New to reefs and saltwater

[dcombs44]

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

Cool. That answered my question completely. The salinity won't go down if you top off with non salted water?

Think of it like this. Water is all that evaporates. The salt doesn't. So, as your tank has less and less water with the same amount of salt, your concentration of salinity goes up. You just replace the evaporated water to keep your salinity the same. If you top off with saltwater, your salinity will continually rise. Not good.

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

So basically I need 4 bulbs? Apparently that company makes a 4 bulb as well. Essentially I'll have to spend $100 for a light whether it's two 2 bulb or one 4 bulb I guess hah. Heat may be an issue as we're not really supposed to have "heat lamps" at school or particular kinds of light that produce too much excess heat.

If you use T5, I'd say you need 4 bulbs. If you use power compact, you could go with a 2 bulb fixture, but the cost will end up about the same. Opinions may differ, but that's my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

I'll look into that for sure. You've used freshwater tanks and never had an issue?

No, I've never used a freshwater tank for saltwater. That's why it hasn't been an issue for me.

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

I'll ask if they ever had to treat for ich. What's the best way to clean an aquarium? I've heard vinegar and water?

Vinegar and water are fine, as is bleach. Just rinse well.

[bassplaya12]

^^ The water thing makes sense. I'll check out some prices on lights at the stores today. So if I were to clean with vinegar and water and bleach the tank should be fine?

[dcombs44]

I can't promise you that with regard to copper. I've read that copper can be absorbed by the seams of the tanks and such.

A 10 gallon tank is $10 pretty much anywhere. I'm not sure I would use bleach and vinegar together. Either/or. Probably not both. I'm not sure how they'd react, and best not to mix if you don't know.

[bassplaya12]

True. And if we can find a decent new aquarium for cheap maybe we'll just do that

[bassplaya12]

Found a great local store today!

[bassplaya12]

In terms of keeping corals, I think I need calcium, buffer, iodide, and their zytoplankton food or whatever right?

[dcombs44]

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

In terms of keeping corals, I think I need calcium, buffer, iodide, and their zytoplankton food or whatever right?

As I mentioned earlier, most corals that we keep are photosynthetic, meaning they derive energy from the algae living within their tissues. I would recommend steering clear of non-photosynthetic corals.

Corals will still eat meaty foods left over from feeding your fish. I'm guessing you're speaking of phytoplankton. Probably don't need to dose phytoplankton. I'm pretty sure that it can be beneficial in a number of cases, but is better used for filter feeders like clams and such from my understanding.

Stony corals are the ones that will need supplemented calcium for the most part. If you stick with soft corals, you probably won't need to supplement calcium as your water changes will be sufficient.

Beyond the basic parameters of pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, you can consider phosphates, calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium are all interrelated.

If you do want to buffer calcium and alkalinity, I recommend a 2-part supplement like B-Ionic. http://premiumaquatics.com/store/mer...egory_Code=ESV

and this for magnesium: http://premiumaquatics.com/store/mer...egory_Code=ESV

Not sure that it's overly necessary if you aren't raising stony corals, but it never hurts to have your parameters in check. If you do plan to dose, make sure you are testing what you are supplementing.

I don't recommend dosing iodine. Your salt mix will contain traces of iodine, as do the 2 part solutions. Some people do it with "success", but it's hard to test for, and if you can't test for it, don't add it.

Beyond calcium and alkalinity supplement and magnesium, I don't really recommend adding any chemical or quick fix to your tank.

Hope that helps.

FYI: There are other methods to add calcium (i.e. calcium reactors, kalkwasser dosing, etc.) and you can also make your own 2 part, but for a tank your size, you'd probably be best served 2 just buy the premade 2 part.

That's what I do on my 10 gallon.

[bassplaya12]

^^ I was looking at that B-Ionic...That would be good? And yeah phytoplankton was what I was talking about hah...too early in the morning for me

[Jarred1]

a 4 bulb fixture on a 10g tank would be for sps you only need the 2 bulb fixture. i have had mine for almost 5 months now and everything is doing great.

[bassplaya12]

^^ Ordered the same light as you have Jared. After talking with the fish store, the "easy corals" need about 5 watts per gallon. That light is 4.8 so it'll be perfect. The 4 bulb would be pushing 100 watts thus eliminating the ability to keep mushrooms or any different easier soft corals. Or at least that's what I gathered.

[dcombs44]

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

^^ Ordered the same light as you have Jared. After talking with the fish store, the "easy corals" need about 5 watts per gallon. That light is 4.8 so it'll be perfect. The 4 bulb would be pushing 100 watts thus eliminating the ability to keep mushrooms or any different easier soft corals. Or at least that's what I gathered.

Watts per gallon is outdated methodology. It's all about PAR values and intensity.

You may well get by with 2 bulbs, but even some of the easier corals like zoanthids are found in tide pools and very shallow waters and get blasted by sunlight.

True, many mushrooms are found at lower depths, but they can adapt to more intense light and can be placed under ledges and lower in the tank.

I suppose if you do have trouble, you can just add another fixture.

Either way, watts/gallon is not a valid measurement for deciding on lighting anymore.

[bassplaya12]

I figure the ten gallon isn't very deep so hopefully it'll be ok

[bassplaya12]

what about a lid on my tank?

[bassplaya12]

^^^

[dcombs44]

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

^^^

Open top will allow for better heat and oxygen exchange in my opinion.

If you purchase fish that are more prone to jump, you can use something like eggcrate light diffusers to cover it. Just buy a sheet from Lowes or something and cut it to fit.

It allows air and light through, but will keep MOST fish in the tank. Some of them are amazing escape artists that no one can figure out