New in the REEF Hobby...Im scared!!

[ssungyo]

Ive had my 30 gallon tank running for 4 weeks now. around the third week i added some mushrooms into the tank and noticed that they were doing very very well! Everything seems to have balanced out beautifully. I have started with 30 pounds of PREMIUM FIJI live rock! THis stuff was sooo good, i paid 6 dollars a pound at wholesale! i have around 30 pounds of live sand in the tank and the water levels are pristine. My lighting consists of 1- 175 watt metal halide with a 140000K bulb. I have been topping off the water daily and adding Kent marine pro buffer daily.

my main problem is....im scared to begin the process of adding corals because i dont know what to expect. so far its been going very well, but i am afraid of the future and my water fluxuating. i dont know how many more chemicals i need to invest in, and how much more trouble this tank is going to cause me! HELP ME PLEASE! i want to know the basic steps to follow in order to keep this tank up and running successfully! thanx! guys!


1- 30 gallon 24"Lx24"Hx13"W
1- Emperor 280
1- Remora Pro Protien Skimmer
30 pounds- PREMIUM FIJI LIVE ROCK
30 Pounds- Live Sand


Nitrite-0ppm
Ammonia-0ppm
Nitrate-5ppm
Salinity-1.21

 

[ratziel]

On your salinity did you mean 1.021 because if not you are way to high.That's also a specific gravity measurement as salinity is measured in ppt.

 

[ssungyo]

oops! i did mean 1.021! sorry!

 

[EricHugo]

Moving you to "new to the hobby forum"

 

[Leviathan]

i dont know how many more chemicals i need to invest in

Well for one thing,,,aside from keeping your ph/cal/alk/sg/temp stable, there really is no need to invest in other "chemicals" regular water changes will provide the majority of your trace element replenishment.

Also you should consider raising your SG to around .025-.026, and invest in a refractometer to get a more accurate reading than the plastic swing arms ( if thats what you have ).

Best advise is to read up on anything you intend to purchase beforehand, and make sure you can provide the care the animals will need. Dont be afraide to ask questions here, and search the RC database, there is tons of info to be found.

HTH

 

[Hemmie]

Like Leviathan said, the best thing is to search for each specific Coral here on RC. If you see a "Flowerpot" at your LFS, resist...come back to RC and search.

There are a lot of threads about "what's the best starter/easy Corals?"
I agree with raising your SG too.

Your water params "may" fluctuate (*will* actually), but additives aren't the answer. Test frequently and do weekly water changes for a while.

If your tank is only 4 weeks old, make sure you go SLOWLY. Even if you've cycled, a cycled tank is not a mature tank. If you add fish, you'll be rocking the boat, so add slowly ....one a month.

Read, read READ!!

 

[Konadog]

ssungyo, not only is RC one of the best places to get information for the care of you reef, but you live in the middle of "reefer madness" here in So. Cal. You should check out this forum and then check out one of the local clubs in the area. There are two of them, MASLAC is having its semi annual frag swap tonight (5-9) and SCMAS, both are great clubs and are also a wealth of information.

 

[Evergreen]

Try some Xenia:rollface:
I took 3 stalks fresh cut from a guy in my club, rubber banded it to a rock, and within 3 days they were attached. Already growing new polyps/spreading! My tank is new too (like 4 weeks) and is currently green, the xenia are probably enjoying whatever it is in my water! Might be a good place to start.. if you can get some local ( heard it doesn't ship well)

 

[Ti]

try 1.205

 

[PatMayo]

ssungyo,

I would not add buffer. It will not be good for the long term health of your tank.
I would use a commercial 2 part additive like B-Ionic Calcium and Alklinity. Or if you want save some significant dollars try Randys two part formula. I really would not add anything else to the tank except those two items and Magnesium.

The best test kits that I have found are made by Salifert. If you do regular partial water changes your trace elements will be replaced. Ph is also something that is very important to the critters. This is best measured by an electronic meter.

Here are a few threads that I hope you find helpful.

Regards,

Pat

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[richfavinger]

I agree put your SG at around 1.024 to 1.026 (many use 1.025). Reefs tend to run saltier then fish only systems. LFS also keep there SG low to prevent ick, not a major issue in a properly setup home system.

For a fist coral I'd try some yellow polyps, some zoe's or maybe an open brain.
Do your research before you add any thing, and resist impulse buys, know your stuff first!
Good luck!