Tank crash, calcium and lighting?????

saltrookie

Member
First of all, don't we all love our kids...my 16 year old decided the fish "looked hungry" so he decided to feed them, he dumped half of the shrimp pellets. Thanks son!! Anyway, as we can all guess, my tank CRASHED big time and I lost almost all of my fish and none of my coral. My questions are as follows:
1) First of all, I lost all but one clown golby and my porcupine puffer...before there is any
going on...I know my 37 gal. is to small for my puffer (puffy) but, didn't know that at the time. Have talked to a reputable LFS store and he will take him in for trade when the time comes and wondering what the cause of the "colors" to change on him and the clown. They have gotten paler in color, is this due to the "crash" (he is almost white instead of brownish with brown spots...isn't it funny how we identify our fish)??
2) Now have diatoms (sp) on my sand and wondering what is causing this?? My tank is fairly new....(4 months old) and have read by searching it could be because of new tank or because of using tap water. I am going to get a RO unit this weekend. Reading how important it is and NOT taking anymore chances!! My guess, from reading also, is not enough water flow (due to this being in only one corner of my tank). I have a 320 gph water flow powerhead (with wave maker thingy) and know that I now need at least 370. Going this weekend to get another one for the other side and hope that helps.
3) I have read many different things from this site about calcium and I really wonder what the "idea" reading is for a reef tank? Since my crash...I've got my tank stabilized again and now working on my calcium. The last read...it was in the 500's, my questions is...what is the idea rate for a reef tank on calcium??? Also, one more question on this, here is my lighting situation...I've recently aquired a 96W quad 50/50 10,000k/actinic 03 light. Is this enough for a anenome (sp?) to be housed under?? I have a 37 gal cube tank. I have done many searches on this site before asking this ? on the calcium and have come up with many different opinions...which one do I follow??
Any help in this situation is greatly appreciated!!! I do search the past threads before asking a question, hoping not to repeat myself but...sometimes, you just gotta ask because it's to confusing or you can't find the "right" answer!! TIA!!
Monica
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by saltrookie
1) First of all, I lost all but one clown golby and my porcupine puffer...before there is any
going on...I know my 37 gal. is to small for my puffer (puffy) but, didn't know that at the time. Have talked to a reputable LFS store and he will take him in for trade when the time comes and wondering what the cause of the "colors" to change on him and the clown. They have gotten paler in color, is this due to the "crash" (he is almost white instead of brownish with brown spots...isn't it funny how we identify our fish)??
Bad water quality and insufficient nutrient(as in food wise) would cause that!!!
2) Now have diatoms (sp) on my sand and wondering what is causing this?? My tank is fairly new....(4 months old) and have read by searching it could be because of new tank or because of using tap water. I am going to get a RO unit this weekend. Reading how important it is and NOT taking anymore chances!! My guess, from reading also, is not enough water flow (due to this being in only one corner of my tank). I have a 320 gph water flow powerhead (with wave maker thingy) and know that I now need at least 370. Going this weekend to get another one for the other side and hope that helps.
And again, bad water quality and too much nutrient would cause this!! Start by doing a large water change around 20-25% every other day. You should check your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates.
3) I have read many different things from this site about calcium and I really wonder what the "idea" reading is for a reef tank? Since my crash...I've got my tank stabilized again and now working on my calcium. The last read...it was in the 500's, my questions is...what is the idea rate for a reef tank on calcium??? Also, one more question on this, here is my lighting situation...I've recently aquired a 96W quad 50/50 10,000k/actinic 03 light. Is this enough for a anenome (sp?) to be housed under?? I have a 37 gal cube tank. I have done many searches on this site before asking this ? on the calcium and have come up with many different opinions...which one do I follow??
I keep my calcium around 400. I would suggest a stronger lighting for an anemone, preferably halides. You should check your PH & Alkaline if your calcium is that high. They might be low!!!
 

saltrookie

Member
Thanks for your help!! My PH was out of whack but, it is all settling down now and my calcium is slowly climbing its way back down. I'm going today to get another powerhead and at least an RO unit if not a RO/DI unit. Another question I have....do I need to do frequent water changes to get the "quality" water in there or should I just do it slowly as normal since all my reading are starting to stabalize?? Guess an anemone is out for me then...I'm happy with my zoos and I'd rather have some sort of moonlight. What does anyone prefer on that topic....I would like to get it today as well. When I do, since my tank is not used to it..should I acclimate the moonlight?? TIA.
 

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by saltrookie
Thanks for your help!! My PH was out of whack but, it is all settling down now and my calcium is slowly climbing its way back down. I'm going today to get another powerhead and at least an RO unit if not a RO/DI unit. Another question I have....do I need to do frequent water changes to get the "quality" water in there or should I just do it slowly as normal since all my reading are starting to stabalize?? Guess an anemone is out for me then...I'm happy with my zoos and I'd rather have some sort of moonlight. What does anyone prefer on that topic....I would like to get it today as well. When I do, since my tank is not used to it..should I acclimate the moonlight?? TIA.
Just do 10% a week water change. It should be just fine. No need to acclimate moon light. :happyfish
 
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