfar. The clowns are very inquisitive and greet me at the tank allready. However, At this point I am noticing a light brown algea film on several of the lighter colored rocks. Is this to be a concern at this early stage. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

If the algea your seeing is brown and "dusty" looking then it's diatoms. It's all part of cycling your tank. If it's green or red and "slimey" looking then it's cyanobacteria and still part of cycling.

Diatoms are caused by silicates in the water. Cyano is caused by excess nuturiants in the water. Frequent water changes with ro/di aged nsw will greatly help as will infrequent feedings. Don't over feed your fishys!

 

[bello0110]

That doesnt look like live rock, is it?

 

[MyMonkey]

The algea looks moreso brown and dusty. Thanks for the insight there. Also, it was all LR when I bought the tank. However, there was a lot of die off. I messed up when placing the rocks in the tank. I put the light lides toward the light. OOPS. As oposed to the darker sides. Not very live but a little I suppose. There are a few good pieces there though. I am just about to do some changing in the makeup of the rock wall and add a few choice pieces of LR. Thanks again for the info.

 

[MyMonkey]

I forgot to ask. Is the best option that the glass canopy be off the tank or on the tank. I recall from my FW days fish leaping from the tank. Is it better or simply personal preference?

 

[Anonymous]

glass top = less evap but more heat

topless = cooler tank but also carpet surfing fish.