First Tank Failure

[soymilk]

consider finding a local reef keeping club and try to find a local mentor. Its a lot easier gaining experience the easy way instead of finding out the hard way.

 

[blaxsun]

The plus side is that the tank appears to have at least been cycled, and you didn't lose any fish (at least I think you didn't) - so it's just a question of getting your parameters in-line and stable, adding a small CUC and then finding a few soft corals to start with down the road.

 

[John.Thompson]

Something is not right. The Alk number is way low.

What salt mix are you using, or where are you getting saltwater?

Getting pre-mixed from my local WWC(World Wide Coral). Very reputable. It’s Instant Ocean mix.

 

[blaxsun]

Getting pre-mixed from my local WWC(World Wide Coral). Very reputable. It’s Instant Ocean mix.

Get the test kits so you can test those parameters and let us know. Alkalinity, salinity, pH, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and phosphate.

 

[John.Thompson]

Yeah let's get that alkalinity rechecked and in DKH.

Kind of lights and what schedule are you using?

Will do. Just the standard “reef light” that came with the tank. I was thinking about getting a nice one. On for about 5 hours in the evening with small amounts of daylight during the day.

 

[John.Thompson]

The plus side is that the tank appears to have at least been cycled, and you didn't lose any fish (at least I think you didn't) - so it's just a question of getting your parameters in-line and stable, adding a small CUC and then finding a few soft corals to start with down the road.

Luckily no fish in that tank. Will do. I’ll hope the hardier corals I have will pull through as indication of a healthy tank.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Getting pre-mixed from my local WWC(World Wide Coral). Very reputable. It’s Instant Ocean mix.

Take a water sample and get them to test it. Then post the results.

There are Lot's of folks here willing to help

 

[John.Thompson]

I would invest in a decent test kit. Something like the Red Sea Marine + Magnesium and Calcium, or the specific Salifert test kits (you can skip ammonia and nitrite).

What @soymilk (and others) mean is that your alkalinity appears really low. Like below the minimum requirement low. 50ppm is around 2.75 dKH. Even 120ppm is only 6.7 dKH (below the minimum).

Thank you. I understand.

 

[John.Thompson]

I'm used to seeing alkalinity displayed in dKH. Its just a different way of measurement.

with that being said. You said your alk was 50 ppm. This number is way off. You should be at 130-200 ppm.

what test kit are you using to check alk?

Just a recommended brand from the store and or common retail places like petsmart.

 

[blaxsun]

Here's a handy alkalinity calculator you can use:

Alkalinity Conversion Calculator

Aquarium calculator; Convert alkalinity between milliequivalents-per-liter (meq/L, meql), carbonate hardness (dKH, KH), and parts-per-million (ppm).

www.hamzasreef.com

When you have a chance, please post some details of your setup, ie: what size/brand of tank, what you all have for filtration, wavemakers and lighting.

Oh, and Amazon is your new friend. If you can't find what's recommended locally - you should be able to there.

 

[John.Thompson]

Here's a handy alkalinity calculator you can use:

Alkalinity Conversion Calculator

Aquarium calculator; Convert alkalinity between milliequivalents-per-liter (meq/L, meql), carbonate hardness (dKH, KH), and parts-per-million (ppm).

www.hamzasreef.com

When you have a chance, please post some details of your setup, ie: what size/brand of tank, what you all have for filtration, wavemakers and lighting.

Oh, and Amazon is your new friend. If you can't find what's recommended locally - you should be able to there.

5 Gallon, saltwater series Imagitarium, built in sump style filtration. The return pump has decent pressure and gives good flow to the tank so with the small tank and low flow coral I went without a wave maker. Filter pad, sponge filter, and I believe it’s a carbon reducer screen. The lighting I’d have to look into because I’m unaware of the wattage and such.

 

[Tim McLellan]

Slow down, I did fish and CUC only for a good 6 months before I even thought about adding corals. Then started with easy soft corals, gradually getting a few LPS and eventually a couple easy SPS like digitata and montipora. So far things have gone reasonably well, cyano and GHA are my biggest issues. I've halted adding anything new until I get that beat back a decent amount.

 

[John.Thompson]

Slow down, I did fish and CUC only for a good 6 months before I even thought about adding corals. Then started with easy soft corals, gradually getting a few LPS and eventually a couple easy SPS like digitata and montipora. So far things have gone reasonably well, cyano and GHA are my biggest issues. I've halted adding anything new until I get that beat back a decent amount.

I will. I’m going to stop adding. Hopefully the ones alive will survive along the way. I will follow your timeline. Thank you

 

[Idech]

You don’t need to wait six months. 6-8 weeks is fine as long as you get easy corals.

Start by doing what was asked and all the good people here will help you. You’ll get there, don’t worry.

 

[John.Thompson]

I’ll wait an extra few weeks. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I’ve appreciated and value all the help!!!

 

[jiggysmb]

Sorry if I missed the light used, but my son got a tank 6 years ago from my in laws that was supposedly a reef tank. We spent way too much time testing and cycling to make sure it was perfect. In the end, the leds were white only and we had nothing but problems, lost many corals. Eventually I got him a proper metal halide light and it was too bright and we lost a couple more. Now we are smooth sailing with an old Ocean Revive on 40%.

 

[Acros]

Like everyone else said, your numbers seem off. Way off that I suspect your test kits are faulty. Get a salifert or Hanna (preferably) test kit for Alk.

If you started with live rock, I am not sure why you were adding bacteria. Its a waste of money in my opinion and will do nothing for tank maturity.

Waiting how much ever time without getting a good grip on you water parameters will not aid in tank maturity. Waiting is not a magic solution.


What kind of corals did you add?

 

[New&no clue]

I think there is something wrong with your tests, but I would assume the water is alright if you buy it from WWC. Also, if you are getting it tested at WWC, I would think they would have alerted you to an issue like extremely low Alk. However, what I see is your "reef light" doesn't seem like a good light. Without seeing it or having any more information, the picture you took is very white. Most of the lights used turn tanks blue when taking a picture. It is possible you changed the settings for the picture, but if not, I would think it's the wrong spectrum of colors.

 

[Tamberav]

You need to get a real light. I doubt whatever reef light that tank came with is a real reef capable light. Companies can make whatever claim they want.

Get good test kits!! No dip strips! Salifert or Red Sea.

I think after those changes you will be in a good spot.

 

[John.Thompson]

Sorry if I missed the light used, but my son got a tank 6 years ago from my in laws that was supposedly a reef tank. We spent way too much time testing and cycling to make sure it was perfect. In the end, the leds were white only and we had nothing but problems, lost many corals. Eventually I got him a proper metal halide light and it was too bright and we lost a couple more. Now we are smooth sailing with an old Ocean Revive on 40%.

Thanks so much. I’m going to try this too!!