New Nano Questions

[showstoppr88]

Hey guys n gals would love input, I started my first nano with goals of making a great looking reef in my bedroom. I'm really new to this process as my 125g is a FOWLR, do well with that. I keep that tank around 1.021 with salt it looks like 1.025-6 is best for the reef so I have my nano there now.

Some issues or questions I have.....
Having trouble keeping at 78 degrees my tank is at 80 is that too hot? If so what can I do?

I have a biocube, sorry should have mentioned that 12 gallon. I have a 1 inch live sand bed with about 10lbs of live rock from my other tank. In the back I bought the corallife skimmer (mixed reviews but it was cheap why not) I have a 150W heater set at 76 degrees in chamber 1. Chamber 2 I have floss under the cover plate followed by purigen bag on top of a chemi pure elite bag then live rock rubble under those. I kept the trap door in, do you think I should take that out for more live rock or media?

I would like to have seahorses in this tank VERY new to that so I do have "pole" type areas for them to grab onto. What would be a good tank mate to a seahorse?

Clean up crew....would love suggestions reading a lot of conflicting stuff there?

What would be a good test kit to get started? Reef master kit for ATI?

I noticed today that my PH was pretty low compared to my bigger tanks is that normal during the cycle period? If not what would be best to get it raised?

Thank you so much in advance really looking forward to doing this right and learning something new in the hobby.

 

[soulpatch]

throw out the coralife skimmer and count your blessings.
salinity should be up around 1.025 for reef
I like warmer temps around 78 personally 80 is not horrible but lowering temps is easily solved with small fan.

You didnt mention an ATO. I recommend one.

I personally HATE API test kits.

Can comment on sea horses. Never tried them.

 

[FindingEmily]

I would HIGHLY suggest reading the threads on seahorses. They really should be kept in species specific tanks and I believe they like cooler water. I don't think they do very well in "regular" reef tanks, so unless you're planning on having only seahorses in a dedicated tank, I would steer clear.

 

[sde1500]

Some issues or questions I have.....
Having trouble keeping at 78 degrees my tank is at 80 is that too hot? If so what can I do?

I would like to have seahorses in this tank VERY new to that so I do have "pole" type areas for them to grab onto. What would be a good tank mate to a seahorse?

Wife wants a seahorse tank, so I've been doing a lot of research on them, 80 is 8-10 degrees too hot for them. And it is recommended that they be kept as a species only tank, to prevent spread of disease that may kill them.

They are also pretty messy creatures, so you'll want as big of a skimmer as possible to help clean it up.

Honestly probably not the best idea to do seahorses in that tank.

 

[showstoppr88]

What test kit or kits do you recommend?

 

[soulpatch]

red sea or salifert

 

[ReefWreak]

Salifert or API. I know soulpatch and many others don't like them, but as I've experienced, and has been tested and confirmed in the ReefCentral chemistry forum, they're cheap and consistent, but the accuracy may not be enough for some people. But it's definitely enough to get you started cheaply.

Salifert is the way to go for everything else IMO.

The only testing supplies you need:
Kits: Ammonia, Nitrate, Alkalinity, Calcium, I have no hesitation recommending Salifert for any of these.
Digital Instruments: none needed (pH probe that is on a controller if you want to see pH, but I wouldn't buy it separately, and Hanna low-range PHOSPHOROUS checker if you are concerned about phosphates and algae)
Refractometer for salinity and calibration fluid to calibrate it correctly

Also, seahorses aren't that hard to keep, even in a small cube, but it depends on the species, and if you do add seahorses, just accept that there are almost no good tankmates for them, as they are very deliberate feeders, and will always lose the fight for food if there is competition.