How much LS variety for a 40g? System Improvements sought

craig1632 · 04/30/2011, 11:40 PM

So I got a 40g breeder with a sump (36"w * 10"d * 12"h= ? gallons). Lighting provided by a six bulb tek T5s with ATI bulbs.. In sump skimmer is an Aqua Euro USA but I plan on upgrading. I have a Phosban Reactor, RKL with phosphate monitor, chiller, and try to make waves using koralia evolutions. I also have two JBJ ATOs which I have not been able to get to work properly.

Two questions: what balance of LS would you keep (for example I realize dendros require too much feeding to be kept with SPS) and what modest changes would you make to my system on a $800 budget?

I have been in the hobby for two years but did not test much, my nitrates and phosphates were always high. I had MH and T5s used so in truth I am not sure if the bulbs were too old but I did not see any growth. Zoas and palys and LPS did fine otherwise except for Candy/Trumpet corals which would adjust nicely but after two weeks began receeding.

I am over zoas and palys. Would like to try SPS with fish and maybe some LPS. I am testing more often now. Calcium is between 480 - 560; Nitrates are 20-40; Phosphates are almost 0, and Kh is 9-10. I have not tested magnesium but just learned of its importance so I will be starting that soon too. Salintiy does go up and down and I am embarrassed to say how bad it gets but I am very pleased I have not lost more than what I have.

Live Stock: I like fish but realize that when some get too large, they are too difficult to move to a larger tank. Maroon clowns get pretty big as to blue jaw triggers which came with the tank when I bought it. I have several SPS frags too. My red planets and digis have done well as have a few others (at least they have not died) but I have lost two monti plates IDKW. I may have had too much current directed at one.

So with a budget of $800 or so, what investments would you make? A better skimmer? Cal Reactor? Better pumps/SWQD?

I realize that this is a big question, and maybe I would do better to look at tanks I admire and try to replicate those. But I also don't want to invest $1,000s. So in your vast experience, hopefully my existing system can be tweaked to compare to some of the best you have seen. Thank you so much for the generous wisdom I have seen shared on these boards. If you have links to share, that might prove most motivational. Thanks again.

craig1632 · 05/02/2011, 12:31 AM

Please do not post replies here. I have decided to seek advice in another manner
. Thanks all the same.

04/30/2011, 11:40 PM	#1
craig1632 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 17	How much LS variety for a 40g? System Improvements sought So I got a 40g breeder with a sump (36"w * 10"d * 12"h= ? gallons). Lighting provided by a six bulb tek T5s with ATI bulbs.. In sump skimmer is an Aqua Euro USA but I plan on upgrading. I have a Phosban Reactor, RKL with phosphate monitor, chiller, and try to make waves using koralia evolutions. I also have two JBJ ATOs which I have not been able to get to work properly. Two questions: what balance of LS would you keep (for example I realize dendros require too much feeding to be kept with SPS) and what modest changes would you make to my system on a $800 budget? I have been in the hobby for two years but did not test much, my nitrates and phosphates were always high. I had MH and T5s used so in truth I am not sure if the bulbs were too old but I did not see any growth. Zoas and palys and LPS did fine otherwise except for Candy/Trumpet corals which would adjust nicely but after two weeks began receeding. I am over zoas and palys. Would like to try SPS with fish and maybe some LPS. I am testing more often now. Calcium is between 480 - 560; Nitrates are 20-40; Phosphates are almost 0, and Kh is 9-10. I have not tested magnesium but just learned of its importance so I will be starting that soon too. Salintiy does go up and down and I am embarrassed to say how bad it gets but I am very pleased I have not lost more than what I have. Live Stock: I like fish but realize that when some get too large, they are too difficult to move to a larger tank. Maroon clowns get pretty big as to blue jaw triggers which came with the tank when I bought it. I have several SPS frags too. My red planets and digis have done well as have a few others (at least they have not died) but I have lost two monti plates IDKW. I may have had too much current directed at one. So with a budget of $800 or so, what investments would you make? A better skimmer? Cal Reactor? Better pumps/SWQD? I realize that this is a big question, and maybe I would do better to look at tanks I admire and try to replicate those. But I also don't want to invest $1,000s. So in your vast experience, hopefully my existing system can be tweaked to compare to some of the best you have seen. Thank you so much for the generous wisdom I have seen shared on these boards. If you have links to share, that might prove most motivational. Thanks again.

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05/02/2011, 12:31 AM	#2
craig1632 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 17	Please do not post replies here. I have decided to seek advice in another manner . Thanks all the same.