Part one:
Not sure if I'm having a problem balancing my chemicals or if my test kits aren't reliable. Using API at the moment and know I need to invest in a better kit/equipment. We had an algae outbreak that we trimmed down in a week with 2 emerald crabs and 2 turbo snails (the crabs are back at the LFS now because the bastards ate my pink sponge). Phosphate and Kh were really high (5 and 22 respectively). We did a 15g water change, moved the tank which equaled a 25g change and complete disturbance of the environment, and another 10g change since dealing with the aglae.
Tonight's numbers:
Hydrometer .026 (.031 reading, LFS proved a 5 point difference, refractometer is a ways off)
Calcium 520 (Rising and not sure why. 500 last night, 440 a week ago)
Carbonate 14 (lowering slowly, was 22 two weeks ago at LFS.)
PH 8.1 (Wants to settle at 8.0, using aquavirto balance to raise. LFS said it won't affect Kh but reading seems to say it won't raise calcium.)
phosphate .25 (Was 5 at LFS a week ago)
75g, canister filter rated for 80g (will be upgrading, 55g sprung a leak so we upsized the tank), 2 power heads. No sump, no skimmer. Livestock includes a dragon goby, 2 turbos, 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 small hermit, 3 clowns and a juvenile hippo (She eats like nuts but looks starved the last week or so. Started mysis yesterday and hoping to see her bulk up). Tank is almost 3 months old.
We're working toward having corals but don't think it's ready. The Ph wanting to stay low, the Kh staying high and the calcium rising has me concerned. Are water changes and continued monitoring the best route?
Part two:
There is no doubt we need a skimmer. No room for a sump. I don't like the idea of an hob skimmer but it may be the best route. Found last night that there are in-tank skimmers people seem pretty happy with and that's a more desirable route if it's doable. I have no idea how this works! Suggestions are greatly appreciated.
I was kind of dragged into the hobby but am really taking to it, and I want to make sure it's done as right as possible (on a budget!). Lots of reading, lots of questions, so I'm learning the basics as we go. I have some faith in our LFS, they're great folks and have great fish and quality, but also feel they like to throw products at a problem instead of balancing the system as naturally as possible.
Not sure if I'm having a problem balancing my chemicals or if my test kits aren't reliable. Using API at the moment and know I need to invest in a better kit/equipment. We had an algae outbreak that we trimmed down in a week with 2 emerald crabs and 2 turbo snails (the crabs are back at the LFS now because the bastards ate my pink sponge). Phosphate and Kh were really high (5 and 22 respectively). We did a 15g water change, moved the tank which equaled a 25g change and complete disturbance of the environment, and another 10g change since dealing with the aglae.
Tonight's numbers:
Hydrometer .026 (.031 reading, LFS proved a 5 point difference, refractometer is a ways off)
Calcium 520 (Rising and not sure why. 500 last night, 440 a week ago)
Carbonate 14 (lowering slowly, was 22 two weeks ago at LFS.)
PH 8.1 (Wants to settle at 8.0, using aquavirto balance to raise. LFS said it won't affect Kh but reading seems to say it won't raise calcium.)
phosphate .25 (Was 5 at LFS a week ago)
75g, canister filter rated for 80g (will be upgrading, 55g sprung a leak so we upsized the tank), 2 power heads. No sump, no skimmer. Livestock includes a dragon goby, 2 turbos, 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 small hermit, 3 clowns and a juvenile hippo (She eats like nuts but looks starved the last week or so. Started mysis yesterday and hoping to see her bulk up). Tank is almost 3 months old.
We're working toward having corals but don't think it's ready. The Ph wanting to stay low, the Kh staying high and the calcium rising has me concerned. Are water changes and continued monitoring the best route?
Part two:
There is no doubt we need a skimmer. No room for a sump. I don't like the idea of an hob skimmer but it may be the best route. Found last night that there are in-tank skimmers people seem pretty happy with and that's a more desirable route if it's doable. I have no idea how this works! Suggestions are greatly appreciated.
I was kind of dragged into the hobby but am really taking to it, and I want to make sure it's done as right as possible (on a budget!). Lots of reading, lots of questions, so I'm learning the basics as we go. I have some faith in our LFS, they're great folks and have great fish and quality, but also feel they like to throw products at a problem instead of balancing the system as naturally as possible.
