Need Some Advice

Bnortz · 02/24/2011, 06:00 PM

Hey guys,

I'm currently running my first tank. It's a 60 gallon, just like the standard 55 just a bit higher. It has 60 lbs. of LR, 40 lbs. of LS, 6 nassarius snails, 1 remaining peppermint shrimp after my snails feasted on the other two, and one yellow watchmen goby. Water parameters are in check and the livestock seems to be healthy and happy. I plan on adding more fish in the next few months, but before doing so, there are many things I still need to get.

-Skimmer (I'm planning on a Octopus HOB with no sump as I anticipate upgrading in tank size within a year or two)

-Lighting (I'm probably gonna go HOT5 as I'll eventually get some soft corals, zoas, mushrooms, and other beginner corals)

-Powerhead (not sure of the amount of flow I'll need for a 60 G)

-Additional CUC

-Base Rock

-Auto-Top Off

If you guys could give me some suggestions on the order I should go about buying these things I would appreciate it. Something to put into consideration is that I'm 15 and on a tight budget. Thanks for your time

-Ben

Sk8r · 02/24/2011, 06:07 PM

Hold off on the skimmer a while and trust your live rock---no sense buying a hob unit that you'll just have to sell. That will free up some money. Don't overstock, don't overfeed: get lights that will handle the length tank you want---and maybe get some hammer or frogspawn coral, which will help the filtration a bit, if your light is T5 reef-capable: coral IS a filter. You will be able to supplement calcium via your ATO bucket, via pickling lime, no kidding. It's called dripping kalk. Get all that going, ask good questions, read all the stickies, and by the end of April you should see the RC Used Equipment forum open up to your viewing, which will let you buy a used skimmer, maybe pick up a used tank. And you won't have double-bought anything.

Bnortz · 02/24/2011, 06:11 PM

Sounds like a good plan to follow, thanks. How often and how much should I do PWCs? and what would be a good amount for stocking?

Sk8r · 02/24/2011, 06:14 PM

Weekly 10% would be a good regimen. I'd hold it to the equivalent mass of three 4" yellow watchmen plus your CUC for right now, until you find that bargain skimmer; corals are free mass, since they take up waste instead of producing it. Your watchman is another that's a cleaner rather than a messy eater. Think about your future stocking list, consider the habit of the type, and remember you may have these fish for 20 years, so plan well! A starry blenny would be a great acquisition, very compatible, and a film algae eater, so another cleaner-upper. They're amazing to watch.

Bnortz · 02/24/2011, 06:16 PM

I was thinking of adding a pair of true percs, a royal gramma, and possibly a flame angel if not something no bigger then that....would that work alright?

jdyer88 · 02/24/2011, 06:25 PM

I don't think you would be overstocked at that point

Bnortz · 02/24/2011, 07:03 PM

Alright thanks guys.

I was referred this as my CUC from reefcleaners.org:

40 Dwarf Ceriths - small effective cleaners
17 Nassarius
18 Florida Ceriths
9 Large Nerite and 7 Small to medium Nerites

Does that sound right or is that an overload on snails?

02/24/2011, 06:00 PM	#1
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	Need Some Advice Hey guys, I'm currently running my first tank. It's a 60 gallon, just like the standard 55 just a bit higher. It has 60 lbs. of LR, 40 lbs. of LS, 6 nassarius snails, 1 remaining peppermint shrimp after my snails feasted on the other two, and one yellow watchmen goby. Water parameters are in check and the livestock seems to be healthy and happy. I plan on adding more fish in the next few months, but before doing so, there are many things I still need to get. -Skimmer (I'm planning on a Octopus HOB with no sump as I anticipate upgrading in tank size within a year or two) -Lighting (I'm probably gonna go HOT5 as I'll eventually get some soft corals, zoas, mushrooms, and other beginner corals) -Powerhead (not sure of the amount of flow I'll need for a 60 G) -Additional CUC -Base Rock -Auto-Top Off If you guys could give me some suggestions on the order I should go about buying these things I would appreciate it. Something to put into consideration is that I'm 15 and on a tight budget. Thanks for your time -Ben

02/24/2011, 06:07 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Hold off on the skimmer a while and trust your live rock---no sense buying a hob unit that you'll just have to sell. That will free up some money. Don't overstock, don't overfeed: get lights that will handle the length tank you want---and maybe get some hammer or frogspawn coral, which will help the filtration a bit, if your light is T5 reef-capable: coral IS a filter. You will be able to supplement calcium via your ATO bucket, via pickling lime, no kidding. It's called dripping kalk. Get all that going, ask good questions, read all the stickies, and by the end of April you should see the RC Used Equipment forum open up to your viewing, which will let you buy a used skimmer, maybe pick up a used tank. And you won't have double-bought anything. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/24/2011, 06:14 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Weekly 10% would be a good regimen. I'd hold it to the equivalent mass of three 4" yellow watchmen plus your CUC for right now, until you find that bargain skimmer; corals are free mass, since they take up waste instead of producing it. Your watchman is another that's a cleaner rather than a messy eater. Think about your future stocking list, consider the habit of the type, and remember you may have these fish for 20 years, so plan well! A starry blenny would be a great acquisition, very compatible, and a film algae eater, so another cleaner-upper. They're amazing to watch. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/24/2011, 06:11 PM	#3
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	Sounds like a good plan to follow, thanks. How often and how much should I do PWCs? and what would be a good amount for stocking?

02/24/2011, 06:16 PM	#5
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	I was thinking of adding a pair of true percs, a royal gramma, and possibly a flame angel if not something no bigger then that....would that work alright?

02/24/2011, 06:25 PM	#6
jdyer88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Riverside, California Posts: 434	I don't think you would be overstocked at that point

02/24/2011, 07:03 PM	#7
Bnortz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Village, Ohio Posts: 825	Alright thanks guys. I was referred this as my CUC from reefcleaners.org: 40 Dwarf Ceriths - small effective cleaners 17 Nassarius 18 Florida Ceriths 9 Large Nerite and 7 Small to medium Nerites Does that sound right or is that an overload on snails?