Moving to reef in the next 2 months have a few stupid questions

flcandy

flcandy

Member
OK so I just moved my tank from a 30 gallon hex tank to a 70 gallon Rectangle.
I have a 2 1/2" sandbed that is not live but the bacteria is established as I had it cycling in a SUMP for over 3 months and fed it well.
I have 2 fish Yellow Bellie damsel (gets along great with the wrasse and in general is kind of timid for a damsel)
and a 6 line that has started to finally eat pelleted foods once they have gotten good and soggy.
I was wondering what fish would be goo to add I was looking towards a flame angel and a mandarin goby (once I have seeded the sand bed and let it go for about 6 months.)
I was wondering , since I have base rock that has been in the tank since the start and should have some pretty awesome bacteria colonies and good algae on it and looks like the like rubble I see when I am snorkeling it weighs about 15 lbs itself. How much LR can I add and what would be a good fish list? I am looking to also get some more in the way of a cleanup crew as I only have 3 hermits since my wrasse ate my cleaner shrimp.
This is all going to happen in the next 2-3 months.
Any input on lights and a few ideas for a fish list would be great!
Thanks for any help.
 
darknes

darknes

Active Member
For rock, since you are moving to a reef and want a mandarin, I'd recommend no less than 1.5x the tank size (for 70gallons, at least 100 pounds).
The type of lighting you need really depends on what kind of corals you want to keep.
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
Mostly looking into the softies and mushrooms.
I need to also get another salinity measurer. I want a refractometer but have been using a Hydrometer. I have been going by the chart on this page as I know they arent accurate at 79 degrees as that is my tanks constant temp.
http://www.algone.com/salinity.php
So right now it is at 1.021(per the chart) I know I have to get it up and will do this slowly over the next few weeks as I need to get a new bag of salt! LMAO I used it all to get the water moved! The person I got the tank from said it was 30 gallons but come to find out it is at least 70 since my 30 gallon and rocks and sand didnt even get it to half full.
All my parameters are at 0 and the PH is a little high but that will be rechecked tomorrow AM since I just added it to the new tank.
so knowing this and the pic in my avatar (I allready see that the floro I have is not sufficient even for the fish only tank due to the shadows)
I was wondering if moon lights are necessary as well.
Thanks for the quick re.
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
PS I have a 30 gal SUMP just waiting to get a Mag 5 for the return as I have everything else.

This will be installed in the next month using pre-cycled water from the GOOD LFS I found in Naples.
Thanks for any input.
 
darknes

darknes

Active Member
I recommend using a refractometer, they're so much easier to use. At least you are using a temperature-correcting chart for your specific gravity; most people don't realize that temperature plays a big difference in your SG. If you get a refractometer, salinity is not dependent on temp.
As for moonlights, they are purely aesthetic. You do not need them.
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
Thanks I am looking into the refractometers but cant afford the ones on this site so I am looking elsewhere.
Yeah I looked it up when I was getting a reading of 1.024 and my poor fish were having a heart attack.
I need to look on the classies or post on them but I wouldnt have the $$$ until 3 weeks from now, Just getting the info first so I have a price list.
Thanks
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
NP I dont know what you got from the post! LMAO I am glad my question has helped people other than me! LOL
 
darknes

darknes

Active Member
Lol, he's a spammer.

You can usually get a really good deal if you search the classifieds or someone selling their equipment.
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
YEP! LOL The Man works right next to it now! LOL Specialty Electronics In Naples! LOL SO I have a good excuse to go down there now! HAHA

And on the spammer... oops I have been on a hiatus for a few weeks as I have been trying to find a home for the snake I owned and, Thanks to a friend he has a new home! LOL I took his tank though and tested it for any seal breakage and that is now my new 70 gallon going to be reef tank. It is a fish tank not a snake tank thank gawd! LOL So yep that is what I did yesterday all day!

My poor 2 fishes! (Sixline and Damsel) are so scared they dont know what to do with all the room! LOL

(I had the water premixed and ready for the tank that gawd!)
I cant wait!
Early, do they have good prices on LR there? I am looking to invest in some pre-cured locally since I dont have anything to put it in as of yet.
Thanks.
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
K I found my lights. T5HO 4ft/4 lamp Reef Lighting
I am going to be paying 99 for the lighting system and the 4 lights all included is:
# Aluminum body is lightweight, heavy duty and rust proof
# Accommodates ultra efficient, high output
# T-5 lamps Included 2 x 54w 10000k blue and 2 x 54w 10000k white
# Two switches and 1 power-cords
# Cool operation and NO noise
# 2.5 inches high
# Mounting Leg : Included
# Save Electronic
# High quality and reliable
here is a pic
Let me know what else I need to get the most from them. I know I will need another reflector but I thought this was a good start as I havent found anything for this price anywhere else.

 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
Bump any input on the lighting? Also I need Ideas for fish. I allready know I want a flame angel and a mandain, these will wait until I have a good amount of LR in the tank and pods as well but anything else? I have a 70 gallon and only 2 fish (Kupang Dam and a Sixline)
Thanks
 
flcandy

flcandy

Member
Hello all! Just wondering what Kind of corals I can keep under that light in a 70 gallon Tank that is 3' Tall?
Thanks the tank is a total of 4' long.
Thanks
I dont know what I should get? I just dont want to kill anything.

I know plenty about the fish and water quality, just looking to get input on the supps I need for LR and corals, I know calcium needs to be at 400ppm, anything else?
THANKS GUYS! Sorry I am such a pest about this! LOL
 
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