90 gl reef tank

rhyno36

Member
We have been keeping two 55 gl fish only tanks for about 6 months with great results. About 2 months ago we purchased a 90 gallon reef tank. It had been set up for 4 years but the owner got rid of all his fish and inverts except one badly beaten up yellow tang and a flame damsel that beat it up. We got rid of the damsel and the Yellow tang is doing great, but still looks like he lost many fights. Now to the question; We want to put in corals and calms. Right now we have 3 cleaner shrimp, 6 snails and brittle star and some star fish in the sand to clean.
Our tank specs:
90 gal acr
660 watts VHO Lighting
78-80 water temp (we have ordered a chiller)
100+ lbs LR and Bottom is LS
Wet Dry Filter, which we are slowly removing Bio Balls
Very good protien skimmer
0 Nitrite
0 Ammonia (goes up to .25 at times, but not too long)
2.5 - 5.0 Nitrate (it never goes higher than this)
8.2 PH
1.025 Salinity
Now the the questions, sorry long winded:
We have two bubble amenomes that wont stay in one place, any suggestions on helping them find a place to stay?
Second, we want to start with clams and some leather corals. We have been putting in calcium (Kent Calcium buffer, part A and B) and Strontium as recommended on products for about 2 weeks. When do you think we can add the clams and corals?
 

burnnspy

Active Member
You can add Deresa and Squamosa clams when you have alkaliniyt 2.2-5.0mel, 0.5ppm or less phosphates and 380-480ppm calcium.
You can add a Crocea and Maxima when you meet the above criteria and install 2- 175watt MH bulbs(6500K will be good with 3 actinic and 1 daylight VHO). I recommend the higher intensity or they may slowly starve.
BurnNSpy
 

sonny

Member
The anemones will continue to move until they find the light they want... While they may have enough intensity, the QUALITY of the light may be poor. The lamps may be old and need replacing. VHO lamps need to be replaced at least every 12 months. If you have 660 watts of VHO, does that mean you have 6-110 watt VHO Lamps, or does that mean you have an icecap 660 ballast? If you inherited the bulbs with the tank you bought, I'm sure they need replacing.
Sonny
 

rhyno36

Member
Thanks Sonny, that is exactly what we did yesterday, the one of the anemones attached and the other two look happier. Thanks again, and we have 6 x 110 watts of light, three ice caps 660.
 
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