New Tank: LFS guys kind of scared me..................

[MatthewScars]

I wouldnt say hydros are crap just not as easy to use or as accurate a

So they aren't easy to use, accurate, or trust worthy? Crap

 

[Master Shake]

yes it is true hydrometers are basically trash, they can be off by as much as 3 points in either direction depending on the temperature and if there are any water bubbles on the pointer. A refractometer is one of the best ways to test salinity. the only better more acurate way is to get a pinpoint salinity monitor. I have a used one i could sell you, pm me if you are interested. or if anyone else on this thread is interested send me a pm

 

[basiab]

Well, for starters, you will spend a lot more money in his store buying coral.

If there isn'n enough algae around he may be right. Being up 7 months does not have to mean that there is a lot of algae around. You are the best judge of that.
I am not a big fan of getting a crew all at once. I buy them as I see a need. Know what they can do for you and also know the pros and cons of each one before you decide to add them.

 

[juiceguy]

hydrometers are temp dependent, that is why we always get an inaccurate reading. most refracto's compensate for temps which makes them more accurate but they have to be calibrated from time to time.

 

[albano]

The LFS guys told me that the hydrometers are junk and they don't really work. Is that true? He showed me this long glass rod that he says is perfect. But its like $75 and I don't really want to spend the money on that. Thoughts?

was this it? a floating hydrometer ?

NO GOOD...they break way TOO easily!...you need both a hydrometer and a reflactometer...the hydrometer is very handy / easy to use, but can be inaccurate. You must know how to use it properly, and you actually CAN 're-calibrate' it. Once you know the TRUE reading from your refractometer, you will know how much to re-adjust the reading on the hydrometer. IE, if the true reading from a refrac. is 1.025, but your hydrometer says 1.022, you will know to add .003 to the reading, when you use it for a quick check. I always compare both when I use the refractometer.

 

[Dre]

I don't like the Turbo Snails anymore, they don't do a good job of cleaning algae ,you will have to give them a hand . If their food source run out they will starve to death .Some die for no apparent reason and if not found and removed your tank will crash.Two or three is OK but 15 is too much for a new 34 gal tank ,they pooh alot as well.That's extra bio /organic compounds building up IN THE TANK.

 

[AJimmy419]

So your saying I shouldn't put them in? There not the mexican turbo snails. I think there regular turbo snails that don't get that big.

 

[AJimmy419]

New Tank: Little starfish growing. Is this bad? LFS guys said they eat coral.

Hey guys. I got a 34 gallon redseamax from a previous owner who gave me his water, rock, and sand. I've noticed a bunch of little starfish in the tank, out of nowhere. Couple people on this forum told me that it was a good sign. But the LFS guys told me that they eat the coral and it is not a good thing. What are your thoughts?

 

[Mattl22]

I had 4 in my 34 for about a year no problems with them. 15 would be alot for such a small tank even if u put them in your tank they won't be hard to get out. I love the nas.. Snails they keep the sand looking nice and clean


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[AJimmy419]

Man. So how many of them should I keep?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Dude, what LFS has given you all of this information?

 

[Imbarrie]

Its good news,

The shrimp looking things are probably amphipods.

Google the starfish, some of them are killers.

 

[Lenny718]

Dude, what LFS has given you all of this information?

Yes, please tell us so it can be added to the list of LFS to AVOID!:tongue1:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Threads merged to keep everything organized for you.

 

[Dre]

So your saying I shouldn't put them in? There not the mexican turbo snails. I think there regular turbo snails that don't get that big.

Reguarding the snails:-Read what i said carefully i told you why i don't like them and why i don't keep them anymore.I can not tell you what to do sorry.

 

[Dre]

I don't like the Turbo Snails anymore, they don't do a good job of cleaning algae ,you will have to give them a hand . If their food source run out they will starve to death .Some die for no apparent reason and if not found and removed your tank will crash.Two or three is OK but 15 is too much for a new 34 gal tank ,they pooh alot as well.That's extra bio /organic compounds building up IN THE TANK.

Other members may have a different point of view but i've lost a few corals because of their deaths in my tank.

 

[tonyyammine]

ditch the lfs and try to do your research on here or reefcentral and buy your stuff from here the people here are the best...when your tank get established a little better and you are in brooklyn send me a pm and ill give u a nice piece of orange monti for your tank as a welcome to manhattan reefs you will learn alot here

 

[AJimmy419]

Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up keeping 4 of the smallest ones and gave the rest to the LFS. The LFS i was talking about earlier is not a LFS, but a wholesale warehouse. I'll have to ask my friend what the name was.

 

[AJimmy419]

ditch the lfs and try to do your research on here or reefcentral and buy your stuff from here the people here are the best...when your tank get established a little better and you are in brooklyn send me a pm and ill give u a nice piece of orange monti for your tank as a welcome to manhattan reefs you will learn alot here

TONYAMMINE. Thanks, and I probably will take you up on that offer. I visit my friends in brooklyn all the time. Man, I love this site. Thanks everyone.