New to saltwater and reef tanks

Carlo Minotti · 08-08-2007, 04:06 PM

Hello everybody,
I received a 12Gal. Nano-cube DX as a gift and was terrified about maintaining a saltwater tank. My first experience was in the late 70's when I was a kid and things were not as advanced.
I now have the tank set up (April 07) and do water changes (3gal.) weekly (Kent marine salt). I have a Polyp Coral pack from (Doctors Foster and Smith) with a Mushroom pack as well. I have 3 Peppermint shrimp, one Emerald crab (to eat the Bubble algae and Green hair algae) I have a Turbo snail and a conch. I have a blenny (1\2 inch) from the Jetties in Galveston. I have live sand, two live rocks and I use RO water for changes. I mix the salt in a bucket with a power head overnight. I have done no modifications to the tank and I am using everything that came with the set up but the charcoal. I test weekly (Saltwater masters Liquid test kit) and only seem to have a chronic Low PH problem and have been using Pro-Buffer DKH to deal with that. I am using Purple up, Coral Vital and Zooplex as prescribed by the containers. I have the timer for the light on for 7 hrs a day. I am feeding the Shrimp and Blenny Mysis shrimp.

I was wondering about adding a Protein skimmer (Safire aquatics has one for $109 that fits into a 12gal. Nano) and a sump.
Any help you can offer would be great.

Dentoid · 08-08-2007, 04:13 PM

Carlo, Welcome to the Sanctuary.

blue_eyes53813 · 08-08-2007, 04:18 PM

Hello welcome to RS

Cassette87 · 08-08-2007, 04:23 PM

Welcome to RS! any pictures of your setup? A skimmer will definitley help your bio-capacity

Dentoid · 08-08-2007, 04:23 PM

Carlo, that Sapphire skimmer looks similar in design to the Aqua Remora C. In that, I mena it looks like a down draft style skimmer. It should do the job and the price is surely right. You don't have a very big bio-load with one blenny, but you will want to add skimmer.

goldenmean · 08-08-2007, 04:26 PM

Howdy Hooo!
Welcome to RS!

AQTCJAK · 08-08-2007, 04:42 PM

Welcome aboard

08-08-2007, 04:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Carlo Minotti Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	New to saltwater and reef tanks Hello everybody, I received a 12Gal. Nano-cube DX as a gift and was terrified about maintaining a saltwater tank. My first experience was in the late 70's when I was a kid and things were not as advanced. I now have the tank set up (April 07) and do water changes (3gal.) weekly (Kent marine salt). I have a Polyp Coral pack from (Doctors Foster and Smith) with a Mushroom pack as well. I have 3 Peppermint shrimp, one Emerald crab (to eat the Bubble algae and Green hair algae) I have a Turbo snail and a conch. I have a blenny (1\2 inch) from the Jetties in Galveston. I have live sand, two live rocks and I use RO water for changes. I mix the salt in a bucket with a power head overnight. I have done no modifications to the tank and I am using everything that came with the set up but the charcoal. I test weekly (Saltwater masters Liquid test kit) and only seem to have a chronic Low PH problem and have been using Pro-Buffer DKH to deal with that. I am using Purple up, Coral Vital and Zooplex as prescribed by the containers. I have the timer for the light on for 7 hrs a day. I am feeding the Shrimp and Blenny Mysis shrimp. I was wondering about adding a Protein skimmer (Safire aquatics has one for $109 that fits into a 12gal. Nano) and a sump. Any help you can offer would be great.

08-08-2007, 04:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dentoid Smile Maker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 11,214 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to saltwater and reef tanks Carlo, Welcome to the Sanctuary. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-08-2007, 04:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 7,544 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater and reef tanks Hello welcome to RS __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

08-08-2007, 04:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cassette87 Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Palos Park, IL Posts: 1,421 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater and reef tanks Welcome to RS! any pictures of your setup? A skimmer will definitley help your bio-capacity __________________ Andy My 29 Gallon Reef! My DIY LED Lights Current Status - Work followed by School :Java: - 9/8/08 I'm still around people, just on a sort of "summer-time leave" Feel free to PM or e-mail me for any needs!

08-08-2007, 04:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dentoid Smile Maker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 11,214 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to saltwater and reef tanks Carlo, that Sapphire skimmer looks similar in design to the Aqua Remora C. In that, I mena it looks like a down draft style skimmer. It should do the job and the price is surely right. You don't have a very big bio-load with one blenny, but you will want to add skimmer. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-08-2007, 04:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,389 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater and reef tanks Howdy Hooo! Welcome to RS! __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My 2nd QT-Picasso Clowns My 2nd-QT-Wrasse My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

08-08-2007, 04:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,262 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater and reef tanks Welcome aboard __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

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