Hello from Maine

[Bogie]

Have your well water tested for other minerals, copper, silicates, phosphate, and other toxins before your next water change if possible. Copper in well water is common, and it is bad for corals and the invertebrates in your tank. Research through RODI (reverse osmosis distilled water) threads here and consider buying a unit. I have very "clean" city water, so now all I have to worry about is removing the little bit of chlorine. Regular distilled water is still cheap at $1/gal, but in the long run (saving trips to the store) the RODI filter may be more economical overall. Don't add any more fish for now, and don't overfeed...try to keep nitrates below 10 ppm.

[Bogie]

Not sure what kind of bulb is in the perfecta eclipse light, but if it's just a low watt fluorescent, then you should invest in a T-5, PC, or halide light set if you want those corals to survive and thrive. They need strong light to survive.

[omard]

Originally Posted by Reefkeeper

Hi there,
I've been taking water in to be tested at the LFS they tell me that everything looked good . Nitrate 20,Nitrite 0 ,PH between 8.0-8.4 and no sign of Ammonia,that my tank is doing what it should, telling me it's ok to keep adding fish and corals to my tank . I've got alot to learn ,thanks for the advise.

Before you go much further in this art, you need to start doing your water testing yourself.

Will learn much from and can keep up with fast changing conditions that will occur in any new tank.

Simple as getting a good test kit and following directions. Then knowing what to look for and understanding results.

We can help you out here.

Will quickly become a fun task that you will look forward to doing.

Water testing needs to be done much more frequently, maybe even every few days, for a new tank.

Once everything stabilizes, may take longer then a year, testing can be left to only when you suspect something off kilter.

Big help for many to keep a log of water conditions so any adverse trends will immediately show up.

One more way to have fun with and interact with your tank and critters...besides being a great learning experience...

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by Reefkeeper

sun coarl seems to be doing good .

You'll have to target feed that sun coral mysis shrimp almost daily in order for it to live. If you're not willing to do that, you might want to return it. Your lfs is giving you alot of bad advice and most likely is doing so just so he/she can make a sale. I'd reconsider shopping there if I was you.

Also, if your scooter blenny is not eating frozen mysis shrimp, it will quickly wipe out your copepod population as that's its main source of food. Now, if you have a refugium on your system, it may be ok but if you don't, that fish may be doomed

[Reefkeeper]

I have been feeding B- Shrimp/Marine Snow with a sm. syg. each one at a time it loves it and can see it is spreading slowly !! what fun it is to be able to see them close up afterthat.

For the Scooter ,He will swim up and eat the B-Shrimp or pick up what ever hits the bottom and is doing good for now.

Everyone said the same thing about the bad advise from the lfs it's nice to know that there is people that cares enough to give you advice just to be able to help .

First time on any kind of forum I feel like a fish out of water not really knowing that much about com. to begain with ,but having a reef tank makes me want to learn from people that love this as much as I do ,that can give me the help I need so badly to make this work. thanks again for the advise!!

[wastemanagement]

Welcome to the 3reef

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by Reefkeeper

I have been feeding B- Shrimp/Marine Snow with a sm. syg. each one at a time it loves it and can see it is spreading slowly !! what fun it is to be able to see them close up afterthat.

For the Scooter ,He will swim up and eat the B-Shrimp or pick up what ever hits the bottom and is doing good for now.

Everyone said the same thing about the bad advise from the lfs it's nice to know that there is people that cares enough to give you advice just to be able to help .

First time on any kind of forum I feel like a fish out of water not really knowing that much about com. to begain with ,but having a reef tank makes me want to learn from people that love this as much as I do ,that can give me the help I need so badly to make this work. thanks again for the advise!!

Glad to hear that both the coral and scooter are eating well. Not many people who are new to the hobby realize that these particular animals are more finicky than most to feed. Glad to have you on board and let us know if you have any more questions!

[Reefkeeper]

The RO/DI sounds like the way to go ,even with well water it's bound to change From time to time . I will get it tested to see what I'm dealing with.

I won't be adding anything until I get what I need to do this right.Being a newbie cost money, if you just want to see new things in the tank when you don't have what it takes to keep it alive.

I have been testing my water from the get go ,but only Salinity with a Instant Ocean Hydo. and I am using the Mardel 5 in 1 Test Strips which the lfs said that was all I needed ,they would test the rest for me.

I have been keeping a log from day one , testing more than I needed two, once in the morning and at night ,been writing everything down ,what I do to the tank, how the fish look and corals are doing ,looking for things like Ick which I was told to treat with Kick-Ick.

I saw white spots on the fins [ I think that could be why I lost my Neon Dotty Back,Lawnmower Blenny and Dragon Goby ] The NDB and the LB were rubbing on rocks before I added the DG which died in 8 days after I put him in the tank ,again at least the 5 in 1 test said everything looked good ,salinity .024 . lfs had me treat with Rally just after that all happend. I'm hearing maybe that was a bad idea ,and the Kick-Ick won't kill the Ick ?

What would you say I should up grade first ?A better test kit right? any brand in mind? The filter? P. Skimmer? RO/DI?[as long as I used distilled water I'd be ok right?] UV ? Lights, I like the coarls alot ,but I'm a poor man I'm finding out ,so I can only do one thing at a time I've spent alot already for things I need to improve that the lfs said were all I needed . You were all right!!! I made the mistake and rushed in without asking more people Q. who really know what ther talking about and want to help ,not someone that wants you to keep spending money at ther store. Any advise would be much help, thanks!

[cuttingras]

yes ro/di and test kits get good ones not cheap ones. read EVERYTHING you can get your eyes on! here's a start & look thru this site to find other stuff. 3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more! - 3reef Articles - Three Steps to a Reef Aquarium

[aquaboy]

The strips tend to give unreliable readings i would invest in a test kit for each so you can test on your own, know your results whenever you need them, and be able to rectify any problems quickly.