FROM FOWLR to REEF TANK? POINTERS? ADVICE?

[kernyboy]

So I started my 10G Nano a little while back. It cycled for for 6 weeks, and has been stocked for 2 months.


I have about 15lbs of live rock.

For filtration I'm using a BioWheel 100

For Water Flow an Aquatic Garden 600

I have about 10 lbs of live sand.

Lighting I'm using a 96Watt Coralite 50/50

I added corals about a week now and clearly I'm having algae issues. Does this ever go away? Any suggestions?

I've been reading up on Closed loop Refugiums. Is this necessary for my lil Reefer? What are the benefits?

At present I have two Perculas, 1 dottyback, Red Banded Shrimp, and a Long Spiny Urchin...but I'd like to add more color to the mix. Any advice on types of coral I should/could add that arnt TOO finicky as I'm still learning. Thanks.


Picture to Follow:

 

[payyourtoll]

algae - what kind? I and many others experience small algae blooms weeks or months after tank has cycled, usually due to some sort of problem. In my case, cyano algae was my battle for months. The solution was 3-part. 1> my RODI was in need of new membrane, the output was over 10ppm. 2> my filter socks were being changed 2x a week. I now change them daily. 3> flow. did not have enough.

more color to the tank with pc lights? Many zooanthids and palyathoas will do just fine under pc's and some have great colors.

 

[kernyboy]

can you recommes anything "flowy"

 

[payyourtoll]

huh?

 

[Sk8r]

Get an alkalinity test and some buffer: Kent is good. Maintain a ph of 7.9-8.3, salinity 1.025, steady, heat about 80, and an alkalinity of 8.3-9.3. (If your alk absolutely won't stay up, calcium and mg (with appropriate tests) can fix that.) With lower light, stay away from stony (which absolutely need magnesium/calcium), but some green button polyps would work. Green star polyp would work. Pumping xenia might work. Kenya tree might work. Finger leather might work. Run carbon, because softies spit. And do weekly 10% water changes. When corals get miffed, they shrivel. Keep them happy and you'll keep the fish happy, too.

 

[RiOnRoxXx]

I would also watch the Urchin in your tank now. I've heard and read or them eating polyps and coral.

Maybe some more flow and and check water quality. That was my biggest issue when I started up my 29gal.

 

[Sk8r]

The urchin may need to go back to the fish store: I've never had one bother corals---mine dodged them neatly---but what you have to feed it in this unalgaed a tank will cause algae to grow. (Phosphate issues: phosphate is bad for everything but algae.)