new 14 gallon set up

[jdantunes]

Lets be clear... care free tank means not having one. :crazy1:

Temperatures can go over 82F when lid is closed when the tank is sitting in room temperature of 78F. If you run your office cooler while the lights are on, then you won't have a problem.

Power compacts are strong enough to keep mushrooms and a large variety of corals, but keep in mind that they look cooler under full spectrum LED's and you can even see at some color morphs.

 

[timnem70]

You don't want to put ANYTHING in that basket until it cycles. +1 to jonnyu.
Slow down and research your options. Welcome and best of luck. Let us know how we can help in your journey.
Take the BIO BALLS OUT

 

[Jorge1717]

Thank you very much timnem70 and I will be asking questions

 

[rovster]

My temps would go upwards of 84+ with the feeding lid closed. I upgraded to LEDs and extra fans and problem solved. I would still prop the lid up.

FWIW, I grew a monti cap under the PCs. Growth and color improved tremendously with the addition of LED, but the PCs were fine. I did not try any acros under the PCs though, and I doubt it will work, but for Softies and most LPS should be adequate.

The things that helped the most with temp was the LED, extra fans, and MP10. I also ran an MJ900.

Evaporation was not an issue. I kept a gallon of water next to the tank and just poured it in daily. That tank was full manual, only timers for lights. Dosing and topoff all by hand and that tank did great.

Here is a pic early on. All was grown under PC at this point. Please excuse the blue tang, it came with the tank. 2 years later that fish is still alive in a MUCH larger tank.....








The start of my SPS addiction....

 

[Jorge1717]

That tank looks beautiful rovster thanks for the heads up

 

[Lacy]

You don't want to put ANYTHING in that basket until it cycles. +1 to jonnyu.
Slow down and research your options. Welcome and best of luck. Let us know how we can help in your journey.
Take the BIO BALLS OUT

There is nothing wrong with bio balls. For you to make such a comment like that and not state your opinion is not helping the op. Maybe you were having other problems and blamed it on the bio balls. Many people use bio balls with no problems at all. I used to use them on my frag tank and corals grew great with great color. If I were to set that tank back up I would definitely use them again.