Reds first sw tank - Page 4

Reddog170 · 11-29-2008, 11:21 PM

the 530gph model sold on ebay

BLAKEJOHN · 11-29-2008, 11:42 PM

I'm not familiar with that skimmer. But how do you adjust the water level in the skimmer? It looks like there is no adjustment. If that is the case then the pump may be to big for the skimmer to handle causing the water level in the skimmer to be too high.

BLAKEJOHN · 11-29-2008, 11:51 PM

You should be able to glue the tube to the pump without any problems. The pump should come apart enough to still clean it. As far as it overflowing; is the adjustment bubble open all the way or is it maybe blocked or pluged up? I think this is a poor design for water level adjustment.

Reddog170 · 11-29-2008, 11:57 PM

The overall thing is a poor desighn. You adjust the flow into the skimmer with a little half valve that when turned down shuts the air off and the level is set by the highth that the skimmer is at in the tank. I also forgot to mention that it will also blow the entire cup off from time to time, it just sits on top with no way to lock in on. Guess I can only blame myself I was told not to skimp on a skimmer, well I did not listen. Lesson: how not to skim, LOL
Have already found another skimmer from another reefer that had a DIY skimmer he was not using. Did get to see it run before agreeing to buy it.

BLAKEJOHN · 11-30-2008, 12:23 AM

its good to here that your getting another one.

Dentoid · 11-30-2008, 12:30 AM

Now it makes a little more sense after reading through your chronicle. I chimed in on your "What test kits" thread, just some babble about methods instead of specific test kits. Anyway, being new to the saltwater hobby and having a new tank, it's understandable that chemistry and test kits are daunting to you. As you progress in the hobby, you will become one with your reef and testing, when to test and what tests to run will be come second nature. In the meantime, keep asking questions. All the best!

Reddog170 · 12-01-2008, 10:35 PM

Well I have found someone to take my damsels and my chromis. I am looking for somewhere to take my brittle star and clown and coral banded shrimp to host for a bit. Once all the fish are out then I will scavange the rocks, sump filters and anywhere else that I can to find my source of ammonia. It has to be there somewhere. If I miss a water change one day then my levels are off the charts.
Once the source is found then I will cycly the whole tank again and get things right. I have made many rookie mistakes but fortunately will not kill anything and am able to take a step back and do it right.
Sometime to fix a problem you first have to admit you made a mistake. My bet is this, I had 2 emerald crabs but have only seen one for several weeks so I am willing to say the other one climbed into a rock and died therefore causing an ammonia spike and mabey even starting up another cycle. I know that I keep changing my plan to get this tank going but afterall life does not take a direct course does it? If it did then what would be the fun if you always knew what the next thing to happen was?
I am not getting discouraged just more persistant. Will fill in more later, Shaun

Reddog170 · 12-04-2008, 10:27 PM

All livestock gone. I have put a deli shrimp in and will let it rot and get a good cycle going. Am considering this to be day 1 again. Still have a coral banded shrimp in the tank right now but he will not be in there much longer. Should be ok for a few days.
I know that I did not do everything wrong just a few things, mainly I put stuff in to early. The person that took my fish and frags offered to give me some frags when my tank is ready for them. He has some blue polys and birds nest that are ready to frag now that he will set off to the side for me. Will birdsnest do OK under T5 lighting? I figure I got at least a month to figure out just what I want in the tank and how to take care of it. I know I want corals first. Then a couple fish, adding them ONE at a time.

yungreefer2410 · 12-04-2008, 11:22 PM

how maqny t5 bulbs do you have?

