-
Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
30 Gallon Adventure: R
- Thread starter Ryan88
- Start date
Calcium test was VERY high tonight, I added almost 40 drops and your supposed to multiple that by 15 and the water didnt even turn the color it was supposed to through the 30 drops. Nitrates don't look to bad, the test I have says its about 20ppm. Also my Alk was a little low, 2.25 the test result was. I was thinking when the tests are secure that I might want to do an anemone for the clowns. Any type in particular that I should look at? And how should I get that calcium down because obviously its very high, I think maybe just a big water change with the reef salt should do the trick. As always, post it up!
What have you been adding to the water to get your calcium so high? Do you have corals in the tank at this point? IMHO on a 30G tank a calcium reactor might be overkill especially if you don't have a tank full of SPS.
Why don't you give us a complete recap on your tank? And include a couple pictures.
Why don't you give us a complete recap on your tank? And include a couple pictures.
20PPM is VERY HIGH for nitrates on a coral tank. If your Ca is high you don't want to add a Ca reactor. That will only make the matter worse. And that's probably what's driving down your alk. You need to do for those in a balanced way so that you keep the numbers in synch.
You're a long way off from an anemone. You need pristine water conditions for 6+months to ensure that you won't kill it. If a 'nem dies in your 30g tank it is going to take everything in the tank with it.
You're a long way off from an anemone. You need pristine water conditions for 6+months to ensure that you won't kill it. If a 'nem dies in your 30g tank it is going to take everything in the tank with it.
Well I pretty much plan on mixing a reef salt and 10 gallons of freshwater in a garbage can. Put a power head in for flow and a heater in and let it sit for 24 hrs. Then take 10 gallons out of the display tank and insert the premixed new reef salt water in with all the stuff I'll need for corals.
[size=10pt]UPDATE!!
[/size]
I got my reef salt/new heater in the mail today
I plan on changing 10 gallons out of the tank and replacing it with the reef salt water and then I can really start moving on corals. Im going to return the Coralife skimmer, I am running my old Rio Nano Skimmer and it works like a charm so I might just stay with it. Tank has been running fine lately as well. My camera is broke so I haven't been able to take many pics. But I couldn't stand that coralife skimmer, I had a major spill from it last night and that was the last straw. My poor clowns wouldnt even swim to one side of the tank because of all the micro bubbles coming out. I understand that alot of skimmers have this, but I know that I can make a safer environment for my livestock. Even thought the bubbles wouldn't kill them it was really crappy looking in the tank. I'll reevaluate the skimmer situation after the holidays, for now I think this Nano Skimmer can handle the job. I'll be adding some fish as well, I'll have an even 6 in the tank and that will be all, then it's on to corals after the testing is secure. Thats just an update, post comments if you want.
[/size]
I got my reef salt/new heater in the mail today
I plan on changing 10 gallons out of the tank and replacing it with the reef salt water and then I can really start moving on corals. Im going to return the Coralife skimmer, I am running my old Rio Nano Skimmer and it works like a charm so I might just stay with it. Tank has been running fine lately as well. My camera is broke so I haven't been able to take many pics. But I couldn't stand that coralife skimmer, I had a major spill from it last night and that was the last straw. My poor clowns wouldnt even swim to one side of the tank because of all the micro bubbles coming out. I understand that alot of skimmers have this, but I know that I can make a safer environment for my livestock. Even thought the bubbles wouldn't kill them it was really crappy looking in the tank. I'll reevaluate the skimmer situation after the holidays, for now I think this Nano Skimmer can handle the job. I'll be adding some fish as well, I'll have an even 6 in the tank and that will be all, then it's on to corals after the testing is secure. Thats just an update, post comments if you want.Ryan just want to point out that the total number of fish in a SW tank is not the equivalent of in a fresh.
What 6 fish do you have?
For comparison I have 6 fish in what is probably 140 gallons of total water with a good skimmer, full fuge, 190lb of live rock, and 160 lbs of live sand. I have two pigs (tangs), and four nano size fish. I might be on the conservative side but in my nano I ran with 3 fish.
What 6 fish do you have?
For comparison I have 6 fish in what is probably 140 gallons of total water with a good skimmer, full fuge, 190lb of live rock, and 160 lbs of live sand. I have two pigs (tangs), and four nano size fish. I might be on the conservative side but in my nano I ran with 3 fish.
