nitrate is perfect nitrite is dreadful help!

perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
To add a bit of advice here. WAIT.... just let every thing be for a while. Test frequently, see what your results are. If you have any anemones in your tank get rid of them. Give them back to the FS, trade them in for credit or what ever. Let your tank run and stablize, its wayyy off the charts in alot of areas.
IMO You added insult to injury when the hippo and yellow tank went south you added corals and 5 anemones.. 2 fish that large already spiked your amonia levels and could of very well killed alot of benificial nitrifing bacteria, as if that wasnt bad enough you added 5 anems that also died, most likley because of the toxicity of your water. However IMO they all would of perished in time.
Your tank IMO isnt large enough to house that many anemones, your water chemistry is to unstable at this time and your lighting is far below par (no pun intended) to house any type of anemone. Once you get your water chemistry in check start slowly ask for advise post tank test results and any inhabitants you have left. IMO you have started a cycle all over again, wait until you see 0 amonia, 0 trites and minimal trates. Then do a water change 10 to 15 %. Wait another day or 2 test your water and post back here with results. I dont know if any or all of this was said already but this is just my 2 cents.
If you are interested in lighting for an anemone, you need to first research which species you are intersted in. Second ask or research what their requirements are, and lastly up grade your lighting to support one. Nothing less than HO t-5's on your tank at least 100watts, with individual reflectors. And again that depends on which species of anemone you would want.
 
bgrimm

bgrimm

Member
You'll also want to RO/DI water for your tank. Maybe from your LFS. Tap water is a problem in it self.
 
nathanrudy9

nathanrudy9

Member
i use tap water with a filter...its all i got....the lights are together 130 watts and seemed to be ok...i dunno the guy in fs said the next upgrade is to metal halide lighting wshich on a 55 gallon tank would run me $700
but thanks guys
 
perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
Originally Posted by nathanrudy9
i use tap water with a filter...its all i got....the lights are together 130 watts and seemed to be ok...i dunno the guy in fs said the next upgrade is to metal halide lighting wshich on a 55 gallon tank would run me $700
but thanks guys

For soft corals perhaps... definatly not anemones and although MH lighting is an option its not your only one. You can get t-5 HO lights for less than half that.
 
djcanis

djcanis

Member
Hey man, sorry to hear about your losses. Can't say I havent made the same mistakes myself, but we live and we learn. IMO, you went way to fast. Always check tank levels before taking a trip to the LFS, in fact I always test, and bring a small ammount of water and let the LFS test as well. No sense in buying if its just gonna die. As far as the cycle, my 30 took close to 2 months to cycle after its last move. Wait it out, paitence is a virtue in salt water. Once you are finished with the cycle, take it slow. Add a fish or 2 but do go out and fully stock the tank. Wait a few weeks / month and add again. Make sure to give ample time in between additions so the tank can adjust. You have to remember that you are creating a micro ecosystem and anything introduced into that habitat will effect it.
On a side note, I would NOT get any more then 2 clowns for the same tank. Try to find ones that are paired at the LFS. They can be agressive to other fish and each other if introduced seperately. They seem to be very territorial. And they do not need and anenome to survive, and there is no gaurentee that a clown will pair with an anenome. My clown is more then happy without one, I have tried twice and both times the clown wanted nothing to do with it.
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Here's a thread that's a sticky in the New Hobbyists section that has links to tons of helpful threads that the mods have put together. It's got all of the most useful information that any new hobbyist should read:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
Please try to read as much as you can before adding any livestock and you'll likely find answers to questions you don't even know you have yet. Trust me, it's better to do your research first, then get things going.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Unfortunately, though the tank looks nice, it tells me that your LFS sells "dyed" corals, in particular the Goniopora, and the yellow leathers (I think those are leathers?). Those look bleached, and the bright yellow is artificial.
Apart from the fact that they gladly sold you so many animals to a tank that was no where near ready, they also do not have high quality livestock, IMO, and I would not spend more money there, personally.
 
lexluethar

lexluethar

Active Member
You cannot determine if there is enough lighting based off of the look of the lights. There is more to lighting then just "how bright it is." You are trying to mimic the sun's natural rays, something as we all know involves more than just bright lights. Read up and take our advise, YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH LIGHTING. Your corals may survive for a few weeks, but in the long run (4+ months) they will all die.
On a side note, the tank does look pretty with all of those colors. You should be mindful of placing anemones and corals in the same tank - anemones are not reef (coral) safe and can kill corals by stining them.
 
nathanrudy9

nathanrudy9

Member
i have a 55 gal stad. rectabgle tank as u can see maybe from the pics i currently have 2 48 in bulbs 1 atonic and total watts is 130 ive be an told thats not enough lighting im thinking of upgrading...what do u recommend ??
im looking at 1-..48" 216W (4-54 watt) Quad T6 Fluorescent Light Fixture (W/B)and 2.. 48" 760W Metal Halide System (Electronic Version)
is the mh lighting and 760watts to much for my 55 gallon tank ?
please comment
Nathan
 
ameno

ameno

Active Member
if you go with vho or MH, shoot for around 4 watts per gal. or more. or look into a t-5 unit with individual reflector such as tex brand. that would require less wattage. I would go with a complete single unit, coralife is one brand there's lots to chose from. but they will have a combo of vho and mh lighting, do some research to be sure before you buy, there's a lot of options and 760watts I think would be way more then you would need
 
nathanrudy9

nathanrudy9

Member
i got some help and did some research and this site seam to be the best value i dont know if thyre products are quality products do u need name brand mh's? .."{EDIT LINK} they carry generic brands is that ok...??? would u go with the mh's 48" 760W Metal Halide System (Electronic Version)$379
or ....48" 216W (4-54 watt) Quad T6 Fluorescent Light Fixture (W/B)?$79
or do u have another idea ?
thanks
nathan
 
ameno

ameno

Active Member
I think the lights your looking at are made by odysse, I have heard bad things about them, not the best quality, and type of ballest make them produce less par, which is what your looking far in reef lighting, personally I would stay away from them, checkout the coralife unit for that size, I have a 24" versions of it on one of my old tanks and it worked great. but will be more expensive
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by nathanrudy9
are corals that require medium to low light i.e. sun corals, chili's ok ? with my lightning?
thanks
nathan
With feeding...they will require some active care.
 
ameno

ameno

Active Member
by the way you can't post links to other sites here, they will delete it, not allowed
 
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