Stevebutters
New member
Hi all! So forgive me, but I am a complete newbie to marine aquariums, but have always loved them! I recently decided to jump in to the hobby with a new IM Nuvo 30 tank. I bought the tank just over 3 weeks ago along with 25 lbs of live sand, and 35 lbs of live rock (cured). I then took my LFS advice and filled it with tap water and Instant ocean salt mix :uhoh2:... I then installed all live sand and rock, then went and got some accessories. I work at a local Petsmart taking care of all the freshwater fish, so I get a nice discount there. I got a dual strip t5 light with one actinic bulb and one 10,000k bulb. I also got a IM Skimmate, an Eheim 150W heater, and two hydor 425 GPH circulation pumps. I converted one of the original filter media baskets to a small refugium with chaeto and live rock, and replaced the other basket with the skimmer. About 4 days after set up, I noticed my live rock turning brown, sure enough it was a massive diatom bloom cause by my tap water. I then went to a different LFS for advice. They explained diatoms to me, sent me in the direction of a good water store, and I bought a bunch of RO/DI water. I then went and did a succession of 50% water changes with the good water for 3 days. The diatoms were still there, but not advancing anymore. I started to only run the lights over the small refug and continued the cycling wait. 2 weeks passed (as well as two more 25% water changes) from there (this weekend) and I went to the good LFS and bought two nicely sized zebra turbo snails on their advice. They have been in my tank for 2 days now and have almost eaten all of the diatoms! . My water tests this morning were:
Ammonia- O
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 0
PO4- 0
Mag- 1300
Calcium- 480
Salinity- 1.025
PH- 8.2
Alk- 12 dKH
Temp- 77 F
Snails seem to be fat and happy, very active at night. I did break my skimmer bracket, so until I get a new one the original media basket is sitting in that side. But this weekend I think I will go and buy my first coral! My wife wants Xenia very badly, and from what I've read, its a good starter coral. I also have a 10gal QT set up with a Fluval U2 filter with biomax (rated for 30 gal) that has been running for 3 weeks as well, so I may also try to find a red firefish to put in there to start my journey.
Again, I am a newbie so go easy on me, but I welcome all criticism and advice! I'll try to get some pics up when the wife gets home, she is the one with the camera and computer skills Thanks for reading!
Ammonia- O
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 0
PO4- 0
Mag- 1300
Calcium- 480
Salinity- 1.025
PH- 8.2
Alk- 12 dKH
Temp- 77 F
Snails seem to be fat and happy, very active at night. I did break my skimmer bracket, so until I get a new one the original media basket is sitting in that side. But this weekend I think I will go and buy my first coral! My wife wants Xenia very badly, and from what I've read, its a good starter coral. I also have a 10gal QT set up with a Fluval U2 filter with biomax (rated for 30 gal) that has been running for 3 weeks as well, so I may also try to find a red firefish to put in there to start my journey.
Again, I am a newbie so go easy on me, but I welcome all criticism and advice! I'll try to get some pics up when the wife gets home, she is the one with the camera and computer skills Thanks for reading!