Reef Sanctuary - Just starting out (SW Beginners) http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums New to the salt water hobby? Post your questions here. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:05:10 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Reef Sanctuary - Just starting out (SW Beginners) http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums Considering pH meter, but which one? http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52624-considering-ph-meter-but-one.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:44:30 GMT Hey all,

I'm considering buying a digital pH meter/monitor but I'm not sure which one to buy and if it is a good thing at all...
I've come upon the following website that was adviced somewhere on this forum:
Aquarium Controllers & Monitors for pH, mV (ORP) and Temperature | Marine Depot

Anybody got experience with any of them? If so, what would you advice (not too pricey though:) )

thanks ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) El Duderinho http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52624-considering-ph-meter-but-one.html Brown sand http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52609-brown-sand.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:52:53 GMT Day 11 Sand is turning brown. Algae growing on the rocks. Is this normal? I dont have a test kit yet and the pet store that test my water is closed today. Day 11 Sand is turning brown. Algae growing on the rocks. Is this normal? I dont have a test kit yet and the pet store that test my water is closed today. ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) dawhat http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52609-brown-sand.html Solana Filtration Question http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52589-solana-filtration-question.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:21:48 GMT I posted this in the nano forum but maybe the beginner is a better forum for this.

I have removed all of the bio-ball bags from the rear middle chamber of my Solana. I did this over the course of a few water changes. I only have 2 fish and a good amount of LR so I am not worried that removing them ( th bio-balls ) will remove a large percentage of my biological filtration.

I placed a chemi-pure elite bag flat on the bottom of the chamber, above the bottom plate of course. I placed a small bag of purigen on top of that. I then placed a piece of filter floss on top of that. On the top of the top plate I placed a piece of the blue bonded filter pad material that I got from Drs. Foster & Smith.

Is this the correct placement? The water flow seems slower but I am keeping an eye on it. Over the last couple of days the level in the center chamber is a little less than 1/4" high but is not increasing. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I also have a few pumps for general water movement.

Thanks! ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) johnvic http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52589-solana-filtration-question.html Curing live rock w/c or no w/c? http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52578-curing-live-rock-w-c-no-w-c.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:16:56 GMT I am a bit confused as to curing my 50 lbs. of live rock. I have the 30 gallon tub, heater, 2 ph's. My question is should I be doing water changes during the curing process? I read that if ammonia levels reach 1, I should immediately do a w/c. So far(in one day) I've changed about 20 gallons just to get the levels below that. Some say once a week change 100%.... ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) chris1121 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52578-curing-live-rock-w-c-no-w-c.html shoulld I still add the deli shrimp? http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52577-shoulld-i-still-add-deli-shrimp.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:02:29 GMT So this is my cycle so far.... I started 2 november, and added the live rock on 13 nov. Would you advice to wait it out, or still add the deli shrimp. It is that I would have expected a Higher NH4-spike.... So this is my cycle so far....
I started 2 november, and added the live rock on 13 nov.
Would you advice to wait it out, or still add the deli shrimp.

It is that I would have expected a Higher NH4-spike....
Attached Images
File Type: jpg ammonium nitrites.jpg (25.9 KB)
]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) El Duderinho http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52577-shoulld-i-still-add-deli-shrimp.html quarantine tank http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52552-quarantine-tank.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:08:09 GMT Okay, I'm now going to start getting serious about a quarantine tank. I have not gotten anything new in my tank since I got it (except for a cleaner shrimp that was given to me out of a friend's tank and an expanded CUC). All the corals and other inverts came with the tank I bought. I don't plan on getting anything until after Christmas at the earliest. So it seems to be the perfect time to set up a QT.

