Beginner reef question

[mrcoffee2]

Hey Guys,

I am a newb to this hobby, so please pardon my ignorance. My tank has been in cycle for about 2 months (8G nano).

I do 20% water changes twice a week.

I have purchased the API master saltwater kit and my levels are

0 ammonia
0 nitrite
8.0-8.2 high PH
and my nitrates hover around 10-20

The water I add is RODI water.

I have also just purchased the API reef master kit but I have yet to test my levels.

Anyways, I need to start adding chemicals for my corals and I was curious if you guys could tell me what you add for your reef/corals? I really am new so please feel free to break it down for me.

Thanks again for your feedback you guys have been a huge help so far.

 

[mike007]

Depends on what type corals you are keeping. The most 3 important things are calcium, alkalinty, and magnesium. There lots of 2 part dosing supplements out there which will make it easier for you to dose. Tou wll need to test each of these and dose accordingly. Also do not overfeed tank and get them nitrates down a bit.

 

[mrcoffee2]

Is there a good way to get the nitrates down besides water changes?

 

[RalphsReef]

If your bioload is not high, you might be able to get away without dosing. If you are using a good salt mix, your water changes will replenish what your corals use. When/if you get to the point that you have a lot of coral, you will likely have to dose Ca/Alk/Mag. But make sure, as said above, that you test for them.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Do you run a skimmer and what do you have for flow. With two 20% WC's a week you should not have that much Nitrates present. With more flow you may be able to keep food/detritus suspended long enough to be removed by media and or skimmer.

Cheers, Todd

 

[mrcoffee2]

Ralph I think my bioload might be hitting max. I have:

2 as snails
2 nass snails
4 hermits
1 YWG
1 Tiger pistol
1 pom pom crab

2 zoas
1 brain coral
1 small torch coral
2 small hidden cup corals

 

[mrcoffee2]

Tj,

I do not have a skimmer. The guys at the LPS store said that I would not benefit with one with only 8 gallons. I am running the stock innovative marine 8G nano cube

 

[RalphsReef]

The snails and crabs will help keep the tank clean (if you are feeding the tank). That in itself helps to keep your nitrates down by not having uneaten food laying around and decaying. Are you feeding the tank? While I would say choose carefully what other livestock (as far as any possible fish due to space constraints) you add to the 8G, you have plenty of room for more coral in terms of maxing out your bioload. Also keep in mind that the corals will grow, so you will eventually either frag them or go with a larger setup (don't feel bad, we all upgrade sooner or later). I was just thinking about your 20% water changes 2X a week. That is indeed dedication, but to me seems to be too much. I'd do 5-10% a week, unless there is some type of situation requiring more. Your nitrates will subside. Believe it or not, nitrate in acceptable amounts, is not that bad in the grand scheme of reefing.

 

[mrcoffee2]

Ralph,

I am them feeding rods food ( a sliver ) in the morning at 7AM, and ( a sliver ) at 7PM mixed with a couple pellets because my nass snails seem to love them. As far as adding live stock the only thing I was thinking of adding was an aiptasia eating peppermint shrimp. My LPS has yet to sell me an aiptasia free coral / LR and I have been looking to natural alternatives to removing it. As for a larger tank, my wife and and I have our eyes set on the 38g from innovative this Christmas . The reason I do the 20% twice a week is because of the nitrates I cant seem to get them down. Now, I have not changed anything in my filter... Do you think that could be what is contributing to the nitrate problems?

 

[RalphsReef]

I feel that you are slightly overfeeding. For just corals and a cleaner crew, I'd feed every other day. Especially if you are broadcast feeding versus target feeding. When you say you have not changed your filter, are you referring to a bio-wheel filter, or some sort of filter media? The media , if unchanged, could collect gunk which would increase the likelihood of nitrates. As far as the aiptasia, you can go with the peppermint shrimp. I have some myself. I also like to use kalk paste. Works like a charm on aiptasia.

 

[mrcoffee2]

Ralph,

I think you are right on the over feeding. Is a Yellow watchman goby and Tiger pistol shrimp considered part of the CUC? The reason I feed twice a day is because the LPS tells me that fish are use to eating throughout the day as opposed to once a day. About the filter, to be honest I do not know what you are talking about so I snapped a picture of mine. Sorry about it being sideways

 

[RalphsReef]

Fish are not typically considered part of the CUC (clean up crew), although some are just as good as vacuums. Crabs, snails, shrimp, starfish, and the like are what most reefers call a CUC. That said, a watchman goby and pistol shrimp are great considerations for a 8G nano tank. Theoretically, you can feed twice a day. The catch is that you don't want many leftovers getting by the fish and into your live rock. Especially twice a day. I feed my tank 2-3 times a day, however once is a nori seaweed sheet for my tangs and foxface. The other two are a pinch of pellets or PE mysis shrimp cubes. I have a lot of fish, and they are pigs. LOL. As far as your filter, it does look a tad gummed up. I have never used that type, so I can not be 100% certain, though. If that's a sponge in the section above the rock, I'd use discarded saltwater the next time you do a water change, and squeeze it out in there to free it of some of the gunk. Rinse it with some other discarded water and put it back in. That should help quite a bit.

 

[mrcoffee2]

Ralph,

Excellent advice, I will do this tonight when I get home.

Could you tell me what products you use for cal/alk/mag?

 

[RalphsReef]

I use products I buy in bulk from a reef supply company. I am not sure if they are sponsors here, so I will not say there name even though I basically just did. Feel free to PM me for further info. The products are very affordable, and go a long way.

Edit: I just checked, and "Bulk Reef Supply" is a sponsor. I'd hit them up. They are having a Black Friday sale, too. 15% off most everything they have.