280g FOWLR Tank Diary

[meowzer]

She is big....I think you need a bigger piece of pvc...LOL....they like to hide
glad she is out and about

 

[levinjac]

oh name them dory nemo and marlin

 

[kylev]

Thanks
Ya I know bigger pvc is definitely needed I had planned on getting some today but ended up working late. I have tons of abs fittings around work but am guessing they dont work as well since everyone uses pvc??? She seems to be adjusting well now doesnt run away when I come into the room anymore.

 

[rcreations]

That hippo is a beauty!
Careful of the ammonia. A water change is not gonna eliminate it, just reduce it and after ammonia come nitrites which are even worst. Tangs in particular are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrites. Have a bottle of Amquel+ on hand and test the water often.

 

[kylev]

K, I just picked up some Nite-Out II (it was all the LFS had) Its supposed to rapidly reduce ammonia and nitrites.
Today was a good day for algae growth

I'm sure the crappy r/o i've been using isnt helping, I just got the new ro/di unit in and plan on installing it now. Whats my best bet for removing the algae growth? I'm guessing by hand then do a w/c?

 

[meowzer]

Pick at it....pick at it...and pick some more and yes more water changes.....It is a tedious job, but well worth the end results.....watch what you feed, rinse your food,
I have never heard of the nite-out stuff....

 

[rcreations]

Mexican turbo snails do wonders with algae growth!

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by RCreations http:///forum/thread/374812/280g-fowlr-tank-diary/260#post_3320476
Mexican turbo snails do wonders with algae growth!
yes they do, as do emerald crabs

 

[kylev]

i've barely feed in the dt, I think its gotta be the new lights and bad water coming into play. But I will get some turbo snails. I'm not sure if I'll scrub tonight because I got rid of all my previous mixed water to make room for new and want to do a change after making all the mess with the algae.
the new RO/DI unit i got was the
OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI
and I dont think I could say enough good things about it, so far its awesome

 

[kylev]

Just tested the QT everythings the same except ammonia went to .5 ppm. So i'm going to treat it with the nite-out. Should I do a w/c after I've made up enough water even though the salt wouldnt be properly mixed or wait till tomorrow. I'm kicking myself for not saving 5g of water
Should I also hold off on feeding tonight or just very lightly feed?

 

[meowzer]

Did you throw out the first few gallons of ro/di that you made? I know you are supposed to...just not sure exactly how much...
also...i would make sure it is mixed well before I use the new water....

 

[kylev]

I threw out the first gallon. The TDS meter on it is reading 0, so I figured it should be ok?

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kylev http:///forum/thread/374812/280g-fowlr-tank-diary/260#post_3320502
I threw out the first gallon. The TDS meter on it is reading 0, so I figured it should be ok?
IDK...I threw out like 10G's.....

 

[kylev]

I just tossed out about another 5 gallons to be on the safe side, I'm figuring on moving it to the top off tub later tonight after I have enough to get some salt mixing for tomorrows w/c.
Do you think I should feed in the QT tonight?

 

[meowzer]

You have the tang and 2 clowns in it????? IDK...LOL....If you are only feeding a teeny bit, I am sure that is not your ammonia issue....so maybe a small amount....
so go with the feed lightly.....personally I like to feed my fish ..LOL

 

[kylev]

Yeup it's the clowns and tang in there and I also like to feed my fish so I'll feed lightly

 

[kylev]

My LFS has a decent size frag of branching hydnophora that he's trying to sell me for 25 bucks. I know it's SPS but do you guys think its worth the risk to try with the possibility of the angels eventually eating it, or should it be ok?

 

[kjr_trig]

If your TDS is reading 0, your water is fine.
Is the tank getting much natural light?
Remember you have to be FAR more tedious with the water in a QT than in the DT. And I will correct RCreations, Ammonia is certainly worse than Nitrite, but neither are good. I am by no means the QT expert, but when I add a fish to QT, I feed next to nothing for the first several days, a QT tank can't remove waste like a DT can. If you are having Ammonia I would do large water changes to get rid of it, and ALWAYS have water mixed and ready when you have your QT running.
I personally wouldn't do SPS in that tank, what are the total watts again? And how many times turnover per hour?

 

[kylev]

Hi Kjr
The DT is located about 15 feet from windows so it could get a slight bit of natural light, the QT has no natural light at all. From today on I should always have mixed water on hand I just didnt want to use the crappy r/o. The total watts of the tank are 648 and I'd say turnover per hour is about 19
I just did another 5g water change tonight and I just tested as well (know it wont be super accurate but did anyways) and Am is back to 0 but nitrites are at .25ppm. I also dosed with the nite-out again. I'll do a really light feeding tonight and another w/c and test tomorrow

 

[rcreations]

Quote:
Originally Posted by kjr_trig http:///forum/thread/374812/280g-fowlr-tank-diary/260#post_3320753
And I will correct RCreations, Ammonia is certainly worse than Nitrite, but neither are good.
Really? I always read that nitrites are worst than ammonia. I'm talking about nitrites, not nitrAtes. But you could be right, I don't know.