Lights

[Clapping crabs]

So I have t5 lights and LED light bar. The LED light bar is close to the water and the t5 is up higher just for show. Where should I put these lights? Or just the t5. Up high or down lower. I feel down lower is to close and might bleach the corals. And grows algea super quick. Any recommendations?

 

[UCF Alum]

I’d bring that light bar up higher. Like 8 or so inches off the water surface, right next to your T5’s.

Looks like your tank is mostly softies?
If so, you’ll be fine without worry of bleaching.

And the algae may be because of high nitrates and or phosphates. The light just makes it grow faster.

 

[Clapping crabs]

So I have t5 lights and LED light bar. The LED light bar is close to the water and the t5 is up higher just for show. Where should I put these lights? Or just the t5. Up high or down lower. I feel down lower is to close and might bleach the corals. And grows algea super quick. Any recommendations?

This is the last water check at the local lfs.

 

[UCF Alum]

This is the last water check at the local lfs.

Is this a softy tank? Any LPS or SPS?

 

[Clapping crabs]

Is this a softy tank? Any LPS or SPS?

Just softies. 2 leather, zoas, hammer, candy cane, and some kinda of polyp.

 

[Dual40IM]

Just wondering how any light from the T5 is getting past the LED light. Looks like the LED would be shadowing/blocking the T5.

 

[Clapping crabs]

Just wondering how any light from the T5 is getting past the LED light. Looks like the LED would be shadowing/blocking the T5.

I only set them up like that for show. Normally they are set where the LED bar is.

 

[UCF Alum]

Just softies. 2 leather, zoas, hammer, candy cane, and some kinda of polyp.

Hammer and candy cane are LPS.
Bring your calcium to 425ish, your alkalinity to around 9 as softies and LPS like the higher levels.
Slowly (like over the course of a few weeks) bring your salinity to 1.026 (aka 35 PPT).

Also LPS and softies like dirtier water. 15-20 on the nitrates.
And I’m not sure how your LFS accurately checked your pH. That’s something that needs to be tested right away.

Raising your magnesium can also help combat algae outbreaks.

 

[Dual40IM]

I only set them up like that for show. Normally they are set where the LED bar is.

Oh ok. No disrespect, just wondering.

 

[Clapping crabs]

Hammer and candy cane are LPS.
Bring your calcium to 425ish, your alkalinity to around 9 as softies and LPS like the higher levels.
Slowly (like over the course of a few weeks) bring your salinity to 1.026 (aka 35 PPT).

Also LPS and softies like dirtier water. 15-20 on the nitrates.
And I’m not sure how your LFS accurately checked your pH. That’s something that needs to be tested right away.

Raising your magnesium can also help combat algae outbreaks.

Thank you for the advice. Though all the coral have grown considerably since introduced to this tank. For the sake of avoiding crashes I will heed what you said. Also when I bought the tank it was in shambles. After the last test from the lfs I started using seachem marine buffer 8.3. Picture below. I have dosed to what the instructions stated.

 

[Clapping crabs]

Oh ok. No disrespect, just wondering.

I understand. None was taken. I'm still learning is the only reason I ask. You can only read so much but actual advice from people in the hoddy seems to be a more direct source.

 

[UCF Alum]

Thank you for the advice. Though all the coral have grown considerably since introduced to this tank. For the sake of avoiding crashes I will heed what you said. Also when I bought the tank it was in shambles. After the last test from the lfs I started using seachem marine buffer 8.3. Picture below. I have dosed to what the instructions stated.

Be careful with the buffer. It can throw your alk out of whack. If you have a pH problem, you need to find the source of the issue and not “band-aide” it with seachem.

And for what’s it’s worth, do your best to NOT take advise or purchase tank supplies from Petsmart. They are not reputable saltwater experts.

 

[Clapping crabs]

Be careful with the buffer. It can throw your alk out of whack. If you have a pH problem, you need to find the source of the issue and not “band-aide” it with seachem.

And for what’s it’s worth, do your best to NOT take advise or purchase tank supplies from Petsmart. They are not reputable saltwater experts.

I definitely don't go to PetSmart for anything. In my area they have an ich porblem. On all tanks salt and fresh. I go to my local well established aquarium store. Recommended by a fellow reefer who has been using them since he started 6+ years ago. I will definitely be looking into cause for the lower pH. I do appreciate your knowledge and advice so don't think I'm gonna just throw it out the window.