12G up and running

[Thurge]

Yes and yes.
As the crab grows it will need larger shells. That is one of the reasons they take out snails, they want the larger shell.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Well just performed the first water change tonight. I mixed using a 5 gallon bucket and then did a 2 gallon change. Salinity is in the good zone and I will perform the first chemical test tonight since I was finally able to find a master reef test kit. Other than that the corals I got from Todd are doing awesome so far. I added some Red Sea Calcium +3 as well to give everything a boost. I will let you all know how the test turn out later tonight or tomorrow. I notice kinda a spider web look on some of the LR any idea what this could be from? Thanks in advance!

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

est Results
KH test: 6dkh 107.4 ppm KH (book calls between 8-12 dkh so little low)
Calcium test: 520 mg/L (ppm) little high
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0
Salinity: 31.5 1.022 Specific Gravity
Temperature: 76.9
The orange zoanthids are still not all open only like 4-5 heads are open so I am still kinda worried about this since this is by far m favorite thing in the tank. Other than that does everything else seem okay? Thanks in advance!

 

[eingals]

sent pm csupueblotim

 

[reefkoi]

Do some research on the relationship of calcium and alk. it seems to me that a dkh of 6 is near nsw and the calcium is way high. in the ocean I believe calcium is somewhere around 350-380 and dkh is 6-7 so you want to keep it balanced out. Again I am just going off memory here but if you look up alk and calcium in the "reef chemistry forum" here on Rc you should be able to find the correct numbers.

It will eventually all fall into place, don't try to buffer everyday and constantly correct numbers though, the tank should naturally balance out but it will take time IMO.

Also you salinity is pretty low, about what a fish only system or an old school reef would run. I try for 1.025-1.026 which is again close to natural seawater levels.

Chris

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Okay. I noticed today that even the hammer wasn't full bloom. I checked the salenity and its even lower now. Do you think I should do another emergency water change or get some more salt to add to the setup? Thanks!

 

[reefkoi]

I'd just add some really salty water , take a gallon jug of Ro and make it really salty and add some slowly till you get it up.
Don't go too fast though, just a little everyday till its higher and then just keep it stabile.
Do you have an auto topoff? if not I'd look into that, they are needed for all tanks I think especially small ones that can really fluctuate salinity.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

No I don't have an auto topoff. I have the water left in the 5 gallon bucket that I used to mix the salt in but even the salinity in that is low and it said the bag was good for 5 gallons....Anyway if I get the salinity correct by tomorrow do you think everything will come back out?

 

[racer69]

Tim, what kind of test kit are you using? Are you using a hydrometer or a refractometer? Give me a call, and I will see if I can give you a hand at getting everything balanced out.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

I am using a API Reef Master Test kit and a Red Sea Hydrometer. The zoanthids are opening a little more today so I am a little happier. I was going to get another small thing of sand to add to the water I have mixed still in the 5 gallon bucket to boost the salinity then remove some from the tank and some of that.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

I noticed that my hydrometer will change depend on where I dip it in my nanocube. What are of the tank do you guys recommend to dip into for accurate readings? I get readings about 1.025-1.026 down to 1.022. I pulled about a cup full of water from the tank and added salt to that and stirred and aerated it for like 5 minutes and added it to the tank. After about 10 minutes I checked the hydrometer and it was still a little low so I did the same thing and my highest reading I have gotten is about 1.026. Everything is looking better now. The zoanthids are looking like they want to open again.

 

[racer69]

The hydrometer will give different readings if there are micro bubbles in there. After you take a sample, pop the bottom against a table or some other hard surface to knock the bubbles up and off the arm. It shouldn't matter where in the tank you take the reading, if properly mixed it will read the same everywhere. A refractometer is more accurate but more expensive. I have one you can borrow for a day or two if you want.

 

[Thurge]

I would say that if you have good flow there shouldn't be a difference in any part of your tank, unless you just added top off water. I can see if you added topoff to the back, then that part being a little lower, but it should come back up pretty quickly in that area and drop a touch in the rest. I personally test from the skimmer section of my sump and use a Refractometer. A couple itty bitty bubbles on the hydrometer arm and it can throw off the measurement.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Alrighty I guess I will try knocking it against the table. I was moving it in the water to try and get rid off all the air bubbles, but maybe that wasn't enough. Everything is looking better now. I will try testing the salinity again later today. Just been busy with all this junk for school. Today is the last day of decorating and training. YAY! I will try to get some updated pics later tonight. Todd thanks again by the way its amazing what a few littler corals can do to the tank. The orange zoanthids are by far my most favorite in the tank

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

I have this sort or brownish yellow algae growing on the sand in front of my coral and on the glass. Do I need snails to take care of this or just more hermits? Also today while showing off the tank I was told them that I had two brittle star fish in the tank and a buddy of mine though they saw one and I looked and its a worm. I think I have at least 2. I will try to get pictures tomorrow. Also I adopted a small white star fish during one of my frag buys and ya now I have this little nickel size white starfish. I will probably need to get rid of it since it will get to big for my tank. I am going to definetly try to get updated tank pictures tomorrow and pictures of the worm and star fish for an ID. Today was move in day so ya this is basically my first free moment I have had since 8 this morning.

 

[reefkoi]

yes you need a few hermits and or snails. I really like the nassarius type snails. The star is probably an asterina <sp> since its so small. They will stay that small but have been known to eat some corals and they will multiply in your tank in no time.
C

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Okay. Guess I am going to have to just wait and see. If he starts messing with the corals he is out of here. LOL. I finally got the tank with pretty much everything I want in it. I am planning for possibly two percula clowns or maybe just a fire or neon blue goby. I guess I will go get some snails today along with some shells for the hermit crabs. I moved my candy cane and put it in the sand and the hermit crabs hang out in the hole of the new candy cane that hasn't fully developed yet.

 

[Darknes]

It sounds like the worm is a bristle worm (aka fireworm). They're harmless detritus feeders. I have hundreds of them in my tank.
There are a few species that are predatory, but those are very uncommon in tanks.

Just be sure not to touch the worms, their bristles will get stuck in your finger and cause a burning pain.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Okay Thanks for the warning. I haven't found one yet today to take a picture so maybe later on when I saw them yesterday they will be out. Anyway here are some pictures.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Since the water change yesterday the water seems to be hazy and not as clear. I checked all the levels and they are good. I cleaned the sponges and installed a new bag of carbon. Anything you all would recommend trying to get the water clearer? Thanks in advance!