Couple of questions about my tank? Apologies :(

[mjc041800]

Yep distilled is good.
I just double checked and ceramic *does* absorb copper and some of the dye medications. If you're going to be treating your qt you might want to stick to pvc pipes for the fish to hide in.

Cycle to dangerous levels? It might absorb medication, but otherwise no, bacteria will establish on anything and everything in a tank. It's harmless unless you get a wild overgrowth, which likely won't happen unless you're dosing bacteria, vodka, etc.

I think that is detritus in your second pic. Stuff comes off live rock and accumulates. You can gently siphon it out or ignore it.

You must be pretty close to the end of your cycle by now!

hth
ivy

Also would I need to have the distilled water for anything bad, just in case?

 

[RussIV]

Let me start out with that I am very sorry that my post, threads, thoughts, questions, etc. are all over the place. I was told by many many people that I am going to fast and I am all over the place. I just had some questions but I know that there were too many. I am thankful for those of you that told me these things and those of you that still answered my questions. Really! I understand that you guys have a life(tank ) too. I learned to ask questions in one thread and too take it slow, but if you don't mind me asking what do you guys mean by taking it slow? Thank you for answering all my nooby questions and I am truly sorry if I agrivated you. I must be a pain in the butt[on] I hope you still have the time and hope I don't get you mad from these questions. I just could use some critiecs and experties. Thank you!

Info of my tank: I have a 36 gallon bow front (30"L and 19"H) with a marine land penguin 280 hob filter with a bio wheel and a sea clone instant ocean protein skimmer that goes up to 100 gallons. No sump (yet) but I want to get one in the future, but right now it is too much. If you want you could give me some tips on making a sump or getting one, but you don't have too. I have to power heads that have the tank going in a circular motion. I have 30lbs. of porous live rock and 30lbs. of live sand(agri-something, I can't remember). My QT is about 5-10gal. with a small tetra 5-10 gallon filter, a small heater, and I plan to get a small power head and a led light fixture for the coral. I might put something a little higher in the QT for the coral to be on, closer to the light. I plan to get and hang a marsaqua led light fixture.

1. Do you recommend to get the 16" marsaqua led and hang it a little higher to get full coverage, or just get the 24"?
probably wouldnt make a difference. some corals like direct light, others lesser

2. I was told by a bad lfs to start dosing all these supplements right away (reef complete, reef carbonate, iodide, strontium, marine buffer, and stability) for a while but I later learned that I shouldn't have so I stopped dosing all. And I am not dosing strontium or iodide any more. I don't plan to get stro. and iod. test since I won't be dosing them any more, should I have them tested at a lfs and find out if the levels are safe? Do you recommend to get separate dosing bottles? What dosing and tests should I absolutely have?
dont dose what you cant test and measure. playing mad scientist without tests and results is a quick way to crash a tank and start over.

3. What do you guys think about pet Co real ocean water? I have been using it.
probably fine for softies and lps and some sps. if you are grabbing a millepora, id probably want to make my own.

4. Do you recommend 10%WC 1xwk or 15% every other wk?
measure your nitrate and po4 increases each week. bigger increases demand bigger % water changes to export. otherwise incorporate more media like matrix, lr, fuge, ats etc

5. Do you guys have any tips on making you're tank and equipmen look really nice?
good husbandry. weekend cleaning. no whack parameters of calcium precipitation or po4 through the roof.

6. I was thinking about using blue wrapping paper as a background for my tank. I might get the chance to laminate it but probably not. What do think about using it? Would I be able to use the apply stuff/solution?
why? the corraline and other algae are on the inside and will cover it up. again... good husbandry. if you like it, go ahead though. ive seen many different back-tank covers and this will work just fine.

