Hello Everyone!

[Jottersten]

I am new to keeping a saltwater reef system. It has been quite a struggle in the past few weeks to get this up and running. I am now in the Diatom bloom stage. I made a mistake and cleaned out the tank, scrubbed all the rocks and re set it. I didn't know this was a natural event. I shouldn't have added the corals and fish just yet. I do have a 20 high running that I can put my corals into until the bloom and eventual spikes occur. Thank you for your time and viewing this. John
I currently have a 75 gallon.
Here is a rundown on what is inside of it.
2 Marineland bio wheels 350
1 Eheim classic 250
2 aqueon 500 circulation pumps
2 Euphoria 16" led lighting
2 300 watts heaters
40 lbs crushed coral substrate in the back
60 lbs live land in the front
100 lbs genuine Florida live rock
100 lbs of cultured Fiji rock
16 assorted corals
2 OC clowns
2 Canary Blennies
4 assorted Damsels
1 blue linkia starfish
1 carpet anenome
1 condy anenome
1
1 snail
2 baby hermit crabs

 

[Nate1984]

How long since your cycle competed? Did you add all that stock at once? What are your current water parameters?

 

[Capt.Nemo]

Wow, that's a lot. Not the expert here, but after losing everybody in the first run of my 75, and reading, patience is a godsend. From what I understand, your Anenome's would be best with a more established system. In moving folks to your 20, it most likely would not be enough room. Maybe leave Damsels in 75. I year they can be real D#@K's in a tank, let alone cramped into a 20.
But yes, Detritus will happen, lessen feeding amounts and they will die off.

 

[anthonys51]

i would also change your rocks. you want to arrange them so there not as jammed packed. you want flow to be able to run though them so detrious and dead pockets dont happen

2 Marineland bio wheels 350, 1 Eheim classic 250 these arent the best filters for a reef tank. they can be nitrate traps. i would return them if you can, get yourself a good protein skimmer. also circulation pumps are 2 small. 500gph isnt that much for a 75 gallon tank. i would go with min of 2 1350 gph ones or bigger

 

[snorvich]

Hope you enjoy your time here!

[welcome]

 

[gone fishin]

:wave: Welcome to the forum.

There is a good sticky at the top of the forum called setting up, look for the big red arrow, it is full of great info. Good luck

 

[Jottersten]

Thank you for the useful information. I already dropped over $1400.00 in this so far and I do not see any upgrades anytime soon. I can and will make do with what I have for now. I knew an old timer that used nothing but two small air stones in his 100 gallon reef system when I was a kid.

 

[shelden816]

Welcome!

:beer:

 

[Happyschneider]

Thank you for the useful information. I already dropped over $1400.00 in this so far and I do not see any upgrades anytime soon. I can and will make do with what I have for now. I knew an old timer that used nothing but two small air stones in his 100 gallon reef system when I was a kid.

He probably did not keep anemone in that set up

If you already had your spikes (ammonia and nitrite) which it sounds like as the diatoms came out (at least for me that happened after the spikes) then you probably are fine. You still might want to check for ammonia and nitrite just to be sure and have some prime on hand just in case.

The filters are fine as long as you don't use thise sponges in there. The skimmer is an excellent addition if you want to keep things that need very low nitrate and phosphate levels. Not sure about your anemone but I thought they need excellent and very stable water values. Keep an eye on them in case they start hiding in the rocks. Then it is time to act.

Good luck and happy discussing here

 

[Nate1984]

Well it sounds like you are pretty sure of your setup. Let us know how it goes. We are here to help if you have any issues.

 

[Jottersten]

I tested my water this morning and all my levels are where they should be. I noticed green algae has replaced the diatom bloom, guess that's a good thing. I even broke apart the rocks and spaced them out for better circulation.

 

[boojumsnark25]

Welcome to RC! Might want to look at stacking the rocks instead of piling, as someone mentioned earlier it will help with flow

 

[Jottersten]

How's this for starters?

 

[frey]

rock work looks much better now!