New Reefer

[chanceafrance]

I have to post to do certain stuff on here right? Anyway I just got my first reef tank. It was pretty impulsive and I'm running on low funds, but I figured I have to start somewhere.

I filled the tank just over a month ago. I used tap water (shame on me), but all water changes are with purified drinking water to avoid any more build-up of crap.

My Fire Shrimp and my Banggai Cardinal pair have been doing well the last week. I know I'm supposed to wait, but I bought a tree coral frag just to see if it would make it. The guy at Petco also gave me a free button polyp frag (I don't think he gets much business). I know petco sucks, but the fish at the LFS were out of my price range. Any advice on keeping my hastily bought coral alive, or just any advice in general? I don't plan on adding anything for a long time. I also want to try to breed the Banggai's, I have BBS on deck if the male ever has babies in his mouth. They came as a pair and are just starting to really explore the tank. Any guidance is appreciated, thanks guys!

55 gallon
Seaclone 100 protein skimmer (i'm poor)
TopFin 40 gal filter (I'm very poor)
2 36 watt full spectrum T5's on 12 hour cycle (for now)
Also some cheap blue LED's that are on at night
10 lbs of live rock (for now, this is my biggest flaw from what I've read but can't be helped)

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite. .25 ppm (I should have waited longer I know)
Nitrate 10ppm
Temp 77-81 °F
Calcium 400ppm
Alkalinity 300ppm

 

[whosurcaddie]

Purified drinking water may not be good enough. Do you have a TDS meter to test the water. Just because its good enough to drink doesn't mean its good for your reef tank.

Look up dry rock to add to your live rock. Its much cheaper than live rock and you can meet the filtering needs of your tank.

You need a better skimmer plain and simple. Save your money to get a better one.

The first two things I would do is buy the dry rock you need about 30-40LBS and buy a better skimmer. Everything else should be put off until then. I would also look into buying water from a LFS if you dont have a DI section on that filter.

Once you have these things, remove the topfin filter its not needed. The rock is your filter. You didn't mention any power heads what are you using for waterflow? Here are some super cheap powerheads that will at least get the water moving.
http://smile.amazon.com/SunSun-JVP-110-528-GPH-Wavemaker-Pumps/dp/B00CFW82PG/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1445744721&sr=1-4&keywords=powerhead Get the two pack. This is absolutely necessary.
If you don't have waterflow your fish can die from lack of oxygen. You need them to break the surface tension of the water.

Read this. it has everything you need to know so you don't have more trouble down the road.http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

 

[chanceafrance]

The guy at the LFS recommended a Prizm protein skimmer that was $160, and I can still return the Seaclone. Or do you have any other recommendations? I'm looking at the power heads right now.

Thanks

 

[shifty51008]

Look at aquamaxx skimmers for a cheap but good skimmer. For powerheads and cheap look at jebao, decent pumps for the price

 

[whosurcaddie]

Aquamaxx does make a good hang on back. So does reef octopus.

Reef Octopus is affordable for someone on a budget. http://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Octopus_Classic_HOB_Protein_Skimmer_Hang_On_Venturi_Protein_Skimmers-Reef_Octopus-CV20197-FIPSHOVS-vi.html

Aquamaxx is a quality HOB so its a little more expensive.
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_HOB_1_Hang_On_Back_Protein_Skimmer_Hang_On_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-AquaMaxx-UJ1151-FIPSHONW-vi.html

Both will perform nicely.

As for powerheads I agree with shifty again. I would start with one RW-8 from jebao.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XRDWKNC?keywords=rw-8&qid=1445788544&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1