why can't i keep corals

jbillens

jbillens

Member
i think that would be a great decision. see if you cant sell the tank/stand/canopy. if you can get a decent amount for it it wont cost you anything to downgrade. try you lfs to see if they would be interested or post on the classifieds forum here or on another forum. if you do go for a new tank just remember lights and skimmer are not places to skimp on the budget. save yourself the headache and do it right from the start. i dont know how many times i wanted to kick my self for going the cheap way and then having to upgrade later on. i think a 75 or 55 would be great for you. i have a 75 and can keep pretty much anything, with the exception of larger tangs and things of that sort.
josh
 
dejaco

dejaco

Member
Hey rather than downsizing try this, add 2 more bulbs, the retro fit kits are not expensive and easy to install. I would use 166 watt VHO but 4 HO 72" flourescents in a 125 gallon
tank would give you 440 watts. Most not all corals will do okay in that if you keep them up on the rock work. Try to keep them within 12" of the surface. Also IMO you should get more rock - my 210 has 300 lbs. along with a deep sand bed. Don't give up just research better before adding perishable stock! Good luck.
 
jbillens

jbillens

Member
that is also a very good plan of attack. i would think that would be better than downsizing because you have more volume. also with your 125 you can keep those fish that can not be in smaller tanks. there are many sites online with great retros. even that big auction site has good deals a lot of the time. do some intense reasearch and then make your decision.
josh
 
O

oreo12

Guest
Yes do water changes 10% to 15% once a week. using only ro water never ever use tap water I have been down that road and would not belive anyone either then I decied to try ro water in one of my tanks the alage cleared up and the corals started to grow and survive. I would'nt down size just add as you can. Once you get the tank up and going the expence falls to min. Buy your salt from the docs web page shipping is cheep I bought some with a skimmer and the shipping only went up $2.00 after adding the 200 gal pal of salt. the salt was 39.99 my local shop gets 25.00 for a 50gal bag. Change the carbon once a month and a little plangto? once a week and that just about dose it.
You need about 40lbs more live rock you could try finding out if you have a local club that might have a web site that could have a clasifed section and find live rock and lighting cheep I bought a used 55 gal tank and nice pc light for 150 also I found 90lbs of live rock for $70.00 I picked up 3 nice large corals for 10 each and then a couple weeks ago I picked up some more corals nise size for $5.00 each they had sold there set ups off and still had these and deciced to just get out colage stunets getting reasy to move home I do belive. There are good deals all around you just have to watch each day 2-3 times daily.
 
crazyreefnut

crazyreefnut

Member
Kepp it simple stupid, I am not saying that you are stupid by any means. I am just saying in simple terms to keep corals you should have about 125lbs or MORE and your calcium should be kept at 400ppm at a minium, Lighting should be 4-5 watts per gallon. these are the miniums and remember to test for any changes in your water quality, and only use rodi water. You could find a RODI system on line for about $200.00 it beats going to your LFS for water. Hope this helped.
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
urchins arent reef safe for one. and two, you have less than 2 watts per gallon (i know this isnt the "formal" way of measuring but for VHO it works) with that light you CANNOT keep any clams, or hard corals, but most softies you can. how long has your tank been set up for? having ls and more rock isnt going to keep your corals from dying, but ls is better and more rock aids in filtration.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I agree

[hr]
Live rock will not keep corals from dying.

[hr]
raise your sq to 1.25--check your flow, you may not have enough--two powerheads in a 125 dosent sound like you have enough. For a reef you need 15 to 20 x flow.--- increase your lights. you may be able to keep shrooms up high on your live rock though ----stop adding so many supplements----your water changes should replenish anything used by your tank.. I dont add anything
 
blitz99

blitz99

Member
Originally Posted by phishface
lol - deaf & blind comment
:joy:

but i must say, that comment is in no way directed towards the maker of this thread... he asked a legit question... and needs answers, but, do this, do that is garbage for an answer.
 
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