New tank update...

J

julie180

New member
I finally got my 180 filled with water. I am adjusting sg and temp at this moment.

Several questions.

I filled the tank with dry sand and base rock. Both have been sitting for several years.
I have 40# of live sand, should I put it all in the tank, sump, split, or get more. The dry sand is enough to fill the tank for looks.

I only have a 4' power compact light at this time. How much T5 will I need. Best brand, supplier, price?? I already have both SPS and LPS coral.

Whats the best way to get the fish & coral out of the old tank and into the new? Should I just move all at once or a little at a time. I plan on taking about 30-40 gallons out of the old tank and into the new along with about 100# of live rock.

Why the ^$*@$& can't I seem to keep inverts alive. I lost another sally light foot in the last couple of days. I am begining to think it has something to do with dosing Iodine. I was dosing weekly and quit about a month ago because of so many shrimp and sallies. I put in a dose a couple of days ago and now sally is dead :(

Thanks,
Julie
 
If your doing regular water changes, iodine shouldn't be a problem. Ive been reefing for 7 yrs and never used any thing but the B-ionic and have had great luck. Most trace elements can be replenished by water changes unless its a full blown SPS tank.
 
>I filled the tank with dry sand and base rock. Both have been sitting for several years.
I have 40# of live sand, should I put it all in the tank, sump, split, or get more. The dry sand is enough to fill the tank for looks.<

I would sprinkle it around. It will take time fo the critters to populate deep into the new sand no matter what you do.

>I only have a 4' power compact light at this time. How much T5 will I need. Best brand, supplier, price?? I already have both SPS and LPS coral.<

Lots. What are the dimensions on that tank? How deep and long?

>Whats the best way to get the fish & coral out of the old tank and into the new? Should I just move all at once or a little at a time. I plan on taking about 30-40 gallons out of the old tank and into the new along with about 100# of live rock. <

I am sure there ae many ways to accomplish this I would put in a bit at a time after it cycles out. Take your time if you can. I don't believe there is much of an advantage to moving the water. There are not a lot of good critters in the water and you may just bring over depleted water. How many fish and corals are you talking about?

>Why the ^$*@$& can't I seem to keep inverts alive. I lost another sally light foot in the last couple of days. I am begining to think it has something to do with dosing Iodine. I was dosing weekly and quit about a month ago because of so many shrimp and sallies. I put in a dose a couple of days ago and now sally is dead <

Agree with BigH55. I have never been sold on anything but dosing 2 part and water changes.

Faz
 
I think lighting all comes down to the bulbs we use. You can have the best fixture in the world but if your not using good bulbs them whats the point. I like MH and actinic combo lights. I personally use 14k bulbs. i don't like PC because they grow algae to good. Save it for a sump. If you do use decide to use it, change the bulbs every 6-8 months. If you do the math MH or t-5 will be cheaper in the long run.
 
Faz,

I have 5 fish, an anthelia, kenya tree, candy cane, frog spawn and several shrooms and polyps.

The tank is 6'x2'x2'.

"Agree with BigH55. I have never been sold on anything but dosing 2 part and water changes. "

What is 2 part?

Chadscamaro, there are 6' t5 bulbs and fixtures available just not the VHO.
 
If you want to run t5's you want t5ho bulbs and I have never seen a t5ho 6ft bulb yet ?? They do make a 6ft vho bulb though. T5 bulbs are so skinny that anything over 5ft would be very fragile and easily broken, so a 6ft fixture would have multiple 3ft bulbs or 5ft bulbs.
 
T5 ho? Does that mean a certain wattage? I have seen ho used on many different wattage fixtures. Can I get away with a 5' fixture if I hang it over the tank?

Also, just curious, why are power compacts not good? For the size etc, they are quite high wattage.

Update, everyone is in the new tank, old one is broken down. All seem well, eating like pigs. The tomato clown must be happy, he doesn't attack me any more :)

The rock work is a mess. I need to get some putty and bigger pieces and work it out. I know I should have done it first. I'm good at the cart pushing the horse. I'll get some pics soon.
 
HO means high output and when you get t5's you want the ho's as regular output wont cut it for most reef tanks. Pc;s are very basic intro lighting but they dont have the intensity , par or color of better lighting so i would stay away from those and just buy 1 good fixture t5ho or halide and be done with it. You could do a 5ft fixture but you will have some shadowing dark areas on either side but no real bad.
 
the best t5 fixture is ati powermodule
2nd best aquactinics constellation
3rd and cheaper nova extreme pro
 
iodine can easily be overdosed and deadly for your tanks inverts, unless you have a tank full of sps regular water changes will replenish trace elements.
 
I think Id do a massive water change and stop dosing I bet theyll start thriving. Sometimes less is more. IMO
 
go to photobucket.com, register account and upload pics than copy url address to here under image tab when you post reply
 
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