Numerous questions

[dlh0024]

Hello, brand new poster here. Lots of info!
What is recommended for salt level for fish? I've read .26 is good for inverts that I also have in tank. Is that ok?
Nitrates: My ph is 7.8 (cannot get it higher even with chemicals), Nitrites 0, Amm is 0, Nitrates are 80 to off the chart. I've done water changes, cleaned filters (with chroline free water to prevent die off). Added nitrate remover bags in filters, etc. 75 gal tank with approx 75 lbs live rock. Just started siphoning crushed coral base. No improvement. Tank setup for approx 3 months.
Anemones? I have standard hood but have upgraded bulb to high output. Do I still need more light? I have stocked liverock to almost surface so will anemone go their on its own if it wants more light?
RO: Just bought one from large retailer and am installing it today. Will this remove the chroline, etc from the water or do I still need to add chemicals before putting water in the tank?
Feather dusters: Just put them in the tank or bury the tube?
I have so many more questions. Thanks for all your help!

 

[integral9]

Originally Posted by dlh0024
Hello, brand new poster here. Lots of info!
What is recommended for salt level for fish? I've read .26 is good for inverts that I also have in tank. Is that ok?
Generally anything close to 1.024sg or 8-12dKH is fine.
Originally Posted by dlh0024
Nitrates: My ph is 7.8 (cannot get it higher even with chemicals), Nitrites 0, Amm is 0, Nitrates are 80 to off the chart. I've done water changes, cleaned filters (with chroline free water to prevent die off). Added nitrate remover bags in filters, etc. 75 gal tank with approx 75 lbs live rock. Just started siphoning crushed coral base. No improvement. Tank setup for approx 3 months.
Anemones? I have standard hood but have upgraded bulb to high output. Do I still need more light? I have stocked liverock to almost surface so will anemone go their on its own if it wants more light?
Maybe, they have a mind of their own and will go where they want. About the light, you need better lights that just T-12 VHOs. Preferably T-5 fluorescents or metal halides. Shoot for about 4-5W per gallon. There is another measure, but I don't know how to calculate it.
Originally Posted by dlh0024
RO: Just bought one from large retailer and am installing it today. Will this remove the chroline, etc from the water or do I still need to add chemicals before putting water in the tank?
It will remove everything but H2O.
Originally Posted by dlh0024
Feather dusters: Just put them in the tank or bury the tube?
I have so many more questions. Thanks for all your help!
dunno about the dusters. My LFS just leaves them on the sand bed. Your tank is extremely new still, so your chemistry is gonna be a bit weird. Also, make sure you clean and rinse you test equipment before testing. You'll get false readings otherwise. Eventually your tank will stabilize, takes about 6months.
I spent about 3 months reading this forum before I jumped into the hobby, that answered a lot of questions I had and some that I didn't know to ask. Just keep researching.

 

[lubeyift]

Hello all. I am just starting a new tank and have some questions before I get it started. I bought a 29 gallon start-up kit . The kit contains a eclipse3 filtration and illumination system, salt, hrydrometer, master kit, heater, thermometer.
1. Is there anything else that I might want to consider getting to helpthe tank?
2. I've been looking at sand. Is there a difference between live reef sand and live coral sand? Is that all that I use for the substrate?
3. How much live rock should I use with the tank? Should I cure it before putting it in?
I think that is all I have for right now. I look forward to all of your suggestions. I amsure that I will be here alot asking questions in the future.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by LubeyIFT
Hello all. I am just starting a new tank and have some questions before I get it started. I bought a 29 gallon start-up kit . The kit contains a eclipse3 filtration and illumination system, salt, hrydrometer, master kit, heater, thermometer.
1. Is there anything else that I might want to consider getting to helpthe tank?
2. I've been looking at sand. Is there a difference between live reef sand and live coral sand? Is that all that I use for the substrate?
3. How much live rock should I use with the tank? Should I cure it before putting it in?
I think that is all I have for right now. I look forward to all of your suggestions. I amsure that I will be here alot asking questions in the future.
Hi Lubey, Welcome!
You'll have better luck getting questions answered if you start your own post. When questions are mixed together like this the answers can get really confusing.
Click on the "New Hobbiests" link at the top of the page and then click "New Post" to ask your questions. I'll be looking for them.
Bang

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by dlh0024
Hello, brand new poster here. Lots of info!
What is recommended for salt level for fish? I've read .26 is good for inverts that I also have in tank. Is that ok?
Nitrates: My ph is 7.8 (cannot get it higher even with chemicals), Nitrites 0, Amm is 0, Nitrates are 80 to off the chart. I've done water changes, cleaned filters (with chroline free water to prevent die off). Added nitrate remover bags in filters, etc. 75 gal tank with approx 75 lbs live rock. Just started siphoning crushed coral base. No improvement. Tank setup for approx 3 months.
Anemones? I have standard hood but have upgraded bulb to high output. Do I still need more light? I have stocked liverock to almost surface so will anemone go their on its own if it wants more light?
RO: Just bought one from large retailer and am installing it today. Will this remove the chroline, etc from the water or do I still need to add chemicals before putting water in the tank?
Feather dusters: Just put them in the tank or bury the tube?
I have so many more questions. Thanks for all your help!
Welcome dlh!
A specific gravity of 1.026 is perfect for reef animals in my opinion.
RE: PH How long has your tank been set up? New tanks often have leftover organic acids from cycling. They will go away with time and more water changes. Don't ever try to alter your PH with chemicals. It's always a bad idea.
It sounds like you were using tap water with a dechlorinator. I strongly recommend you use purified water instead. Your RO was an excellent investment. If the tap water is high in Nitrate and Phosphate then you can reduce these levels no matter how many water changes you do. Does your RO have a deionizer?
Do not add anything to the water.
Do not purchase an Anemone now
Please reconsider an Anemone. The survival rate for new hobbiests is less than 1%. Once you gain experience you will understand why but for now please do not get one, the chance for success is just too low.

 

[dlh0024]

I'm working on up'ing the salt as I was told .23 so I'm working on going to .26. My temp was at 83 so I'm dropping to 78.
I tested my tap water last night and no issues with Nitrates, Copper, etc but I'm installing a RO anyway. Have not seen any other responses yet on how to drop those Nitrates.
I've had fish for about 20 yrs. Saltwater for about 5. I am probably premature on the anemoes but I have some on the way. Too late now to change my order.
Is is possible to have too much filtration? I've read more is better than less. There is no room left for any more filters on the back of my tank. Maybe that is a problem?
Fluval 405, 305, hang on tank skimmer, some large wheel that is supposed to remove ammonia, two power heads that run two aquaclear tubes, a small bio-wheel filter.
With my fish order in the past month I think most of my snails have died, a clam seems dead, hermit crabs I don't see anymore. I'm only guessing the salt level was too low for them? I have not removed any of the snail shells that no longer move but my ammonia is 0 as well as the nitrite so I'm assuming they are not hurting anything?
Please help!