Reddog170 · 12-04-2008, 11:29 PM

My T5 setup is a 4x54watt 2 full spectrum 2 actinic

BLAKEJOHN · 12-05-2008, 02:58 AM

The birds nest will be just fine if you put it in the upper 1/3rd of the tank

Reddog170 · 12-06-2008, 12:16 AM

Well I am now very happy that i got the livestock out when I did. I think my heater bit the dust. Got home from work tonight and the temp in the tank is 68 imediatly checked the heater and checked to see if it had come unplugged. It was plugged in but it was not even warm. I turned it up will see what happens now. as for tonights tests:
nitrites 0.0
nitrate 5 to 10
ph 8.7
ammonia 1.7
SG 1.026
Judging from the ammonia starting up like that, which is the highest I can remember seeing it, I would say that the cycle is thinking about taking off. I am concerned about the heater though. I have been watching the temp close and not seen any real variation so could it have just quit all of a sudden? Why now? Just luck? Have to work all weekend so will not be able to do much until monday but I have a friend that is still big into freshwater and always has extra stuff laying around, man to be single with a six figure income, I am sure he will help out. Everything else is good though.

Reddog170 · 12-09-2008, 01:13 AM

Well my ammonia is at about 2.0 my nitrates are at 10 my nitrites are still 0 and my PH is 8.7 I am sure that it is going to take off soon. But what I want to know is simple. When everything is good to go and it is ready for stuff I want to go with corals first. I was thinking about polyps but there is a HUGE variaty and I really like the hammer corals and frogspawn. I want color and good tank health. After my dog I have had my fill of death for about hmmm the rest of my life. What would YOU put in a fresh tank? (when its is ready of course, I have plenty of time)

Varga · 12-09-2008, 04:16 AM

coming along nicely. first corals: colt coral, kenya tree, mushrooms, leathers.....

Reddog170 · 12-11-2008, 12:30 AM

Well the levels still about the same. But some things I am noticing are, I have a garden? growing on one side of my tank. I am not kidding, There is some algae, some feather dusters and what appears to be even some macro growing there. I have feather dusters all over the place. This is kinda cool just watching my tank and seeing all this stuff growing in there. There is also this red algae that seems to "peel" away after a day or so then grows again and "peels" away again. Added some dry rock and now it is getting furry, think that is a good thing. I am planning to wait til at least 8 weeks before doing anything more than weekly water changes ant tests. I would like to find a good book on corals and read up. Will see what I can find this weekend. Also, why do I get three different readings with three different hydrometers? Not just a little either, one says 1.026 next one 1.030 next one 1.019. Which one do I trust, they are all less then three months old and all Coral life?

11-29-2008, 11:21 PM	#46 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank the 530gph model sold on ebay

11-29-2008, 11:42 PM	#47 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reds first sw tank I'm not familiar with that skimmer. But how do you adjust the water level in the skimmer? It looks like there is no adjustment. If that is the case then the pump may be to big for the skimmer to handle causing the water level in the skimmer to be too high. __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

11-29-2008, 11:51 PM	#48 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reds first sw tank You should be able to glue the tube to the pump without any problems. The pump should come apart enough to still clean it. As far as it overflowing; is the adjustment bubble open all the way or is it maybe blocked or pluged up? I think this is a poor design for water level adjustment. __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

11-29-2008, 11:57 PM	#49 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank The overall thing is a poor desighn. You adjust the flow into the skimmer with a little half valve that when turned down shuts the air off and the level is set by the highth that the skimmer is at in the tank. I also forgot to mention that it will also blow the entire cup off from time to time, it just sits on top with no way to lock in on. Guess I can only blame myself I was told not to skimp on a skimmer, well I did not listen. Lesson: how not to skim, LOL Have already found another skimmer from another reefer that had a DIY skimmer he was not using. Did get to see it run before agreeing to buy it.

11-30-2008, 12:23 AM	#50 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reds first sw tank its good to here that your getting another one. __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

12-01-2008, 10:35 PM	#52 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank Well I have found someone to take my damsels and my chromis. I am looking for somewhere to take my brittle star and clown and coral banded shrimp to host for a bit. Once all the fish are out then I will scavange the rocks, sump filters and anywhere else that I can to find my source of ammonia. It has to be there somewhere. If I miss a water change one day then my levels are off the charts. Once the source is found then I will cycly the whole tank again and get things right. I have made many rookie mistakes but fortunately will not kill anything and am able to take a step back and do it right. Sometime to fix a problem you first have to admit you made a mistake. My bet is this, I had 2 emerald crabs but have only seen one for several weeks so I am willing to say the other one climbed into a rock and died therefore causing an ammonia spike and mabey even starting up another cycle. I know that I keep changing my plan to get this tank going but afterall life does not take a direct course does it? If it did then what would be the fun if you always knew what the next thing to happen was? I am not getting discouraged just more persistant. Will fill in more later, Shaun

