New Member - New Project

[Stingray]

Nice setup so far, and by the way your tank works out to about 62 gallons

Keep us posted

Stingray...

[aquaboy]

more, rock, a heater, and a powerhead, and you should be set for your first fish after the long/boring cycle.......

[wildreef]

Originally Posted by nemo31

Noted, more live rock will be in the tank tonight !
Thanks for the reply.

It sounds as if your ' having just as much fun putting it all togehter' as you would be seeing it all working well. lol

I cant blame you' it is fun figuring it all out and looking at all those neat gadgits working together . GOOD LUCK !

[nemo31]

Hi Guys,

What testing kits do I need ?
I have PH, Nitrate and ammonia.
The PH is a bit high so am slowly adding PH down to get the correct level, but as it is a new fresh tank I suppose until the filters are working properly this is to be expected.

I now have a lot more live rock and added a damsel fish. 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 hermit crabs and 10 turbo snails.
Salt levels spot on; other levels are up and down but nothing dangerous.
The damsel fish is very happy and loves swimming around.
Also today my wife brought me a large coral (frog spawn) which is very nice.
As the tank was a week old I did do around a 15% water change the other day with pre mixed – pre checked water to ensure it was good for the tank.
What is best to collect the crap of the bottom of the tank once fish are added, what is a must to have in my tank. Just so I can put an order into a fish shop, which will take a few weeks to get here.
Another item I have seen which looks cool is a sea snake, black and white striped ? Anyone know anything about them ???

[lunatik_69]

Originally Posted by nemo31

Hi Guys,

What testing kits do I need ?
I have PH, Nitrate and ammonia.
The PH is a bit high so am slowly adding PH down to get the correct level, but as it is a new fresh tank I suppose until the filters are working properly this is to be expected.

I now have a lot more live rock and added a damsel fish. 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 hermit crabs and 10 turbo snails.
Salt levels spot on; other levels are up and down but nothing dangerous.
The damsel fish is very happy and loves swimming around.
Also today my wife brought me a large coral (frog spawn) which is very nice.
As the tank was a week old I did do around a 15% water change the other day with pre mixed – pre checked water to ensure it was good for the tank.
What is best to collect the crap of the bottom of the tank once fish are added, what is a must to have in my tank. Just so I can put an order into a fish shop, which will take a few weeks to get here.
Another item I have seen which looks cool is a sea snake, black and white striped ? Anyone know anything about them ???

Just food for thought, next time you need to lower your ph, instead of wasting your money on ph down, just use vinegar. It has the same effect and cheaper. Luna

[omard]

Again, get yourself a good RO/DI unit or stick with bottled water --- that UAE stuff is nasty.

[nemo31]

Just food for thought, next time you need to lower your ph, instead of wasting your money on ph down, just use vinegar. It has the same effect and cheaper. Luna

OMG - thanks i did not know that !!!

[aquaboy]

and baking soda raises PH, and Epsom salts raise MG. You should get an Alkalanity test, Magnesium test, and a calcium test

[nemo31]

Can anyone tell me what levels i am supposed to have in my tank ?
I done a water change last night and want to ensure everything is OK. I think i know the levels for PH, Nitrate and ammonia. I am getting the other testing kits tonight Alkalanity test, Magnesium test, and a calcium test.
All the salt levels are fine, just everything else i'm getting into a muddle over !

[aquaboy]

calcium:420
Mg:1500
PH: 8.0-8.4 <can fluctuate a little like to ~7.9
Amm:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate: <20
NSW Alk is 3-3.2 But keeping it a tad higher dont hurt