Calling all Newbies to the Hobby!

[Joeganja]

Now Reef2Reef Welcomes all newcomers to the hobby! I'd like to just let anyone know if they need some advice or have questions about anything from fish to coral to tank equipment and water chemistry. I've been in this hobby for about 8 years and there are others who have been in this hobby far longer than I have but I'd like to come out and say that if you guys have any questions or need help starting a tank or anything feel free to message me (PM) or comment below and I will be glad to help to the best of my ability and knowledge

 

[coreyisag]

When should I start to test Ca KH Mg? Tanks been running for almost 2 months.

 

[megisawesome06]

Ugh. I tried testing for Mg twice yesterday and screwed the test up both times. So confusing!

 

[Trex]

When should I start to test Ca KH Mg? Tanks been running for almost 2 months.

What do you have in the tank, coral wise?
Live rock or dry rock?

I would start now, to give you an idea of where you are at this moment. As for frequency after that, would depend on what you have in the tank that would use those up, what salt you use, and how frequently you do water changes (( and how large )).

 

[Trex]

Ugh. I tried testing for Mg twice yesterday and screwed the test up both times. So confusing!

What test kit are you using?

 

[coreyisag]

I have a 20 gallon AIO, it had 18 lbs of live rock....a torch a duncan a couple of war favia frags, a couple of zoa frags, bloasto, and a green lobo or acan frag

 

[beaslbob]

When should I start to test Ca KH Mg? Tanks been running for almost 2 months.

I agree you should start now.
review this article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
If you tank is not using much calcium then the only thing is you will have to dose less. As it uses more calcium it the dosing will increase accordingly.
my .02

 

[Joeganja]

When should I start to test Ca KH Mg? Tanks been running for almost 2 months.

Do you have coral in it? Or are you adding reef salt?

 

[Joeganja]

I have a 20 gallon AIO, it had 18 lbs of live rock....a torch a duncan a couple of war favia frags, a couple of zoa frags, bloasto, and a green lobo or acan frag

Is everything growing well? What kind of salt are you using? Is it reef salt? Do you do weekly water changes? Do you have algae growing?

 

[coreyisag]

Yes growing well, new head on torch and I also see a new head coming through on the blasto...they've only been in my tank and under my light for a month so they still maybe adjusting to everything....and I'm using coral reef salt pro7

 

[coreyisag]

I was doing weekly water chages, but I added a skimmer and my water was too clean so I've cut back..and do wc every 2 weeks now

 

[Joeganja]

I was doing weekly water chages, but I added a skimmer and my water was too clean so I've cut back..and do wc every 2 weeks now

Sounds like everything is doing great. Would love to see some pics. And I use the Hannah calcium checker because it's very simple to use and very accurate. As for magnesium I have no point in checking it because I don't have that much algae and I always do water changes.

 

[Joeganja]

Do you have coral in it? Or are you adding reef salt?

And I've never checked KH not something I really worry about you know?

 

[megisawesome06]

I used the Red Sea test kit I believe? It was confusing and I did it twice. I want to do a water change, but don't know how.

But I just got my magnetic cleaner thing and am going to clean some glass!

 

[Joeganja]

I used the Red Sea test kit I believe? It was confusing and I did it twice. I want to do a water change, but don't know how.

But I just got my magnetic cleaner thing and am going to clean some glass!

You don't know how to do a water change? have you ever done one?

 

[megisawesome06]

We've only had it for a week. Long enough to need one tho. [emoji51]

 

[Joeganja]

We've only had it for a week. Long enough to need one tho. [emoji51]

Oh lol. Makes sense. Well u usually do about 15-20% water change once in every two weeks or a 10% once a week.

 

[Jerad53]

Here's a noob question, I'm wondering why people use both a heater and a chiller on nano's with L.e.d.s?

 

[Joeganja]

Because once the heater gets it up to a level and then then house is so hot that it brings the temperature even higher than intended the chillier kicks in and cool it back down. does that make sens?

 

[Jerad53]

Makes sense but don't heaters kick on and off depending on the temperature you preset...I can't imagine living in a house that's over 80 degrees lol but I'm also in Wisconsin