7. Do you think I would be happy with a softie only tank or will I eventually want lps or sps because of "how cool they are"? What is the lowest lighting/fixture (ex.?) possible for softies? I would only go a softie dominant tank to save money on the lights, but if I won't be happy having only softies (which I don't think I will) I will get the more expensive lights.
avoid xenias. put green star polyps in a place you can remove easily. generally if you can keep softies you can keep lps ime. i could be wrong if you are using some 5w cfl you got at walmart for lighting. some lps can be forgiving as well

8. I saw a refractometer for about 20 bucks and it had the same accuracy rating as a hydrometer. Is it still better or is it a cheap one? If so what are the prices of the good ones?
should be fine as long as it is calibrated. use tap or rodi/distilled water and make sure it hits 0. if you have to use calibration fluid your refractometer is shot. distilled water will always be 0

9. So i plan to order a diy brs screen top kit and make one fit for my tank because it is really hard to find a clear top for it and they are a little pricy. I am going to do a little modifications but do you think i could do it? Any tips or cheap alternatives?i dont know. is bob villa your dad? should be simple enough, but that is on you

10. How are you suppost to keep stable needed water parameters/trace elements in a QT for corals and inverts? How much and how often should I do WC for the QT? What other maintence is needed for a QT? Would a small diy protien skimmer be good?water changes only with a quality salt mix

11. If I wait a little bit after the tank has cycled (like if I'm not ready or something) would I start to starve the lr and ls? How long would I have? How could I keep the live rock and sand from starving? roughly a month. they are hardy. however the colonies will be greatly diminished. this is just my experience only.

12. Is it OK to use the same siphon, net, drip container, etc. between your DT and QT? How would you clean/disinfect those? Do you know how to make a diy quick and cheap siphon or net?use the same one. doesnt matter ime. most parasites are on a host. not your net.

13. How do you clean/disinfect a QT and everything with it after a disease, etc. was introduced? How do you clean it and make it safe for corals and inverts from the use of carbon and other bad things for them?
empty and refill. copper doesnt hang around in silicone like other misnomers state.

14. Any good maintence tips?if you have a shallow sand bed clean it weekly. never ever neglect the substrate or you will kick yourself. one popular method is to siphon sand from the dt to a filter sock in the sump

15. Do I really even need my filter if I have a skimmer? Would the tank be OK with just the skimmer? Or vise versa? filter will grab more uneaten debris ime. skimmer will grab everything, including life that eats debris.

16. Any other tips? Would be nice! keep nitrates above phosphates and never hit absolute 0.

17. Any cool, interesting , fun, etc. fish, coral, and inverts you recommend?duncans based on your questions. also watchman goby pistol shrimp pair.

Thank you so much for taking your time to answer my questions!!!!!! Sorry it is sooooo long........

 

[mjc041800]

Thank you

 

[mjc041800]

And how would I quarantine the pair? If I split them up will they not pair up any more? Can you just pair any goby with any pistol shrimp?

 

[RussIV]

And how would I quarantine the pair? If I split them up will they not pair up any more? Can you just pair any goby with any pistol shrimp?

they will find each other. i have a 7 foot long tank and my shrimp dove in like no one's business. watchman shortly after. he was alone for a couple days, but found him just fine.

yellow watchman only.

i had a pistol and another goby and they didnt pair in my younger-days tank

 

[mjc041800]

they will find each other. i have a 7 foot long tank and my shrimp dove in like no one's business. watchman shortly after. he was alone for a couple days, but found him just fine.

yellow watchman only.

i had a pistol and another goby and they didnt pair in my younger-days tank

Should I introduce them at the same time?

 

[RussIV]

Should I introduce them at the same time?

wont matter. they will pair eventually.

could just get the pair as-is at a lfs. pretty common symbiosis.

 

[mjc041800]

wont matter. they will pair eventually.

could just get the pair as-is at a lfs. pretty common symbiosis.

And would it be OK to keep them with 2 cleaner shrimp, a sea serpent or brittle sea star, blue tuxedo urchin, hermit crabs, snails, and maybe a sea hare or slug (these are just future ideas/plans for stocking) thank you again you are being so helpful

 

[RussIV]

And would it be OK to keep them with 2 cleaner shrimp, a sea serpent or brittle sea star, blue tuxedo urchin, hermit crabs, snails, and maybe a sea hare or slug (these are just future ideas/plans for stocking) thank you again you are being so helpful

id defer to others on this question.

ime they never bugged anyone. im sure someone has some crazy experience where those 2 decimated their live rock and killed a tang or something whack lol.

 

[mjc041800]

id defer to others on this question.

ime they never bugged anyone. im sure someone has some crazy experience where those 2 decimated their live rock and killed a tang or something whack lol.

