Scarsdale Newbie!!

[Pseudo]

You really need to slow down and figure out the right equipment "BEFORE" you set a saltwater tank back up. A seaclone skimmer is just not a good piece of equipment for any size tank let alone a reef aquarium. Fluval filters are only good for chemical filtration on a reef, good for mechanical with regular cleaning (weekly) for a fish only because of the nitrate producing properties.

Depending on size of tank, the least I would recommend is a Euroreef RS skimmer which can be had online "NEW" for $150 shipped. It's a set and forget type of skimmer (still needs cleaning but on a longer schedule). Live rock for biological filtration and some basic carbon filter bags or the fluval if you prefer. You need to setup a more balanced life supporting tank more than anyone. Inexperience can cause problems very quickly, is very costly down the line and frustration that may make you quit the hobby. A drilled tank or reef ready tank is one of the more important thing to think about nowadays as the hobby moves away from simple hang-on tank equipment. You can find one here on the board for a few dollars. You will also have more equipment choices and an easier time hiding things if under the tank. Free tanks are more expensive sometimes if not well thought out.

Make your hobby a pleasent one. Research ...

 

[BlueSi4]

Ok, so i finally added a skimmer to my main tank. I got a Remora AquaC from Marrone and installed it in the tank. So far i'm not getting too much waste in the collection cup.
In addition, i added a Mexican turbo snail and 3 smaller snails, but i have a question. Since i added the snails, they don't seem to move, what could be the cause? They are just sitting on the bottom of the tank, not moving and they've been in the tank for about 2 days now.

 

[reefman]

take them out n smell them. if they smell like your 3 day old socks, they'r dead.

 

[BlueSi4]

take them out n smell them. if they smell like your 3 day old socks, they'r dead.

It seems that only one of the small snails was alive.
What could have caused the snails to die??

 

[marrone]

Did you get your levels corrected? When I tested them on Sat the SG was very low, 1.015, and the Ph was about 7.8

 

[reefman]

snails r usually very hardy once acclimated n not prey upon.
your case may be acclimation.

 

[BlueSi4]

Did you get your levels corrected? When I tested them on Sat the SG was very low, 1.015, and the Ph was about 7.8

Yes i did a big water change, bumped the salt level to about 1.24 or so, PH didn't change much...close to a 8.
Maybe i just need the tank cycle some more before adding anything else.

 

[KathyC]

Oriol...what are you measuring the salinity with...refractometer or a hydrometer? Was it just the water change water that tested at 1.24 or the entire tank after you did the water change?

btw - you should acclimate inverts when you purchase them

 

[BlueSi4]

Still getting a reading of 1.0ppm for Phosphates.
I feed them a cube of Mysis Shrimp, plus the seaweed for the Hippo. I don't think I overfeed, since i wait until they ate the whole thing before i give them more, what is causing my phosphates to be so high??
BTW, it's a red sea test kit

 

[Craig]

one thought..try washing the mysis in ro water in a strainer.

 

[KathyC]

As Craig mentioned you want to rinse off the food in a net before feeding the tank, it's suspected the fluid the mysis is forzen in has phosphates in it.
Remember that prior to your finally getting your rodi unit, you were using tap water. Since it hasn't been that long, you more than likely still have some original water in your tank.. you can increase the volume and frequency of your water changes and that will also help reduce your phosphates.
Add to that..your rock will continue leeching phosphates..since rock & sand do absorb them.
Since I'm on a roll..there are probably phosphates in your salt mix...you might want to try testing that when you mix up a new batch of SW..you will be unpleasantly surprised. Some folks run a Phosban Reactor on their newly mixed SW before doing their water changes to make sure they are removed before their water changes..the other option is adding one to your tank. Would cost you about $50 for a reactor, media & Maxijet to run it.

 

[basiab]

This thread came up on the home page so I read the first page and the last. What a waste of time and effort. After months of getting help he does a water change going from 115 to 124 and he does not know why his snails died. Aside from that why did it get to 115. The only value in this thread is to learn what not to do.

 

[BlueSi4]

This thread came up on the home page so I read the first page and the last. What a waste of time and effort. After months of getting help he does a water change going from 115 to 124 and he does not know why his snails died. Aside from that why did it get to 115. The only value in this thread is to learn what not to do.

I guess i can't get help from you then. My tank has been up since June and only the snails died, everything else is fine there, so i guess not everything i'm doing must be wrong. Sorry that the equipment i have is not top notch, maybe a refractometer would help get better readings, just maybe.
I've gone through 2 hydrometers, and each one of them gives me a different reading, but most of the time is at 1.021. Then Marrone tested the water and said it was low, and i've been working on getting the salinity up.
If you don't have anything positive to say, don't even bother posting. I'm getting help from the persons that are willing to help, and i've been learning.

 

[KathyC]

This thread came up on the home page so I read the first page and the last. What a waste of time and effort. After months of getting help he does a water change going from 115 to 124 and he does not know why his snails died. Aside from that why did it get to 115. The only value in this thread is to learn what not to do.

Basiab..maybe the next time you should take the time to read the whole thread before you jump on someone. Blue has been a great newbie, asked intelligent questions, welcomed the advice he's been given and kicked himself for what has gone wrong. Plus he kept it all on one thead as a history to anyone who takes the time to read it...

I'd push refractometer higher on the list of things to buy..up to the top..lol
You want the sg to be stable and at the right level, your fish will love you for it

 

[BlueSi4]

What refractometer should i be looking to buy? Because i went on ebay and i found a couple, but i'm not sure how reliable or how good they work. Any tips/hints?

 

[KathyC]

Can you post links of the ones you found? We'd be happy to spend your $ for ya
It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive..just reliable!

 

[BlueSi4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Salinity-Refrac...ryZ20755QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/USED-SYBON-REFR...yZ116419QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

they are about $30 or so...

 

[KathyC]

The first one looks good to me and it includes shipping..good deal.
Never heard of the second thing..you don't want 'used' unless it comes from one of the folks here..and looks like the first one.

 

[BlueSi4]

Thanks Kathy, just bought the first one!

Hopefully now i will get more accurate readings!

You still have to answer my PM, haha

 

[KathyC]

Lol Oriol... congrats on the purchase!
Can only take a fast look tonight..I'll PM ya shortly..