I've read the QT thread in the fish section and understand it pretty well. My only question is that I know you should quarantine corals also to prevent things like pox. Can I use the same tank? Obviously, I wouldn't be quarantining corals and fish at the same time in case one or the other has to be treated with meds. I know the recommendation for a QT for fish has only minimal lighting, but a coral would require more lighting and possibly more flow too. A coral could go without adequate lighting for a few days but not six weeks. I guess for the flow issue, I could just add a nano powerhead when quarantining corals and remove it when quarantining fish. My main concern is the lighting issue. What is the minimum lighting for a QT for corals? I plan on setting up a 10 gallon QT so something that would support corals in that small a system. I have MHs in my main tank but those are way to strong for a 10 gallon. I would like a cost effective light for a 10 gallon QT since it will only be use now and again. Thanks for any input! ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) Cloudburst2000 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52552-quarantine-tank.html What is it? http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52534-what.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:32:10 GMT Help. I'm new to this. The wife and I picked up 26 lbs of live rock and one of them had this on it.



]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) dawhat http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52534-what.html I seriously have issues with Red Sea pH tester!!! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52523-i-seriously-have-issues-red-sea-ph-tester.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:22:25 GMT So I'm using the Red sea pH test kit. There's four different shades of purple between 8.0 and 8.6 and I honestly can't always tell which one it is. What is more, differences in the lighting in the room seems to alter the kind of purple in the vial, so does the background behind the vial, so I officially hate the RS pH tester.

So, which alternative pH tester would you guys advice? Seachem? salifert? ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) El Duderinho http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52523-i-seriously-have-issues-red-sea-ph-tester.html mixing different sands http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52514-mixing-different-sands.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:06:10 GMT i am wondering if it is okay to get a mix of CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef and CaribSea Aragamax Oolitic? or better off to stick to one type? i am thinking about getting a Diamond Goby, what kind of sand would be best for them? also how many inches is best too? i am wondering if it is okay to get a mix of CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef and CaribSea Aragamax Oolitic? or better off to stick to one type?

i am thinking about getting a Diamond Goby, what kind of sand would be best for them? also how many inches is best too? ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) Nigma http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52514-mixing-different-sands.html Hello and Biocube question http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52486-hello-biocube-question.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:06:51 GMT Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and this is my first post. I have a chance to get a biocube 14 with live rock and one clown fish - this is through a local add - the owner has had a tank for about a year now, and is downsizing. Since I have never had a saltwater tank before (did have a few freshwater ones), I have a few questions. The tank and the fish seem in a good shape, but there is some green algae and some coralline on the glass (and more coralline on the live rock and back of the tank) - are these hard to clean, do you just scrape them off or is there some other procedure involved? Should I be concerned about the coralline algae? Is there anything needed to do to minimize their growth if that is necessary. I plan on keeping the tank as is for some time, than I would like to add some hardy corals and perhaps another (just one more) clown fish - is that a good idea? Any other suggestions, hints, tips or advice? I alvays wanted a reef and would really like to have one, and getting a fairly estalished one seems like a good idea... Thanks in advance...:) Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and this is my first post.
I have a chance to get a biocube 14 with live rock and one clown fish - this is through a local add - the owner has had a tank for about a year now, and is downsizing. Since I have never had a saltwater tank before (did have a few freshwater ones), I have a few questions.
The tank and the fish seem in a good shape, but there is some green algae and some coralline on the glass (and more coralline on the live rock and back of the tank) - are these hard to clean, do you just scrape them off or is there some other procedure involved?
Should I be concerned about the coralline algae? Is there anything needed to do to minimize their growth if that is necessary.
I plan on keeping the tank as is for some time, than I would like to add some hardy corals and perhaps another (just one more) clown fish - is that a good idea?
Any other suggestions, hints, tips or advice? I alvays wanted a reef and would really like to have one, and getting a fairly estalished one seems like a good idea...
Thanks in advance...:) ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) seahorse http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52486-hello-biocube-question.html 55g to 75g http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52434-55g-75g.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:43:15 GMT i was thinking about switching my 75g freshwater tank and my 55g saltwater reef tank. what are the preperations i should take in the switch? will i be able to use the same sand? or should i buy new sand? i also have a question about lighting. should my t5ho be enough light for the 75g? the reason i want to switch is i am having a problem with evaporation in my 55g tank. i have to add water every day and it is kinda getting old. any advise? i was thinking about switching my 75g freshwater tank and my 55g saltwater reef tank. what are the preperations i should take in the switch? will i be able to use the same sand? or should i buy new sand? i also have a question about lighting. should my t5ho be enough light for the 75g? the reason i want to switch is i am having a problem with evaporation in my 55g tank. i have to add water every day and it is kinda getting old. any advise? ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) kylemidland21 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52434-55g-75g.html Can dead rock become live rock http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52422-can-dead-rock-become-live-rock.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:13:25 GMT Hey, maybe a stupid question, but I have a 66 gallon aquarium (RSM250), so I placed about 60 lbs dead, white porous rock and 22 lbs of live rock in it. Overtime, will the dead rock become live rock as well? Is it, considering the filter system of the RSM 250, enough live rock? Thanks!! Hey,

