zmydust
Member
Please feel free to comment, critique, or suggest things about my setup. Right now its set as FOWLR, but I hope to turn to reef after time.
This is my first SW setup, a 35g hex tank. I started with about 40 lbs of crushed coral as substrate, and a day or two after added 30 pounds of live rock. At the same time as the LR, I added 4 damsels, 3 of which are still alive.
My noob mistakes I'll admit are as follows: Ive used about 10 gallons of RO/DI water from the LFS, but the rest is all tap. I know this is a no-no, so don't shoot me yet. I am on a budget but I will do what it takes - may eventually buy a RO/DI system. I do not have a QT because I'm in an apartment and space is an issue. I also do not have a skimmer because of the akward size of the hex, but I think I can live without for the time being.
The equipment I use is an emporer 280 filtration, a UV filter which also adds flow (the LFS guy talked me into buying this UV filter, which I've since read is virtually useless, nonetheless its paid for and installed). It does sorta act as a powerhead, so at least its doing something. I also have a heater and keep the temp at about 81. The lighting is a current USA Power Compact 24 inch 65wx2 which sits about 7 inches above the water line. I do not have a top on the tank, because I haven't found anything sutiable to fit the hex, and the stock one wouldn't work with the light.
As far as the chemistry, the salinity has stayed around 1.021, the PH has stayed 8.2, and the Nitrites have always been 0. The nitrates started at 10ppm, and raised today to 20ppm. I also saw signs of ammonia for the first time recently, but very low, .25 ppm. The water does stay very visiably clear. The additives that I use are Instant Ocean PH booster, and purpleup liverock clenser. I feed them a mix of frozen brine shrimp and flakes. I do regular 10% water changes and one 30% about 2 weeks ago. I do regular topoffs with fresh water.
Mid February when I added the upgraded light, I also added a tomato clown and a singapore angelfish. The clown is kind of a spaz, but seems very healthy. The angel is more chill, and loves to hide out in the caves of the LR. He often feeds off of the junk on the live rock. When I added the light and the fish, a few days later I had a nasty outbreak of brown algae, which lasted a few days. Once I scarped it off the LR, substrate, and sides by hand, it seemed to dissapate, and I haven't seen any more growing, everything looks clean now.
I'm looking for the "cycle" which I cannot identify if this has happened yet. All my measurements have never been 0 - nitrates always been nagging me. I'm wanting to add more creatures, inverts, coral, etc. but I don't believe its ready yet. What are your opinions on the time line of adding more life?
Tell me what you think! Thanks for reading.
This is my first SW setup, a 35g hex tank. I started with about 40 lbs of crushed coral as substrate, and a day or two after added 30 pounds of live rock. At the same time as the LR, I added 4 damsels, 3 of which are still alive.
My noob mistakes I'll admit are as follows: Ive used about 10 gallons of RO/DI water from the LFS, but the rest is all tap. I know this is a no-no, so don't shoot me yet. I am on a budget but I will do what it takes - may eventually buy a RO/DI system. I do not have a QT because I'm in an apartment and space is an issue. I also do not have a skimmer because of the akward size of the hex, but I think I can live without for the time being.
The equipment I use is an emporer 280 filtration, a UV filter which also adds flow (the LFS guy talked me into buying this UV filter, which I've since read is virtually useless, nonetheless its paid for and installed). It does sorta act as a powerhead, so at least its doing something. I also have a heater and keep the temp at about 81. The lighting is a current USA Power Compact 24 inch 65wx2 which sits about 7 inches above the water line. I do not have a top on the tank, because I haven't found anything sutiable to fit the hex, and the stock one wouldn't work with the light.
As far as the chemistry, the salinity has stayed around 1.021, the PH has stayed 8.2, and the Nitrites have always been 0. The nitrates started at 10ppm, and raised today to 20ppm. I also saw signs of ammonia for the first time recently, but very low, .25 ppm. The water does stay very visiably clear. The additives that I use are Instant Ocean PH booster, and purpleup liverock clenser. I feed them a mix of frozen brine shrimp and flakes. I do regular 10% water changes and one 30% about 2 weeks ago. I do regular topoffs with fresh water.
Mid February when I added the upgraded light, I also added a tomato clown and a singapore angelfish. The clown is kind of a spaz, but seems very healthy. The angel is more chill, and loves to hide out in the caves of the LR. He often feeds off of the junk on the live rock. When I added the light and the fish, a few days later I had a nasty outbreak of brown algae, which lasted a few days. Once I scarped it off the LR, substrate, and sides by hand, it seemed to dissapate, and I haven't seen any more growing, everything looks clean now.
I'm looking for the "cycle" which I cannot identify if this has happened yet. All my measurements have never been 0 - nitrates always been nagging me. I'm wanting to add more creatures, inverts, coral, etc. but I don't believe its ready yet. What are your opinions on the time line of adding more life?
Tell me what you think! Thanks for reading.
