Moving Forward

[Dakota]

Hey guys, it's been several weeks now, and the advice I received on this forum was outstanding. You guys really saved me a lot of money and I'm really grateful for that, so thanks everybody.

Now that I've corrected most of the problems from my original post, I wonder if I might post a couple more questions.

Below is my original post.

Hey everyone. I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting here. I got into the reefkeeping business like most - without any clue what I was doing. I went to a LFS to get a goldfish and was talked into a 20g high system. I know my setup is seriously defficient, and while most would just flush the fish and breakdown the tank, I have grown rather fond of them and would prefer to be able to provide them with an environment in which to flourish. It pains me a great deal to know they may be suffering.

Below I've posted my tank spec's and a few questions and a couple pictures.

20g high, 2 circulators rated for 10-20g, 15lbs LR, 20lbs LS, Aqueon 20g heater, Fluval 30 HOB with foam and bioballs removed (LR rubble and carbon pouch)





1. Currently my tank has a pair of juvy clowns, a YWG, and a firefish goby. Everyone but the clowns stay hidden in the rock all day, so I've been thinking about substituting the firefish for something that spends more time with the clowns in the water column. I could also remove the YWG and take both to a LFS to reduce the bioload. Any ideas?

2. Is it possible to convert my fluval 30 HOB into something useful?

3. My snails and hermits keep dying. Tank is between 5-6 months old, parameters are all good. I've been checking levels every day for 4 weeks. Maybe a copper issue? If so how do I fix that?

4. Any other suggestions for how to improve this setup? I've been indisposed for the past 6 months with work, but I have a bit of extra free time now to tinker with the tank. I'm poor, and I live in an apartment, so I can't upgrade any bigger at the moment. But I could add corals/fish/rock/sand, I can rearrange stuff, whatever. Again, this is my first tank.

I took out the shells and added more rock, corrected the issue resulting in snail deaths. I'll include a picture of that. I am also awaiting the arrival of a 30g sump, wp10 circulator, a protein skimmer, and upgraded LED lighting.

1. I'm still stumped on what livestock to add in order to liven up my water column.

2. My recently added GSP opened up for one day when I added it and then closed up and hasn't opened for the five days since.


3. Do I need more rock?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do I need more rock?

No.
It looks good.
I wouldnt do anything right now honestly. Your about to make a big change, and you just corrected several problems.
Get some feed back for sure. Plan out the next fish. Maybe a little school, or a Scooter blenny. But Imo it might be you need the hardest thing in reefing, Patience.
And read what Diesel said in my signature.(it haunts me in my sleep)
After that the next thing I would look into is a cheap HOB refugium. I like refugiums. Mine was $12 plus a $4 pump
And move the GSP up. they like light.

 

[Humblefish]

What kind of LED system are you upgrading to? Just want to be sure it's "reef grade" to know which corals you can/cannot grow with it.

 

[Dakota]

I'm getting a 90W Par38

 

[Humblefish]

I'm getting a 90W Par38

Is this an aquarium/reef light or LED flood lamp like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart...ght-Bulb-E-ECS-38-90WE-WW-FL-120-TP/204632227

 

[Dakota]

The description of the item said that it was intended to be used for saltwater aquariums.

 

[Humblefish]

The description of the item said that it was intended to be used for saltwater aquariums.

When you get it, post a pic of it and the box it came in. I'd like to know the brand, model #, etc. so we can help figure out what it's limitations are.

 

[donnievaz]

Your rock looks great. GSP can be real funny about opening up when disturbed. Once it settles in it'll likely be fine. I've had it stay closed for over a week just from rearranging rock before.

 

[Dakota]

Okay so I got really nervous about the lighting and I called the company and cancelled the order. I should have probably waited till after I asked you folks before I ordered one anyway.

The room that my aquarium is located in has a lot of air movement and so keeping it without a hood isn't really an option for me. I was planning on ordering that lighting, and having a piece of plexiglass cut to put over top of my tank. Are you guys familiar with any lighting systems that would be compatible with those circumstances? I've looked online but I have so far been unsuccessful at finding any LED aquarium hoods.

 

[Humblefish]

Okay so I got really nervous about the lighting and I called the company and cancelled the order. I should have probably waited till after I asked you folks before I ordered one anyway.

The room that my aquarium is located in has a lot of air movement and so keeping it without a hood isn't really an option for me. I was planning on ordering that lighting, and having a piece of plexiglass cut to put over top of my tank. Are you guys familiar with any lighting systems that would be compatible with those circumstances? I've looked online but I have so far been unsuccessful at finding any LED aquarium hoods.

Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you about the light. But "90W Par38" can mean so many different configurations.

Your 20H is 24", right?

 

[Dakota]

Haha. It's okay, I should have asked first anyway. I believe that measurement is correct. It's the 20g tall tank sold at Petco.

 

[Wicked5oh]

What kind of corals are you planning? I personally think the Mars aqua lights are a good buy. I've had good results with mine over a 30" tank. But most will suggest a better more expensive brand with bells and whistles. Which I would have loved to buy but spent my money in other areas.

$185 for two 165w and $70 for a revogi wifi power strip and I can turn on and off plus set timers with my smart phone.

 

[Humblefish]

The only LED I have ever used is the Maxspect Razor: http://www.marinedepot.com/Maxspect...t_Fixtures-Maxspect-0M1153-FILTFILDTF-vi.html

It's expensive, but you can pretty much grow anything with one of those at any depth.

Now on my 29 gal frag tank, I'm using one of these: http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Fixtures-Coralife-ES08604-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

I've seen the T5 fixture for $100 less than that, but I can't remember where (might have been ebay) and it was probably a different brand. If you are close to a big city with a local forum, you can usually pickup used T5 and LED lighting systems on the cheap.

 

[Wicked5oh]

The way the aquascape is I would use an LED pendant.
Spot light affect on the rock only. "I" think that would look great.

 

[Dakota]

It's too bad there aren't high powered LED's built into hoods.

 

[Wicked5oh]

Easily DIY one into a hood.

 

[morpheas]

I have a mars aqua 160W and I am happy with it. I would recommend it.

Also, I didn't quite get why you need to have the hood? What's with the air movement?

 

[Dakota]

It's a long story but,

The air duct in my apartment building is less than optimal. On occasion, once every month of so, the vent in my bedroom (the room in which my tank is located) will spout ungodly amounts of dust which can sometimes blanket everything in my room, sometimes up to a half inch of dust. The landlord refuses to fix it and I'm not paying enough for rent to be able to complain too loudly. In addition, the AC is nonexistant and so there are three fans running in the room constantly.

 

[morpheas]

Oy OK then that sucks... The thing with hoods is that you have to worry about ventilation and temperature etc that's why I was wondering if you could do without. I would still recommend the Mars Aqua and just do a DIY hack to hang it inside the hood...

 

[Dakota]

Maybe super glue it to a hood?