How am I doing so far...

Kenpo guy · 05/08/2015, 10:28 AM

Well I'm two months in to my tank so I thought I'd note my progress so far and see what y'all think. I've tried not to panic and I've spent a lot of time here searching old threads and reading, lots of reading on line as well. I think I'm in pretty good shape so far but would welcome any further advice.

Tank:
37g 18x18x24, CF 400 canister, Marineland 18" programmable reef LED, Sicce power head, 46lbs live rock with sand substrate.

Parameters:
No2- 0 (API)
NO3- 0 (API)
Ammo- 0 (API)
PH- 8.2 (API)
Calcium- 420 ppm (Red Sea)
Alkalinity- 8dkh (Red Sea)
Magnesium- low at 1110ppm (Red Sea) I started adding mag slowly to get it up around 1350 over the next few days.
Salinity- 1.026 SG (refractometer)

Live Stock:
CUC - Emerald crab, blue knuckle hermit, 7 small red and blue leg hermits, 4 cerith snails, three trochus snails, 2 peppermint shrimp, brittle star

Fish - Clown pair and a Blue Reef Chromis

Coral - Finger leather, xenia and a frogspawn

So other than the mag issue everything "seems" ok. I still worry everyday and check the tank every day counting all the hermits and the snails shrimp etc. Yes I'm such a noob. The skimmer is still up for debate. My water is very clear but I know the skimmer will make it even better. I clean the glass about every 2 days or so and my cuc is keeping the rocks and sand very clean so no complaints there. Frogspawn just doesn't want to open up all the way. I've tried it in several different areas of the tank different flow and lighting etc. It hasn't made a difference. Would except any advise and or criticism anyone has. Sorry I don't have any pics of the xenia I just added them last night. Thanks!

ScienceAchieved · 05/08/2015, 11:24 AM

i had a similar light fixture at first, i found the low end led's will keep most soft coral alive and pretty healthy, but i didnt get any notable growth till i switched to t5's. i also had a frogspawn, hammer and duncan that werent happy until i replaced it. i dont think the marineland fixture has much output. my experience has been that the low lighting requirement corals are doing better than ever under a halide t5 combo. slightly used high end set ups sell for like 1/4 original cost or less on ebay or craigslist if you keep an eye out. finding the right lighting has made a huge difference for me.
id also get a skimmer. theres more crap in the water that you dont see. i feed my 4 small 1 and 2" fish 3 light meals a day and give my coral coral frenzy once every week in a 55 gallon, the skimmer pulls a good cupfull of nasty sludge weekly.
im still learning alot myself, but these have been a big benefit to me

BigCountry74 · 05/08/2015, 11:40 AM

x2 with that tank i would shoot for a 250w MH pendant perhaps. run a 14k bulb and pick up a HOB reef octo bh-1000 skimmer and you will be SET to grow whatever you want in that tank bro.

both of those you can score on craigslist if you look hard enough.

Kenpo guy · 05/08/2015, 11:58 AM

Lighting is certainly one of my bigger concerns. I've been a little unsure about whether this light will do the job. I will definitely check out ebay and see what I can find. This really is no surprise as I figured lighting would be my first major change to my current set up. Thanks for the advice.

Kenpo guy · 05/08/2015, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCountry74

x2 with that tank i would shoot for a 250w MH pendant perhaps. run a 14k bulb and pick up a HOB reef octo bh-1000 skimmer and you will be SET to grow whatever you want in that tank bro.

both of those you can score on craigslist if you look hard enough.

So would this still be LED or are you talking about adding conventional lighting? I'm unfamiliar with both the T5 and the Pendant so I'll do some reading up on both. The skimmer has always been a plan for the future. I just want to address the most immediate concern first.

brianr24 · 05/08/2015, 12:23 PM

Hey bud nice tank. I'm in similar situation I'm in about two months also.I have current marine led. I have GPS,Kenya tree and a frogspawn. myan were actually all open and looking great. But I Just couldn't rest until I boosted lighting. I got a 30 in dual t5 but I'm keeping the current run too. (I'm expecting a boost in algae.)I also had low mag and calcium.I fixed it with tech M before I stocked tank but it sucks cuz now I do 5 gallon water changes and I have to dose about 15 ml. Cancium and 60 to 80 ml.tech m. To get 420 and 1400. In Cchange water before I add.I use instant ocean salt mix. I'm thinking of adding aquamaxx hob-1 too.we'll see. Good luck.

BigCountry74 · 05/08/2015, 12:34 PM

http://www.coralvue.com/lumen-bright...-mogul-pendant
(you can find these used all over craiglist for cheap)

then the radion bulb will be another 60-80. so for under 200+- you will have a light that will grow anything in that tank with all confidence. find a used reef octo hob skimmer (either a bh-1000 or bh-2000) for another 125 or so on craigslist and you will be all set.

oh, and you hang the pendant (light) from the wall or ceiling etc. anywhere from 10"-14" above the tank (14" if it's a shallow tank).

05/08/2015, 11:40 AM	#3
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	x2 with that tank i would shoot for a 250w MH pendant perhaps. run a 14k bulb and pick up a HOB reef octo bh-1000 skimmer and you will be SET to grow whatever you want in that tank bro. both of those you can score on craigslist if you look hard enough. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/08/2015, 12:34 PM	#7
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	http://www.coralvue.com/lumen-bright...-mogul-pendant (you can find these used all over craiglist for cheap) then the radion bulb will be another 60-80. so for under 200+- you will have a light that will grow anything in that tank with all confidence. find a used reef octo hob skimmer (either a bh-1000 or bh-2000) for another 125 or so on craigslist and you will be all set. oh, and you hang the pendant (light) from the wall or ceiling etc. anywhere from 10"-14" above the tank (14" if it's a shallow tank). __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/08/2015, 11:24 AM	#2
ScienceAchieved Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 102	i had a similar light fixture at first, i found the low end led's will keep most soft coral alive and pretty healthy, but i didnt get any notable growth till i switched to t5's. i also had a frogspawn, hammer and duncan that werent happy until i replaced it. i dont think the marineland fixture has much output. my experience has been that the low lighting requirement corals are doing better than ever under a halide t5 combo. slightly used high end set ups sell for like 1/4 original cost or less on ebay or craigslist if you keep an eye out. finding the right lighting has made a huge difference for me. id also get a skimmer. theres more crap in the water that you dont see. i feed my 4 small 1 and 2" fish 3 light meals a day and give my coral coral frenzy once every week in a 55 gallon, the skimmer pulls a good cupfull of nasty sludge weekly. im still learning alot myself, but these have been a big benefit to me

05/08/2015, 11:58 AM	#4
Kenpo guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 107	Lighting is certainly one of my bigger concerns. I've been a little unsure about whether this light will do the job. I will definitely check out ebay and see what I can find. This really is no surprise as I figured lighting would be my first major change to my current set up. Thanks for the advice.

05/08/2015, 12:23 PM	#6
brianr24 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: P.A. Posts: 256	Hey bud nice tank. I'm in similar situation I'm in about two months also.I have current marine led. I have GPS,Kenya tree and a frogspawn. myan were actually all open and looking great. But I Just couldn't rest until I boosted lighting. I got a 30 in dual t5 but I'm keeping the current run too. (I'm expecting a boost in algae.)I also had low mag and calcium.I fixed it with tech M before I stocked tank but it sucks cuz now I do 5 gallon water changes and I have to dose about 15 ml. Cancium and 60 to 80 ml.tech m. To get 420 and 1400. In Cchange water before I add.I use instant ocean salt mix. I'm thinking of adding aquamaxx hob-1 too.we'll see. Good luck.