12-04-2008, 10:27 PM	#53 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank All livestock gone. I have put a deli shrimp in and will let it rot and get a good cycle going. Am considering this to be day 1 again. Still have a coral banded shrimp in the tank right now but he will not be in there much longer. Should be ok for a few days. I know that I did not do everything wrong just a few things, mainly I put stuff in to early. The person that took my fish and frags offered to give me some frags when my tank is ready for them. He has some blue polys and birds nest that are ready to frag now that he will set off to the side for me. Will birdsnest do OK under T5 lighting? I figure I got at least a month to figure out just what I want in the tank and how to take care of it. I know I want corals first. Then a couple fish, adding them ONE at a time.

12-04-2008, 11:29 PM	#55 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank My T5 setup is a 4x54watt 2 full spectrum 2 actinic

12-05-2008, 02:58 AM	#56 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Reds first sw tank The birds nest will be just fine if you put it in the upper 1/3rd of the tank __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

12-06-2008, 12:16 AM	#57 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank Well I am now very happy that i got the livestock out when I did. I think my heater bit the dust. Got home from work tonight and the temp in the tank is 68 imediatly checked the heater and checked to see if it had come unplugged. It was plugged in but it was not even warm. I turned it up will see what happens now. as for tonights tests: nitrites 0.0 nitrate 5 to 10 ph 8.7 ammonia 1.7 SG 1.026 Judging from the ammonia starting up like that, which is the highest I can remember seeing it, I would say that the cycle is thinking about taking off. I am concerned about the heater though. I have been watching the temp close and not seen any real variation so could it have just quit all of a sudden? Why now? Just luck? Have to work all weekend so will not be able to do much until monday but I have a friend that is still big into freshwater and always has extra stuff laying around, man to be single with a six figure income, I am sure he will help out. Everything else is good though.

12-09-2008, 01:13 AM	#58 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank Well my ammonia is at about 2.0 my nitrates are at 10 my nitrites are still 0 and my PH is 8.7 I am sure that it is going to take off soon. But what I want to know is simple. When everything is good to go and it is ready for stuff I want to go with corals first. I was thinking about polyps but there is a HUGE variaty and I really like the hammer corals and frogspawn. I want color and good tank health. After my dog I have had my fill of death for about hmmm the rest of my life. What would YOU put in a fresh tank? (when its is ready of course, I have plenty of time) __________________ We are defined by the choices in whitch we make. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...t-sw-tank.html Moved to 100 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ing-100-a.html VISIT MY CLUB SITE: www.iowareefs.com Ask me about Iowa reef events!

12-09-2008, 04:16 AM	#59 (permalink)
Varga Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,355 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank coming along nicely. first corals: colt coral, kenya tree, mushrooms, leathers..... __________________ Varga's Cube http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...on-cube-5.html

12-11-2008, 12:30 AM	#60 (permalink)
Reddog170 Achilles Tang Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 877 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Reds first sw tank Well the levels still about the same. But some things I am noticing are, I have a garden? growing on one side of my tank. I am not kidding, There is some algae, some feather dusters and what appears to be even some macro growing there. I have feather dusters all over the place. This is kinda cool just watching my tank and seeing all this stuff growing in there. There is also this red algae that seems to "peel" away after a day or so then grows again and "peels" away again. Added some dry rock and now it is getting furry, think that is a good thing. I am planning to wait til at least 8 weeks before doing anything more than weekly water changes ant tests. I would like to find a good book on corals and read up. Will see what I can find this weekend. Also, why do I get three different readings with three different hydrometers? Not just a little either, one says 1.026 next one 1.030 next one 1.019. Which one do I trust, they are all less then three months old and all Coral life? __________________ We are defined by the choices in whitch we make. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...t-sw-tank.html Moved to 100 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ing-100-a.html VISIT MY CLUB SITE: www.iowareefs.com Ask me about Iowa reef events!

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