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Obandit26 · 03-09-2008, 11:10 PM

Ive got a 55 gal tank the I just converted to SW. I have an aqua clear filter, a back pac protein skimmer, a 175watt metal halide, with 2 18in bulbs in fixtues that came with the tank kit.

Ive had the tank running now a little over two weeks, the water levels look good, no amonia, no nitrite, nitrates are low, and the ph is between 8.2 8.4
Because the water levels were good and staying good I deided to get some cleaners to put in there. 3 turbo snails, 3 emrald crabs, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 pyrimid snail, and 5 hermit crabs.

I plan on eventually getting some corals, one anenome maybe two if I can not sure. and then fish. trying to have a friendly tank reef and fish.

I have a few questions.

Water tests, what should I be testing for? I have amonia, PH, nitrate, nitrite, do I need the calcium, hard water, phosphate tests?

My metal halide I bought used, the light has a blue tint to it, should it be white? and the T8 bulbs be blue, what is recommended for lighting?

The pet store sold me PURPLEUP they said it helps with coraline algea, do I need this now or is it too early to add stuff to the water?

last question for now, It looks like one of my emrald crabs died, a friend of mine said he thought the same thing of his emrald crab, but a couple days later is popped back up and he realized the crab had molted. So I dont know if the crab molted, or if it died by chance. So im not sure if I should be worried about the tank, or if it just happens.

I was pretty sure that because the levels for the water were good that I could ad some cleaners, but hopefully I havent jumped the gun, thanks

03-09-2008, 11:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Obandit26 Plankton Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Age: 26 Posts: 8 Karma: 26	1st SW tank need some advice Ive got a 55 gal tank the I just converted to SW. I have an aqua clear filter, a back pac protein skimmer, a 175watt metal halide, with 2 18in bulbs in fixtues that came with the tank kit. Ive had the tank running now a little over two weeks, the water levels look good, no amonia, no nitrite, nitrates are low, and the ph is between 8.2 8.4 Because the water levels were good and staying good I deided to get some cleaners to put in there. 3 turbo snails, 3 emrald crabs, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 pyrimid snail, and 5 hermit crabs. I plan on eventually getting some corals, one anenome maybe two if I can not sure. and then fish. trying to have a friendly tank reef and fish. I have a few questions. Water tests, what should I be testing for? I have amonia, PH, nitrate, nitrite, do I need the calcium, hard water, phosphate tests? My metal halide I bought used, the light has a blue tint to it, should it be white? and the T8 bulbs be blue, what is recommended for lighting? The pet store sold me PURPLEUP they said it helps with coraline algea, do I need this now or is it too early to add stuff to the water? last question for now, It looks like one of my emrald crabs died, a friend of mine said he thought the same thing of his emrald crab, but a couple days later is popped back up and he realized the crab had molted. So I dont know if the crab molted, or if it died by chance. So im not sure if I should be worried about the tank, or if it just happens. I was pretty sure that because the levels for the water were good that I could ad some cleaners, but hopefully I havent jumped the gun, thanks