Yeah prob thanks

 

[jayball]

Just throwing this out there... if you are that dead set on buying water just ignore me.

BRS value RODI @ 135 right now (same one I have to support my 90 gallon tank) will work just fine for you assuming your water is not treated with chlorimines(you can call water company to find out). You will be recouping the cost very quickly seeing as how you are paying over 2.00 a gallon for your water change water. To be honest though the real value is in not having to lug water from the store to home. Get a hand held TDS meter as well to monitor your RODI or to double check any water you buy for top-off. Be wary of the distilled water dispensers, I have heard they can contain trace copper (from the distillation process in copper tubes) and if used for top-off can eventually climb to dangerous levels

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-value-ro-di-system-75gpd-2.html

Also Amazon is a great place for salt

http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocean...80&sr=8-1&keywords=Instant+Ocean+Sea+Salt+160

 

[mjc041800]

Hey guys it's me again, I didn't want to make another thread , hopefully people see this still, but will either the marineland double bright led or reef capable led work for all coral. I was thinking of getting one of these because of how convenient they are. Any reviews from using them. Thanks

 

[Quiet_Ivy]

Hey guys it's me again, I didn't want to make another thread , hopefully people see this still, but will either the marineland double bright led or reef capable led work for all coral. I was thinking of getting one of these because of how convenient they are. Any reviews from using them. Thanks

Hey how is your tank going?

The double bright, despite what it says, isn't for marine tanks. Colour temp is 6k (Much too low), and it's only got 1 watt leds. Par is something like 30 8" down. (That's barely enough to keep a mushroom coral alive)

Reef capable looks better, tho it's still 1 watt leds. Their site says PAR at 12" is 130, and at 64 at 24". I doubt you'd keep sps happy but you could have a fair number of corals in the top half.

The reef capable light is 291$. For that price BUY A KESSIL ! The 160e is $239 (plus some for hanging kit or whatever).

hth
Ivy (I want a dang kessil light, grumble grumble exchange rate grump

 

[mjc041800]

Hey how is your tank going?

The double bright, despite what it says, isn't for marine tanks. Colour temp is 6k (Much too low), and it's only got 1 watt leds. Par is something like 30 8" down. (That's barely enough to keep a mushroom coral alive)

Reef capable looks better, tho it's still 1 watt leds. Their site says PAR at 12" is 130, and at 64 at 24". I doubt you'd keep sps happy but you could have a fair number of corals in the top half.

The reef capable light is 291$. For that price BUY A KESSIL ! The 160e is $239 (plus some for hanging kit or whatever).

hth
Ivy (I want a dang kessil light, grumble grumble exchange rate grump

Ok thank you yeah my tank is doing amazing got it tested at the LFS and said it was ready for some fish so I got a pair of clowns some critters and an urchin love this tank

 

[CStrickland]

Glad to hear your tanks doing well!

I'd keep shopping, neither of those is money well-spent IMO
There's a few threads already about diff lights, but I don't think you should be shy to start a new one. Searching the forums beforehand is always appreciated, but most of us remember how confusing and overwhelming it was to pick our lights so it's no big deal.

Fwiw I think my eBay "black box" aka "Chinese" LEDs are a great starter light. They are $80 and grow most anything. I got them from a company called marsaqua, but there's a few doing the same style. You'd be in between needing one, or two, but if the budget needs to be spread out you could always start with dim corners and add another down the line.

 

[mjc041800]

Glad to hear your tanks doing well!

I'd keep shopping, neither of those is money well-spent IMO
There's a few threads already about diff lights, but I don't think you should be shy to start a new one. Searching the forums beforehand is always appreciated, but most of us remember how confusing and overwhelming it was to pick our lights so it's no big deal.

Fwiw I think my eBay "black box" aka "Chinese" LEDs are a great starter light. They are $80 and grow most anything. I got them from a company called marsaqua, but there's a few doing the same style. You'd be in between needing one, or two, but if the budget needs to be spread out you could always start with dim corners and add another down the line.

OK Great! Thank you so much

 

[mjc041800]

Glad to hear your tanks doing well!

I'd keep shopping, neither of those is money well-spent IMO
There's a few threads already about diff lights, but I don't think you should be shy to start a new one. Searching the forums beforehand is always appreciated, but most of us remember how confusing and overwhelming it was to pick our lights so it's no big deal.

