Newbie 12 gal

nano12er

nano12er

Member
Hey all, I have drenched my feet in the wonderful world of S.W. finally and I have many questions. First the basics on my system,
Eclipse 12
50/50 light, 13 watt(I realize that it is kinda weak)
15 lbs l.r.
10 lbs live sand
3 zebra hermits
2 astreas
3 blue leg hermits
a 1" serpent star that just appeared
2 oscellarious clowns 1 1/4"
2 zoo clusters
yellow coral colony?
1 unknown by me coral (center top of tank and rock)
and lots of little bugs and worms on the rock
ok, I must be an idiot... I can not figure out how to reduce my images so I can post them here, sorry.....
I think that's it.... I will try to attatch some pics as well
Water parameters are good, do I need a protien skimmer? I perform a 30% change once a week, and everything seems to be going good so far. although I have lost 6 astreas and a feather duster so far as well as one zebra hermit.
I found a bristleworm in a water change, and returned it to the tank as per suggestions online, was this a mistake?
ok, more questions to follow I am sure, I don't want to over step my newbie bounds... ha ha!!
Thanks!!
 
bjoe23

bjoe23

Active Member
Hi welcome to the boards and this addiction hobby! First of all did you cycle your tank before putting any inverts, fish or coral in it? Next i dont think your lighting is strong enough to support any corals yet. Also to get pics on the site resize the at www.photobucket.com
Welcome and good luck on your tank
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member
thanks Bjoe for the advice on the photos!! I will try to figure them out soon. So far as cycling the tank, yes I did that, I bought uncured LR from the lfs and live sand and began cycling and curing the rock... water changes every 3 days... my amonia and nitrites are zero and nitrates almost non existent now. I waited for about a month for the entire process to take place. I have discus, and understand the cycling of water, although this is a whole new ball game....lol!!! I do understand that the light might not be strong enough, though it is what I have to work with right now..... Damn combo kits!!!...lol Anyway thanks for the advice!!!
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member
ok, so now, I have a feeling it is tome fro another fish, as well as more corals and zoos... any suggestions?? Everyone is healthy and having a good tome, my corals are growing like crazy, much faster than I anticipated, and my clowns are are so flippin friendly!!!
 
new2salt1

new2salt1

Member
Originally Posted by Nano12er
ok, so now, I have a feeling it is tome fro another fish, as well as more corals and zoos... any suggestions?? Everyone is healthy and having a good tome, my corals are growing like crazy, much faster than I anticipated, and my clowns are are so flippin friendly!!!
Are these Eclipse tanks even built for saltwater? 1.08 watts/gallon is not enough. I think my BioCube 14 is 3.3 watts/gallon, and my pico is 6/gal.
I personally would add anything until you see this system thrive for months.
Just because things are alive doesn't mean you are meeting their essential needs. From the sounds of your questions, you should spend time reading until you feel confident on yourown 2 feet.
 
new2salt1

new2salt1

Member
"Water parameters are good, do I need a protien skimmer? I perform a 30% change once a week, and everything seems to be going good so far. although I have lost 6 astreas and a feather duster so far as well as one zebra hermit."
Your water is not good if your clean up crew can not survive.
You are just going to keep "losing" things (aka killing things) if you dont know what you are doing.
6 months ago I started my SW tank, and I have yet to kill ANYTHING.
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member
I realize that the lighting is not sufficient, or so I have heard, if anyone knows of a stronger light for this system, please let me know. So far as losing things, it has been over a month since that has happened. The astreas and feather duster I lost were because I didn't realize that they needed to be acclimated as well, I asked the guy at the lfs, and he said they didn't....Not trusting him again!!! Do I think the Eclipse system is sufficient?? Not 100%, although everything seems to be doing well.
Ok, Thanks all!! Comments and concerns are much appreciated!!
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member
ok, so after much criticiscism about my lighting, yesterday I went out and bought a new light, it is a 50/50 36 watt T5HO. High Output. Apparently stronger than a regulat T5 light. My Tank is so Flippin bright now!! It lights up the entire room at night!! What a difference in color and brightness. I also put in a Hydroflo power head #1 and man do I have flow now!! With the light I had to lose the hood, although I may be ablr to retro fit the light into there somehow.
Thanks!!
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member
Ok, so it has been a little while since I posted on here, and thanks to all for the advice so far!! jsut wanted to post some pics of the tank, things are going well, and everyone seems to be very happy in the tank.
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=IMG_0679.jpg
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=IMG_0730.jpg
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=IMG_0714.jpg
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=IMG_0734.jpg
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=IMG_0728.jpg
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=IMG_0684.jpg
hopefully this works for the pics, I forget how I imported them last time.....
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member


IMG]http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii317/ghg924/IMG_0709.jpg[/IMG]
IMG]http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii317/ghg924/IMG_0714.jpg[/IMG]



not sure if this works either, sorry
 
jwagne267

jwagne267

Member
I have the same setup and was wondering if you had an issues with the flow or if you were able to retrofit the lighting. I want to get a bta but im afraid my lighting will not support it.
 
nano12er

nano12er

Member
Well, it has been some time since I have posted about my tank, and everything is going well. I moved and I thought that was going to be the end of it all due to break down and set up issues or mishaps... It thankfully was not!!! I did lod=se a feather duster in the move, though nothing else!!
My coraline is everywhere, pink, purple, red, and lime greenish... tough stuff to get off the walls!!
Jwagne267, sorry I haven't gotten back to you, it hsa been a busy few months...
Yes I did retro fit my lighting, I went with a Nova Extreme T5HO 36 watt, drilled the hood to allow the supports to fit in place and the tank has never been happier!! easy job!! So far as flow is concerned, yes I added a Hydor Korila #1 and everything is moving along very well, the filter I have left alone, and it really seems to do a great job.
Well, pics...




 
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