maybe a stupid question, but I have a 66 gallon aquarium (RSM250), so I placed about 60 lbs dead, white porous rock and 22 lbs of live rock in it. Overtime, will the dead rock become live rock as well? Is it, considering the filter system of the RSM 250, enough live rock?

Thanks!! ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) El Duderinho http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52422-can-dead-rock-become-live-rock.html Banded Coral Shrimp http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52402-banded-coral-shrimp.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:17:22 GMT Is it true to assume they are aggressive towards reef fish? I seem to have mine munch on my Cromis alot. Thx. Is it true to assume they are aggressive towards reef fish?

I seem to have mine munch on my Cromis alot.

Thx. ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) Mad Marik http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52402-banded-coral-shrimp.html Biocube fuge? http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52335-biocube-fuge.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:03:26 GMT So im down to waiting on the last bit of parts to come in for my Biocube setup so I cant start doing some work (got like 3 packages from 3 different places all coming FedEx lol, maybe i should leave out milk and cookies :P) And I started looking up more info on running a fuge for macro algaes and such. I was looking in particular at this model:

Reef Aquarium Filtration: AquaFuge External Hang-On Refugium

From the looks of the way it mounts im thinking I could cut pathing in the hood of the Biocube 29 to allow the inlet and out put reach the first and third chambers (im assuming that would be the best place as Ill have a skimmer in the 2nd?) Has anyone tried this or have worked with that particular model HOB before? Just wanted a little extra affirmation as to if that would work the way I think it would before I drop another charge on my CCard \^^/

Also, provided that the above would work, Im assuming I should set that up at the same time as the rest of the tank and let them cycle together? One other thing, Ive seen that a lot of people use 4-6k lights mostly to propigate the macroalgae, can you also use the area for propagation of small corals? (softies, zoas, ect) and would a 50/50 10k/ atenic work well for it as a light source as it only holds approx 4.5 gallons?

Many Thanks! :D ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) Shadablade http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52335-biocube-fuge.html Ecosystem Aquarium Eco Calcium help http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52295-ecosystem-aquarium-eco-calcium-help.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:07:31 GMT I would like to know how to use the Ecosystem Aquarium Eco Calcium part a,b,c,. Since I now have the clam in the tank. I read the directions and still am not quite sure, I understand it so can someone explain it to me in small terms if you know what I mean. In addition, I read something about this being called balling what does that mean. Thanks ahead of time for the help I would like to know how to use the Ecosystem Aquarium Eco Calcium part a,b,c,. Since I now have the clam in the tank. I read the directions and still am not quite sure, I understand it so can someone explain it to me in small terms if you know what I mean. In addition, I read something about this being called balling what does that mean. Thanks ahead of time for the help ]]> Just starting out (SW Beginners) sheren http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners/52295-ecosystem-aquarium-eco-calcium-help.html