Hi. I just set up a new tank and I have a number of questions. I bought the tank from a local pet store and I have since figured out that most of the advice (and money spent) was inaccurate.
Background: 72 gal. oceanic reef ready tank has been running for 4 weeks...$210 sump (OUCH that was a mistake) using a wet/dry filter with bio-balls, heater that is set on 72 degrees and a pump that pumps it back that makes a racket. Also, a Red Sea Prizm Skimmer that I don't think is working and also makes a huge racket. It has 10 pounds of live rock....about 20 pounds of live rock and 20 pounds of dead rock....feather duster, yellow polyp, button polyp....1 hawkfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 fairy wrasse, 1 banana wrasse, 1 emerald crab, 1 pom pom crab (that I've never seen since putting him in the tank)
Temp seems to stay between 80-84 degrees. Is this an acceptable range?
I am currently experiencing a huge red slime algae (cyanobacteria) bloom (it has coated every inch of the tank and I don't quite know what to do) that I am attributing to the either inefficient or non-working skimmer. Ideas?
I have ordered 40# more of live rock from Florida (not the pet store). I'm going to take out the dead rock. It should be here on Wed. or Thurs.
Here are some of the ideas I've had: When the live rock arrives take out 20% of the water, remove the dead rock, take out the live rock that has the cyanobacteria growing on it and gently scrub off the bacteria with a soft toothbrush in the bucket of water taken out of the tank. Replace original live rock and place new live rock in tank.
Considering buying a new skimmer - maybe the AquaMedic Turbo Floater Multi 1000 ??? -and turning the sump area after the trickle down bio balls into a refugium. Adding about two more inches of live sand to the tank because it is only about 1-1 1/2" thick now.
I also would like to add a wave maker and would like to know what works the best. Do you like the Wave2K ?
Well, sorry this is such a long post. I'm a little frustrated >
but mostly I'm very curious and eager to learn much more. I really want to add more soft corals and fish, but I want to get things right first.
Thanks, and this is a great website!!!
Dianna.
