Hello!

Hi everyone!

My name is Danielle. I've had freshwater tanks most of my life, but am a complete newbie in the world of saltwater tanks. I'm a marine science student, and after years of wanting, decided it was long past time to try my hand at a salt water tank.
I've spent quite a bit of time reading various forums trying not to make a ton of mistakes (although I'm sure I already have...) and kept ending up here. So I decided to join so I can pick all of your brains and get this thing heading in the right direction.

What I have so far;
90 gallon bowfront
100 lb of live sand
85 lb of live rock
Coralife Aqualite T5 HO
SeaClone 100 Skimmer (apparently my first mistake)
Fluval 404 canister filter
Koralia powerhead

The tank has been running for 3 weeks now, and we just added;

2 blue legged hermits
2 red legged hermits
2 black nerite snails
1 urchin
1 crab, I was told it was a sally lightfoot but I think it's actually a nimble spray crab?
1 peppermint shrimp
and 1 coral banded shrimp (possibly my second mistake?)


I really look forward to the wealth of advice available from everyone on here!

 

Welcome! I answered some of your questions in red above ^

 

Hello and welcome

Pics please ;-)

 

Welcome to 3reef!

 

you should have about 1.5lbs of LR so I would add some more
Is it okay to add more now that I've added some livestock? I'll just have to let it cure in another container?

4 bulb? 6 bulb?
It's only a 2 bulb actually. Should I consider adding another fixture?

It will work but if you want a different skimmer I would get an eshopps skimmer, they are cheap and work well
Thanks! I will look into those. I feel like I'm constantly fussing with the seaclone.

Either run this with just carbon and mechanical filtration (sponge) or get rid of it. It isn't needed and just more maintenance IMO
It currently has the sponges and carbon with two trays of media. Omit the media entirely?

What is the gph rating?
750 gpm. I've been wondering if I should add another?

Did you make sure it was cycled?
I was checking the levels almost daily and did weekly water changes. Everything looked good as far as I could determine. (I'm always worried that I'm not picking the correct color on the chart.)


its the same species, just a different name, when this crab is full grown it may prey on small fish and inverts
Yes, yes it was. remove it or you wont have a peppermint shrimp soon.
I'm a bit upset with the LFS that sold me all these guys. I told them what I had, what I want to have, and what I was currently looking for. They picked all these creatures out for me and told me they would all be compatible. I guess that's what I get for trusting them and not going in having done research ahead of time. I'm pretty sure this is the last time I'm going there. I'll make the longer drive to the other store.


Thanks again! The advice is much appreciated.

 

Most any LFS will be like that, they are trying to make money and will usually sell you anything to get it. No I would add base rock, any live rock will cause an ammonia spike. I bought my base rock here The quality is great and customer service is phenomenal. you can ask for certain sizes or shapes of rock you want and he will pick it out for you. When your tank was cycling did you also test for nitrite and nitrate? also for lighting if you plan on coral I would definetly get at least a 4 bulb T5HO fixture, TEK has a very nice one that isnt to expensive here but if you wanted a cheaper fixture that isnt as nice but will work I would get this one . Also you should add 3-4 more of those powerheads.

 

Welcome to 3reef

Brennan has done a great job in answering your questions. If you are doing a mixed reef then 4 bulbs of lighting is fine. If you are going SPS dominant then go with 6 bulbs. Buy ATI, KZ, UVL and Geisemann bulbs.

The canister is good for running carbon and granulated ferric oxide (GFO) which is used for phosphate reduction.

 

Welcome to 3 reef
the Seaclone is better than nothing IMHO (used one some years ago)

if your looking to upgrade skimmer in the following months
I can suggest Reef Octopus HOB skimmers BH1000 would do with average bioload
or a BH2000 if you bioload is very high


Steve

 

Thanks again!

I did test for nitrite and nitrate. Nitrite was >0.5 and nitrate >20.
I do plan on getting some corals, eventually. I think it's going to be a while before I really get more than a few beginner corals though. (with school I just don't think I can devote the time to properly care for more sensitive species) I will look into a light upgrade before adding any.
I will get more powerheads. Any advice about placement?

 

hello and HI

place them where you can get good even flow throught the tank if you have fish they will show intrest in the flow and let you know from there. I would wait untile your paramters are a bit more even though IMO.