Fwiw I think my eBay "black box" aka "Chinese" LEDs are a great starter light. They are $80 and grow most anything. I got them from a company called marsaqua, but there's a few doing the same style. You'd be in between needing one, or two, but if the budget needs to be spread out you could always start with dim corners and add another down the line.

Also quick concerning question that has been on my mind for a while and I need relief...

Have I spent more money than I should have on my 36 gallon, I have spent about 1500 so far sort of including the fish?

Like what are the price ranges for some tanks if you can even give me an idea? I don't won't to be rude so I am not going to ask your guys total.

Money was never really the issue and I love this hobby so much!! I am wanting to be a marine biologist It is money well spent! I just don't want to feel like I was given wrong ideas and impressions from people just for them to get the money out of me...

Thank you

 

[CStrickland]

That's a really good question! Being cheap has really challenged me to learn more about our tanks, like you can throw a bunch of money away in this hobby on unnecessary filters, potions, and shabby lights.

So I got a good heater and return pump for my overflow, and learned enough about lights so I could spend my $ on stuff that'd make coral grow better, instead of spendy remote controls and stuff (then I put my lights on those $6 vacation lamp timers). It's kind of a trade off where you spend time researching instead of money.

Also, I'm pretty hands on with my tank. I vacuum the sand and use a turkey baster to blow poop out of the rocks every week (takes like 15 min). I think this is why I've been able to keep my nutrients low without a skimmer or any reactors, which is good cause the skimmer I want is faaaancy so I have time to save up for it. Meantime I sewed some filter socks out of felt from Walmart and run the overflow into them. This part is a trade off of time spent cleaning and swapping socks instead of money.

I got a craigslist tank, $2 a pound dry rock, dry sand, built my overflow and sump out of dumpster dives, $12 sunsun powerheads, I make my own food and I use cheap salt. I started with cheap test kits cause in the beginning everything is all over the place anyway and you go through them very fast, as I ran out the diff tests from the kit I replaced them with better ones.

I spent less than $500 to set up, but I just bought a rodi cause my tank sitter over fed this summer and I want to get back on track quicker. I think I'm around $700 now, stock not included. It's not for everyone, like I wouldn't recommend someone else use tap water. But it worked for me cause I love my tank and I'm not broke

 

[mjc041800]

That's a really good question! Being cheap has really challenged me to learn more about our tanks, like you can throw a bunch of money away in this hobby on unnecessary filters, potions, and shabby lights.

So I got a good heater and return pump for my overflow, and learned enough about lights so I could spend my $ on stuff that'd make coral grow better, instead of spendy remote controls and stuff (then I put my lights on those $6 vacation lamp timers). It's kind of a trade off where you spend time researching instead of money.

Also, I'm pretty hands on with my tank. I vacuum the sand and use a turkey baster to blow poop out of the rocks every week (takes like 15 min). I think this is why I've been able to keep my nutrients low without a skimmer or any reactors, which is good cause the skimmer I want is faaaancy so I have time to save up for it. Meantime I sewed some filter socks out of felt from Walmart and run the overflow into them. This part is a trade off of time spent cleaning and swapping socks instead of money.

I got a craigslist tank, $2 a pound dry rock, dry sand, built my overflow and sump out of dumpster dives, $12 sunsun powerheads, I make my own food and I use cheap salt. I started with cheap test kits cause in the beginning everything is all over the place anyway and you go through them very fast, as I ran out the diff tests from the kit I replaced them with better ones.

I spent less than $500 to set up, but I just bought a rodi cause my tank sitter over fed this summer and I want to get back on track quicker. I think I'm around $700 now, stock not included. It's not for everyone, like I wouldn't recommend someone else use tap water. But it worked for me cause I love my tank and I'm not broke

Can I ask how big is your tank?

 

[CStrickland]

It's a 55. This pic is from May, I have a bit of algae rn and the corals are hiding cause I did a summer internship out of town. But I don't think anything is all the way dead so hopefully I'll be back on track and take more recent pics soon

I forgot to say stocking slowly saved money too. Not every coral will make it, and you learn them as you go. If you have an idea ahead of time for all the fish and coral, but add them slow, it seems to go easier.