I know and realize that the comparison from FW to SW is totally different. I got all smaller fish and I think they will be fine. I didn't just go and order fish for the hell of it. I looked into it and found that I could house these fish, thats why I wanted that octopus skimmer from REFLECTIONS. I messaged him about it so I hope to hear back soon. The fish I ordered are no bigger then 3" grown. And all are reef safe. Should be here tomorrow so I'll try my best to try n get pics up. I know that I'm still a rookie and alot of experienced reefers will look at my decisions and think I'm stupid, but every decision I make is calculated and I'm not afraid to take a chance or make a mistake. Because I know that I don't have a MAJOR system so thats why I can take a few more chances. I do alot of reading and researching on the internet and look at other boards to get info. So tomorrow I will post up pics and you all can see the new tank mates.
I know and I value and appreciate everyones help. I'm sorry if I might not respond but I do read everyone's advice and take it into account and then make the best decision possible for the tank. Do you think JR that getting that octopus skimmer would be a good idea? It is def. thought highly of and it doesnt look to be such a pain in the ass as this one was (in my opinion anyway) Anyway like I said I'll get pics up here tomorrow night for all to see. I'm so excited for tomorrow!!!
I think that it is a pretty good skimmer for the price yes. I have never had one but I have never heard bad things about it. (Which you usually do with less expensive skimmers)
I would say the rule of thumb with skimmers is the less expensive they are the more negative things you hear about them...so the corollary is if they are less expensive and you hear little negative they probably actually work. You will hear some positive about every skimmer...even the nano fission which is garbage...because someone gets it to work. Maybe you don't hear negative things about Bubble King skimmers because it would be too embarrassing after putting down a grand or two on a skimmer.
Waiting for the pics.
I would say the rule of thumb with skimmers is the less expensive they are the more negative things you hear about them...so the corollary is if they are less expensive and you hear little negative they probably actually work. You will hear some positive about every skimmer...even the nano fission which is garbage...because someone gets it to work. Maybe you don't hear negative things about Bubble King skimmers because it would be too embarrassing after putting down a grand or two on a skimmer.
Waiting for the pics.
MERRRYYYY CHRISTMASSS!!!
I got my fish yesterday and everyone is doing really well.
What I got: 1 Sapphire Damselfish
1 Rusty Angelfish
2 Six-Line Wrassee's
Total of 6 fish now and that will be it. Everyone eats the Mysis shrimp that I fed the clowns. I cut 1 cube a day in two pieces and put in in the tank. With the help of the two powerheads, everyone gets a good amount of food. Trust me it was REALLY hard to get pics of these guys in action. But check out these few
Sorry the camera quality aint the best, but you get the idea. After Chirstmas I will be making my 10 Gallon SeaChem Reef Salt mix and then replacing 10 gallons of my display tank water with the newly mixed reef salt. Hopefully then in the coming weeks after that, I shud be ready for my first soft corals. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures and has a great holiday! Merry Christmas!
I got my fish yesterday and everyone is doing really well.
What I got: 1 Sapphire Damselfish
1 Rusty Angelfish
2 Six-Line Wrassee's
Total of 6 fish now and that will be it. Everyone eats the Mysis shrimp that I fed the clowns. I cut 1 cube a day in two pieces and put in in the tank. With the help of the two powerheads, everyone gets a good amount of food. Trust me it was REALLY hard to get pics of these guys in action. But check out these few
Sorry the camera quality aint the best, but you get the idea. After Chirstmas I will be making my 10 Gallon SeaChem Reef Salt mix and then replacing 10 gallons of my display tank water with the newly mixed reef salt. Hopefully then in the coming weeks after that, I shud be ready for my first soft corals. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures and has a great holiday! Merry Christmas!
2 six line wrasses in a 30 gallon tank? I sure hope that works out for you.
yeah, i've heard of people having issues with 2 sixlines in 90 gallon systems
You got 2 Sixlines? Yowser! Were they accustomed to each other when you got them, like were they in the same tank before? If they weren't, more likely than not one of them will end up dead.Got them from Dr. Foster and Smith online. They were shipped in the same bag, one just chases the other one occasionally. Thanks for the positive feedback guys, jese! Merry Christmas to all of you as well. I was really excited to show everyone my new guys, I was hoping for once I did something right.
I did my big water change this morning and I will start testing tomorrow after work and post my hopefully good results on here later tomorrow night. One of my other Wrasses did kill the other one, I got credit on the one fish though so its good, and I learned a lesson. I'm looking to see what else I could house in there before I add corals. I'm looking for a fish that likes to be out all the time and isnt aggressive.
How many fish do you have now? From the looks of things you are about at your stocking level for that size tank. An angle, 6 line, damsel, 2 clowns and another wrasse from the looks of your previous posts.
Personally I would get your water quality in order before thinking about adding any more livestock.
Personally I would get your water quality in order before thinking about adding any more livestock.