90 gallon

[JonMayo]

So I recently had my first attempt at saltwater I started cycling 90 gallon 4 weeks ago. I have had multiple freshwater aquariums over the years. I have a 100lbs if Carib sea live sand and 80lbs of base rock in. Current readings are:
NH3 - 0
NO2 - 0
NO3 - 5ppm
I recently had a diatom bloom which appears to be dying back. Hoping to add a pair of clowns next week, if all things stay the same any issues with this? I may even add a small GSP frag again thoughts?

One other question I have is about flow. I have a fluval sea CP4, a fluval 306 (filled with carbon and GFO only), and a reef octopus 1000 HOB skinner running. Do you guys feel this is enough flow? If Ik add anything to the tank it moves entirely around the tank.

I included a picture of the tank. This is a picture from the first day I had it set-up

 

[sde1500]

Well parameters seem good for fish. And as far as corals go, GSP is about as easy as they come. What lights do you have?

As for flow, a skimmer obviously isn't for flow and wouldn't add much to a 90 gallon tank. I'd say only a single power head and filter isn't enough. I'd personally add at least another CP4.

 

[JonMayo]

For lights I have two 48” nemolights. I came across for next to nothing to start off. The intention obviously would be to upgrade when I get into any light hungry corals. My starting plans are some GSP and some zoas.

 

[Daddi0]

Yeah the Nemos are probably not going to help much for corals. They may help algae growth though. Pulsing Xenia and waving hand anthalia are probably ok choices with that light.
Cheers! Mark

 

[Nick_Northern]

Flow might be a bit on the low side but I would think as long as you have decent flow through the rocks you should be okay but you can always add more powerheads later if you start to notice deadspots. I run 2x gyres on my 90.
Just a thought but if you haven't already I would invest in a refractometer, they are fairly inexpensive. The hydrometer you have looks like a red sea one? I bought the same model originally and compared to my refractometer and a calibrated ysi probe I have access too it is way off.

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[RobZilla04]

Congrats on setting up the new tank. Some food for thought.

Flow: If you plan to get into LPS or certainly SPS you will need significant flow. For comparison I use to Jebao PP-8 on my 90g. Enough flow to where the sand bed particles are almost moving and the surface of the water has plenty of agitation.

Skimmer: That HOB skimmer will likely suffice for a little while but it has the change of quickly becoming undersized if you begin to stock more heavily with fish (which is usually the case). If you have, or plan to have, a sump consider a skimmer rated for between 120-150 gallons.

Lighting: I'm not familiar with the Nemolight but you can certainly get going with softies, zoas, and maybe some LPS. Based on the growth and response of those corals you can determine if it will be sufficient for SPS on the high 3rd of the aquascape.

Everyone seems to say that GSP is easy and thrives quickly. I've had at least 4 frag colonies whither away on me. Haven't had one last more than a couple of months. Placed them high, placed them low. Placed them in flow, placed them in calm. None.

Congrats and best of luck!

 

[homer1475]

You most defintely need more flow!

For comparison, I have an 80 cube. In my tank I have 2 mp10's and 2 pp8's as well as the return pump on locline on 2 opposite sides of the tank.

My tank is no SPS unless you count a plating monti, but have several LPS's, and a smattering of zoas here and there.

 

[JonMayo]

Thanks for help guys. I guess another power head it is.

 

[afish70]

I have a 90 Gallon reef and for flow in mine I have an Icecap 3K Gyre and it has plenty of flow and its programmable for different flow patterns for different times of the day. I have a Reef Octo Classic 2000 on my tank and have not had any problems.

 

[LeJeune981]

Congrats on setting up the new tank. Some food for thought.

Flow: If you plan to get into LPS or certainly SPS you will need significant flow. For comparison I use to Jebao PP-8 on my 90g. Enough flow to where the sand bed particles are almost moving and the surface of the water has plenty of agitation.

Skimmer: That HOB skimmer will likely suffice for a little while but it has the change of quickly becoming undersized if you begin to stock more heavily with fish (which is usually the case). If you have, or plan to have, a sump consider a skimmer rated for between 120-150 gallons.

Lighting: I'm not familiar with the Nemolight but you can certainly get going with softies, zoas, and maybe some LPS. Based on the growth and response of those corals you can determine if it will be sufficient for SPS on the high 3rd of the aquascape.

Everyone seems to say that GSP is easy and thrives quickly. I've had at least 4 frag colonies whither away on me. Haven't had one last more than a couple of months. Placed them high, placed them low. Placed them in flow, placed them in calm. None.

Congrats and best of luck!

I run 2 jebao pp4s on my 90.. both set to about half power...
Those Lil buggers can push some water!!
I have them on the back wall.. opposite corners... pointing to the front and center of the tank...and I get 2 great gyres in my tank.... my return pump flows alot..so it's aimed behind my rock work to push anything and everything out from behind the rocks...

I just got the jabeo pumps recently... and I am so glad I did.. best 97 bucks I've spent thus far for the 2 of them

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[Esh1]

Congrats on the setup! For comparison, my 90 has 2 mp40's which don't go higher than 50% of their power, as well as a sea swirl to rotate the flow of my return pump. I likely have a bit of overkill on the flow but would rather have more which I can adjust, and then carry over to another tank in 2-3 years when I upgrade to a larger tank. The mp40's are great as you can customize the flow and vary the schedule. It comes preprogramed with different setups which you can adjust later on.

 

[JonMayo]

Thanks again guys. I just ordered a Jabeo SW 8 on Black Friday so I should be good to go with flow now.