New Tank and Hobby

[baymonkey]

Hi, this is my first time posting. I have spent the last few months setting up my 120 gallon tank. The tank currently has 180lbs of rock. Do you think that's enough. The LPS recommened 2-2.5 lbs per gallon. my second question I'm almost ready for fish and corals. I want a reef tank, but am not sure how to go about picking species are even what order to place them in the tank. If anyone can help I would be grateful. Thanks Bay Monkey

 

[sweetdawn]

i wouldnt buy any more lr if you want corals. corals usually come attached to live rock so whenever you add a coral you will get more and welcome to the board

 

[jjlittle]

Get a book on corals etc it will help you greatly and let you know which one get along and there need placement etc Lighting needs you really need to research or you wil have alot of dead corals and lost money

 

[kdfrosty]

I'd say that you are pretty good on LR. Adding LR over time to reach 250lbs. wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

[baymonkey]

So I'm brand new to the salt water hobby, I've had several frsh water tanks and maintain a lovely pool most of the time. I've been cautious and patient with my tank and tonight while shopping for coral. Not more LR as they think I need. (thanks for the advice earlier.)the LPS told me my PH had reached dangerous levels, and they say I'm at risk of losing my LR which is all I have in the tank. $130.00 later I still have no clue, and a ton of chemicals. Could the rest of you tell me what you use to lower your PH. Also is is possible for the salinity and PH to be the far out of range of each other? Thanks much Amy

 

[merredeth]

Originally Posted by baymonkey
Could the rest of you tell me what you use to lower your PH. Also is is possible for the salinity and PH to be the far out of range of each other? Thanks much Amy
First off, what is your PH?
From what I am reading into your posts, I am guessing that your LFS is testing the water. Please don't tell me that your local fish store is testing your water. If they are, please, please, please get your own test kits and start doing your own tests.
Trust me, there will be am emergency some time and your LFS will not be open and you will need to know your readings immediately.
Please tell me that you are using RO water.
To lower your PH you have to do a partial water change. I can't tell you how much because you haven't posted what your PH readings were. Some people do a 10% water change weekly, some people do it as needed. There is debate on what would be 'correct.'
Personally, keep a notebook under each tank cabinet where I can write my readings down, observations, when I add new tankmates and when I do water changes and I date the journal entries. That journal saved me from myself.
I came into this hobby without knowing a lot about it and made my fair share of mistakes. My journal idea came to me after a disaster in my tank. I'll continue to take the five minutes and write everything down because I can go back and see things went wrong if there is a problem.
Denise M.

 

[baymonkey]

Thanks for the journal idea, I bought a note book this morning. The LPS told me not to by a test kit it would just be easier for them to do it... Anyway they sold me buffers as I was reading the directions I realized that would raise PH so I went to a wholesaler this morning, bought a test kit, and no I don't have high PH it's right where it should be. So thanks for the advice and from now on I will be more wary of retailers. By the way any beginning coral recommendations???

 

[merredeth]

Originally Posted by baymonkey
Thanks for the journal idea, I bought a note book this morning. The LPS told me not to by a test kit it would just be easier for them to do it... Anyway they sold me buffers...
Now you see what we mean! The LFS is a business and they want to sell you things. Not ALL stores are going to give you inaccurate readings, but one never knows when they are new in the hobby which LFS is good and who isn't.
Het yourself a Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia kit in addition to the PH kit. Also invest in a hydrometer or refract if you can get it now. Refract is better as it is far more accurate.
You said your tank is only a few months old. You haven't posted much here and you are asking basic information which leads me to believe you are new to the hobby. Welcome aboard. It has a lot of rewards and a lot of challenges. There are a lot of good people here who are better able to direct you in the coral arena.
I''m just getting into corals and have been doing fish and live rock systems. I have some, but I have had my share of challenges with Rather than steer you incorrectly, I'm going to let those with far more experience answer that question and read with you as I use these boards a lot for learning a long with books that I have purchased on the famous online book site.
Denise M.

 

[kdfrosty]

I wouldnt use buffers to stabilize pH. Regular water changes with RO water, good circulation, and good gas excahnge at the surface of the tank is always important.
I would remove any tops that you are currently using on the tank. Make sure you have the surface rippling all over. Make sure you do regular tests. Buffers are a last alternative, IMO.