What do you think?

[iechy]

OK I think I've got all I need what do you think? 55 gallon, 30lbs live rock, 3 inches live sand, Fluval 304, Bak Pak skimmer, Extra powerhead for water movement (plan to add two more), 110w VHO actinic 100w VHO 10,000k. Water readings are good with exception of pH which is a little low (8.0) which I'm trying to raise. I have 2 perculas, 2 damsels which will be returning on a trade for my next fish, a coral banded, chocolate chip, brittle star, 2 emerald crabs and a bunch of hermits and snails. I have been going for about a month and think I am ready to slowly start adding fish and coral. Can any of you experienced hobbyists think of anything else I need or do I look ok?
One more question I had always added stress coat to my old tanks when I dabbled in this before (it was always fish only and unfortunately poorly and cheaply done) but it makes my tank fill with bubbles from the skimmer. What should I add to take it's place, if anything, to remove chlorine etc.?
Thanks as always,
Rich

 

[steamboat1569]

The thing that stands out with your system is that you feel the need to get rid of chlorine. May I assume that you are using tap water?
If so there are probably several other things that need removed from the water, such as copper, silicates, etc.
Look into RO or distilled water. All the contaminates are removed with these processes.
I use RO water and have never had the need for stress coat.

 

[bang guy]

I agree with the RO/DI water. For now STOP the Stress Coat!
Let the water aerate for 24 hours before adding it. Find a place to But RO water or buy an RO unit. RO/DI is best because RO membranes let a lot of silicates through.
A tap water purifier will work in the meantime if you can't get an RO unit right away.

 

[iechy]

I am putting a little on the side until I can get enough together for a RO/DI unit. So distilled water would be just as good? I can get that at the grocery until I get my RO/DI. If I use distilled or RO/DI it won't have anything to be removed and thus no stress coat right?
Thanks for the advice.

 

[sinner's girl]

yes, you can go to wal-mart (or wherever) and either buy the water or fill up your own gallons. it's .33 cents at wal-marts around here. they it set up at the front of the store.
you add calc it will raise your ph and help coral line grow.

 

[iechy]

Thanks sinners girl. Is that Ro they sell at Wal-Mart or distilled? I guess Ro would be better if I can find that but hopefully by my next water change I'll have my own. Thanks for the calcium advice too I need to raise my pH and if it helps coraline then so much the better.
By the way, where are you in Louisiana? I am in the New Orleans area. Know of any good LFS I should check out?

 

[steamboat1569]

After some debate on this board, and some solid research on companies that make distilled water, distilled is as good and may be even more pure than RO/DI with the new state of the art distilleries now in business. It is your choice what to get, and they are all good.

 

[fshhub]

the only other things i may add(to what has been said), would be some more rock and sand, what you have is good, but more in these substances is better
personally i like 4 inches of sand(or a little more)and 1.5 lbs of rock per gallon minimum, but this is only my preference

 

[iechy]

I just took a ride to where I remembered there is one of those big water kiosk things. It said it was RO and all kinds of other filtration and 1.00 for five gallons so I think I'll just use that until I get my own rig. I am going to get 20 more lbs of rock this weekend and add more as I get the money and as I start imagining how to fit pieces into my "vision" of what I want the tank to be like. As far as adding more live sand, that is one of my regrets that I had not found this board before I set up or I would've had more. Would adding more now cause any problems with my current inhabitants with all the granules suspended in the water?

 

[fshhub]

it could, but if you use live, and add slowly, only a little at a time(over several weeks), it will help to avoid a cycle and not cloud as bad by using ls

 

[richard rendos]

If you do use tap water, use Prime from Seachem to get rid of chlorine. You have enough light for some low light corals. If you plan on adding corals, I would get rid of the chocolate chip star. He will eat soft corals/anemones. Also I would think about getting a little more live rock. Other than that, it sounds pretty good to me.

 

[iechy]

Thanks everyone! Richard I do plan on getting rid of the chocolate chip when I start adding corals though I hate to as he's so cute. How much more light should I get? I had read that 3-5 watts per gallon were recommended and I have 4. I don't expect to try to keep the most delicate corals around right now anyway but would I be OK ,in your opinion, for "garden variety" corals?

 

[richard rendos]

By low light, I meant that you should be able to keep LPS, softies, mushrooms, etc. I would not try SPS or clams in that tank without adding more light.

 

[sinner's girl]

Iechy~ there is a Mr. Fish on the Northshore that has a verity of saltwater fish (and stuff for every other animal). they have a cool long reef set up. there fish look good, however i have never bought anything from them (the tank is in 4.5 hours from here). I prices on most look resonable, better then the lfs in Monroe.
I was told about one on the westbank where skate country is (or was anyway) I think there is a bike store near there also. I have not been there yet, since i'm on the Northshore. if you want i can find out the name of it and exact location. I know there is a petsmart and a ***** also on the westbank, but have not been to either yet, they were not there when i lived there.
glad i could help. actually i have no idea if the water at walmart is RO or disstilled...that seems like something I should know though...
btw, if you want some live stock or some other supplemments, clownfish4life has a post in Trading & Classifieds. (we're getting the lr) He's in the New Orleans area.

 

[iechy]

Thanks Sinner's Girl! I saw clownfish4life's post and emailed him too about the LR but you beat me to it. If you haven't checked out Coral Connection near the airport in Kenner you should check it out. They have a website too www.coralconnection.com. Since I don't have any soccer games to play this weekend, I might take a ride and check out the stores you mentioned. I want to get another 30 lbs of LR and a fan for my canopy.

 

[sinner's girl]

my dad told me about the one in kenner, i was actully getting on to tell you about it...I haven't been to it yet but i've heard it's nice...maybe i'll get a chance to check it out soon... the only thing is the tank is 4.5 hours from me, so we're limited on what we can buy here. but i love just spending time at lfs...
umm...that web address brought me to "AutoSolution Pro
The auto industry's technology answer"

 

[iechy]

Oops! MUst be a bad link maybe it's the period at the end. try typing it in the address bar. I just went to t site to chack and that is the correct address.