You use a mixture of white and blue light. The tank will not look good with only white. Definitely wait on getting anything new, think months from now. Those leather do not look very health, you have a ton to learn and need to get this tank in good shape before you even think of setting up a quarantine tank to handle new arrival. You have a fish, you have corals. Until you can get those corals growing again I would hold off. Most tanks are built over years not days or months unless you are very experienced. Most people crash their first tank by rushing it. Rushing things will only lead to more problems.
Reef Rescue
- Thread starter Peperoni21
- Start date
WatDatThing
New member
You need to do a water test. Make sure the parameters are inline.
Peperoni21
New member
What mixture of light should I be using? Would I have to research the specific coral I have and figure out what light it needs? I'll be running to the store later today to get a saltwater testing kit.
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gjustinj
In Memoriam
I would recommend wearing gloves when reaching your hands into that tank, not only will it protect the fish from soap, but also you from possible poison from the coral or fish (do your research) - I just found out this myself
Stolireef
Active member
With regard to the lighting, most people grow their corals under primarily blue light with some other colors for supplementation of appearance. Most people run their white light at roughly 50% of the intensity of the blue light.
As a very basic explanation (and not completely accurate but useful for your purposes)
Corals harbor photosynthetic zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae convert light and nutrients into sugars that feed the corals. It's basically a symbiotic relationship. The light over your tank needs to get close to the wavelengths of sunlight as filtered through many feet of saltwater. Since red wavelengths get absorbed first, the zooxanthellae have adapted to make the best use of that blue wavelengths of light.
However, if you just run all blue, the colors of the corals will be washed out so you add some white.
Be careful with your intensity. Start no higher than 50% (I'd probably start closer to 30%) and keep an eye on your corals. If they look happy and healthy, leave the intensity where it is.
As a very basic explanation (and not completely accurate but useful for your purposes)
Corals harbor photosynthetic zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae convert light and nutrients into sugars that feed the corals. It's basically a symbiotic relationship. The light over your tank needs to get close to the wavelengths of sunlight as filtered through many feet of saltwater. Since red wavelengths get absorbed first, the zooxanthellae have adapted to make the best use of that blue wavelengths of light.
However, if you just run all blue, the colors of the corals will be washed out so you add some white.
Be careful with your intensity. Start no higher than 50% (I'd probably start closer to 30%) and keep an eye on your corals. If they look happy and healthy, leave the intensity where it is.
Backing up a bit, as Dale M said, read and understand the basics of maintaining a reef tank. If it sounds like too much work (or too much money) or is too intimidating, reconsider your objectives. A fish only or FOWLR tank is also nice and not as much effort (although still more than freshwater). If it sounds intriguing and you have the desire to learn and succeed, get ready to drink from the firehose of information and welcome aboard.
The #1 piece of advice, don't trust your LFS to give you the best information. They are trying to sell products first and foremost. There is plenty of information on Reef Central and other forums to cross check their recommendations, and you should do that before, not after, your purchases
Good luck!
The #1 piece of advice, don't trust your LFS to give you the best information. They are trying to sell products first and foremost. There is plenty of information on Reef Central and other forums to cross check their recommendations, and you should do that before, not after, your purchases
Good luck!
Peperoni21
New member
I think I'm up for the challenges I have coming towards me. I'll be keeping a close eye on the water parameters. I have changed my lighting to about 40% UV, 20% White light. I've got some frozen food for the fish. Should I feed twice a day? And there's nori also with a clip but how much of that should I leave on the clip and how often
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Peperoni21
New member
Update: I just ordered an "API Reef Master Test Kit" and a salinity refractometer! It should be here within a couple of days. I forgot to mention but I'm sure you guys assumed, the tank is very well established and was previously well taken care of. The temperature is perfect(measured by electric thermometer) at 25.4 celsius. I've spotted some shrimp, snails, and a hermit crab... maybe more.
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Peperoni21
New member
This is how the tank is looking as of April 28, 2017- 11:20 P.M.
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TokiHacker
New member
CALLED IT!!!! :lolspin: :lolspin: :lolspin: :lolspin: :lolspin:
Stolireef
Active member
Yep. You did. Good call dude.
Peperoni21
New member
Can I get someone to look at my recent pictures I uploaded and let me know what they think?
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The yellow tail damsel is not really very aggressive. Your tank is a bit small but I'd keep it and actually add another. With two they usually keep each other busy and leave most other fish alone. I'd definitely get rid of the other damsel though. Tank looks pretty healthy. I'd just keep up with waterchanges and you probably won't have much to worry about.
Peperoni21
New member
Leather Corals
Leather Corals
I believe I've got some leather corals in there. I'm not sure which kind of coral is the long tentacle looking coral. As I did some research I found out the let hers can be toxic. Should I be worried about myself? And how should I space out the corals so they are happy with each other.
Leather Corals
I believe I've got some leather corals in there. I'm not sure which kind of coral is the long tentacle looking coral. As I did some research I found out the let hers can be toxic. Should I be worried about myself? And how should I space out the corals so they are happy with each other.
Peperoni21
New member
And I think you are seeing that right it's just the return pipe?... For now I think I'm keeping the fish because they seem happy. Once I can get a quarantine tank set up I'll think about getting new fish.
I dunno if you should worried about yourself..:lolspin:
Leather corals can release toxins just keep some GAC on hand..
Stolireef
Active member
Nothing to worry about. All corals engage is some chemical warfare with each other. Some sting, some release toxins etc. If you don't eat them, boil them and breathe the fumes, or rub them on your face/body, you'll be fine. That said, gloves are highly recommended both to protect you and your tank.
If you do like rubbing corals all over your body, I suggest that you seek a different hobby. (sorry, I really tried but I couldn't resist).
If you do like rubbing corals all over your body, I suggest that you seek a different hobby.
(sorry, I really tried but I couldn't resist).Peperoni21
New member
Hahahaha that's good to know! Thanks guys. I'll get some gloves but it's good to know I shouldn't be worried
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Peperoni21
New member
Hey guys! I am currently testing the water... So far nitrates appear to be super high at 160ppm. Calcium is at about 420ppm. And the KH is at 124.3ppm. Phosphates are at .25 ppm. What should my parameters be and what do I need to do in order to achieve that? Everything in the tank is looking good. Only one of my leathers has been closed but it appears to be opening up. There also seems to be some sort of hair algae growing on the glass and the rocks. I have my UV lights on for most of the day with the white lights.
