How is my tank looking

[Dred2212]

Hey fellow mariners. I recently set up my first tank around 6 or so weeks ago and I have some questions. Firstly I'm using a fluval 406 canister filter that I got for free, should I consider setting up a sump? Secondly there is brown stuff growing on the rocks and sand, what is it? I have 2 emerald crabs, 5 snails and 2 clownfish. Can I get some recommendations on what I need to do with this tank to eventually make it sustainable for corals and all that?

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

If the tank is not drilled, then a sump will not be easy to do. You can use an external overflow box, but I would suggest just running it sumpless while you get your saltwater legs and go for a more complex setup on your next tank.

The brown stuff will be algae. Your tank is very young, so it will go through the 'uglies' as different types of algaes bloom and subside as the tank ecosystem becomes established and balanced.

I would not put anymore livestock in for awhile, just let things develop. You are going to need to learn testing and dosing if you want to go for corals. Your rocks are pretty bare still. You might want to get some algae wafers and throw 1 in per week for the clean up crew you do have already. Once your rocks mature, your clean crew will be able to fend for themselves.

Dennis

 

[Dred2212]

Okay thanks for the info and another question i have is for my fluval canister filter. Do I have to clean that or what's the deal with these canister filters. How do I need to be doing maintenence on a setup like this?

 

[Dennis Cartier]

The last time I used a canister filter was 30 years ago on a cichlid tank. Short answer, yes you will need to clean it periodically, but I will let someone who is using them on a reef respond.

Dennis

 

[MichaelReefer]

The problem with Canisters is they hold on to all that poop, versus being able to remove it like filter socks or filter floss. That may work for now, but the more fish you put the worse its going to get. I would definitely look into either adding a sump or a tank with a sump. I would just make sure you clean that thing at least every few weeks. Maybe add some filter floss to help polish the water as well. I've used canisters for nearly five years on my planted fresh-water tank; however no personal experience on using them in a reef tank.

 

[mottomegl]

Looking at the picture you might what kind of lightning do you have cause if you are going to do corals you would want better lighting and like previous post tank is not drilled and would need overflow box and sump which between lights and sump is a big investment so maybe start with some easy fish and a couple softies over time and take your time doing DONT rush it a lot people make that mistake and wait a little longer before adding you probably don’t have a qt system so going have to watch what you buy if you don’t qt your fish or buy fish that are quarantined already any one on hear can recommend one hopefully in a year or two you will turn this tank in to a qt and buy a bigger system that is designed for a reef system also you need to learn dosing calcium alkalinity

 

[1guydude]

Great idea this being the qt or hospital tank.
When you do a wc. I recommend rinsing everything in your canister in your old dirty settled wc water.
The detritus and gunk will fall to the bottom of the 5g bucket. Rinse and shake and squeeze your sponge material.
Do you have a good hang on back protein skimmer? They can be spendy.
Id turn my heater upside. Vertical and not horizontal but thats me.
A couple powerheads or wavemaker pumps on each end of your tank and let it mature like others said.
Prob could do softies currently.
Hths
D

 

[1guydude]

Tank cycles can take 3-6months if charted on a bar/line graph.
D

 

[jarviz]

how are your rocks still that clean and white after 2 months? did you not dose ammonia in the beginning?

 

[Noob_reefer]

I use the fluval canister filters. I have 1 on a 75 and 1 on a 40 breeder. They work well but I recommend cleaning monthly to keep it from becoming a nitrate bomb

 

[mottomegl]

how are your rocks still that clean and white after 2 months? did you not dose ammonia in the beginning?

I think also lighting maybe a issue

 

[Crashnt24]

Hey fellow mariners. I recently set up my first tank around 6 or so weeks ago and I have some questions. Firstly I'm using a fluval 406 canister filter that I got for free, should I consider setting up a sump? Secondly there is brown stuff growing on the rocks and sand, what is it? I have 2 emerald crabs, 5 snails and 2 clownfish. Can I get some recommendations on what I need to do with this tank to eventually make it sustainable for corals and all that?

I like your background choice.

On a canister, clean the sponges bi weekly. The rest of the chambers fill with bio media like matrix or substrat pro. You can even throw a bag of carbon in when needed.

For corals, you need a better light if you want sps and most lps. Softies and zoas will do ok.

Test weekly parameters to learn your tank.

Get strong powerheads pointed at surface for gas exchange. This is what canisters lack.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tank looks nice but I want to be honest- Canister filter, unless you clean it every 5 days will haunt you. It is referred to as a nitrate factory and will elevate your nitrate and ammonia levels and cause issues.
I would look at incorporating a Hang on Back refugium or an external overflow into a sump.
Lights also are very white bright and need to be reduced slightly and blue increased. Otherwise, looks great