Need Help Preparing for First Corals

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Hi! I'm new here!

I had a few questions regarding adding corals to my 37g tall tank within the next week or so, as I've never owned corals before. I'll make this as short as possible! Tl;dr is at the bottom, thanks!

1. My tank has a diatom/brown algae problem that has been persisting for months. The tank itself has been set up for six months. I placed Phosguard and four snails in the tank a few days ago, but their progress has seem to have halted. Can corals go into a tank with diatoms (or whatever this brown stuff is)? What is the best, quickest and most cost effective way to remove them?

2. Must corals have live rock? I'm not quite sure if my rock is "live", it looks exactly the way it does when I bought it, just pure white, well, except for all of the brown algae on them. I did seed the tank with two small pieces of live rock, but I just can't be sure if it's live or not? Do diatoms stop the process? I'm not sure what to think.

3. Lighting. I have no clue what to do here. I purchased an actinic bulb and lamp last week, but it was so intensely purple that I removed it and used the normal bulb the lamp came with. I'm looking to house low-light corals, nothing special, just some things to spice up the tank. Any suggestions on the cheapest and most obtainable lighting?

4. Any other advice for beginner corals?

Additional Tank Information I'm planning to get an RO system in a couple of days. I have a regular 40 gallon hang-on filter and a heater. No fancy equipment unfortunately. 30 pounds of (live? Dry?) brown algae infested rock.

Livestock: 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, 1 royal gramma, 1 coral-banded shrimp, 1 chalk basslet, 4 small snails

tl;dr Can corals survive with brown algae and how can I get rid of it easiest? What is the cheapest lighting I can acquire easily that will support hardy, low-light corals? Is my rock "live" rock and is that required for corals? And, finally, do you have any other advice for supporting corals in my tank?

Thanks!

 

[JoshH]

Your first issue would be not having an RODI filter, more than likely is what is causing your diatom/algae issue or at minimum is helping contribute to it. Corals need excellent water conditions so ideally the most cost effective and immediate purchase I would suggest would be a RODI filter. Focusing on this issue first would be best in the long run for your tank inhabitants and you. Next on this list is upgrading your filtration. With such a heavy bio load you need to be looking into something heavier duty than just a HOB filter.

 

[SDdiver]

Welcome
Sounds like you may have a diatoms over your rock which is normal for newer tanks that are "cycling", check out the algae guide below:
https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide
Also, you can speed up the cycling process by adding beneficial bacteria, there are a quite a few on the market, just check reviews, here's one I've used:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/microbacter7-complete-bioculture-brightwell-aquatics.html
If your new to the hobby and like to watch videos to learn, definitely check out BRS 52weeks of reefing:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/week-1-our-best-reef-tank-build-yet/

Keep us updated! And have patients, can't rush mother nature

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Your first issue would be not having an RODI filter, more than likely is what is causing your diatom/algae issue or at minimum is helping contribute to it. Corals need excellent water conditions so ideally the most cost effective and immediate purchase I would suggest would be a RODI filter. Focusing on this issue first would be best in the long run for your tank inhabitants and you. Next on this list is upgrading your filtration. With such a heavy bio load you need to be looking into something heavier duty than just a HOB filter.

Thank you for the speedy reply! I was planning on getting an RO filter this weekend. As far as better filtration goes, do you have any suggestions? Would a protein skimmer be more beneficial than replacing my current HOB filter?

 

[SDdiver]

Josh has a point, I'm assuming your not using tap water... If you are then reconsider. A 37 gallon is pretty easy to get buy with two 5 gallon water bottles of purified water, even from the supermarket water machines that take quarters. A decent salt mix like Instant Ocean (regular not crystals) and your good to go. Two jugs a month and that's 20+ percent water change which is okay with a soft coral tank. If you have too many fish and are over feeding, then that will cause polluted water conditions; which most soft corals can handle but you may run into algae issues, which with a "white" light bulb will encourage algae growth even more. A mix of blue and white works better, check out local fish stores to see what they are running and if you like the look. At night and early morning, I have all blue light which will make orange and green colors glow and pop out. Then a white/blue light can be turned on to simulate high noon day time. This is the bulb I use for that:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati-blue-plus.html

 

[SDdiver]

Thank you for the speedy reply! I was planning on getting an RO filter this weekend. As far as better filtration goes, do you have any suggestions? Would a protein skimmer be more beneficial than replacing my current HOB filter?

A skimmer will be an awesome asset to keep your water quality good, especially with fish waste. They sell a few models that work well as a HOB in case you don't have a sump which is probably the case. Other then being noisy (you can turn off at night) and poking out the top of your tank, it's a good idea, especially for a beginner and it being a small/medium size tank. But not really needed if you have a really good water change/ maintenance schedule. Its a personal preference

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Josh has a point, I'm assuming your not using tap water... If you are then reconsider. A 37 gallon is pretty easy to get buy with two 5 gallon water bottles of purified water, even from the supermarket water machines that take quarters. A decent salt mix like Instant Ocean (regular not crystals) and your good to go. Two jugs a month and that's 20+ percent water change which is okay with a soft coral tank. If you have too many fish and are over feeding, then that will cause polluted water conditions; which most soft corals can handle but you may run into algae issues, which with a "white" light bulb will encourage algae growth even more. A mix of blue and white works better, check out local fish stores to see what they are running and if you like the look. At night and early morning, I have all blue light which will make orange and green colors glow and pop out. Then a white/blue light can be turned on to simulate high noon day time. This is the bulb I use for that:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati-blue-plus.html

The purple light that I removed from the lamp is an Aqueon 24" 17 watt T8 lamp, are these two lights comparable? The white light that is currently over the tank is the same think, 17 watt and everything. Currently I am using tap water, I tried purchasing purified water for my freshwater tank, but after testing that water I wasn't satisfied with the parameters, or with hauling so many jugs into the house weekly, so I decided to stick it out with the tap water until I get an RO filter in a few days.

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

A skimmer will be an awesome asset to keep your water quality good, especially with fish waste. They sell a few models that work well as a HOB in case you don't have a sump which is probably the case. Other then being noisy (you can turn off at night) and poking out the top of your tank, it's a good idea, especially for a beginner and it being a small/medium size tank. But not really needed if you have a really good water change/ maintenance schedule. Its a personal preference

Hmm, well do 10 gallon weekly water changes, which I would say is quite often. I take it then that upgrading the HOB filter would take higher priority over a protein skimmer? Any ideas on that? Thank you all so much for being so helpful and fast!

 

[JoshH]

Yeah Getting that RODI filter is definitely first on the list I would say in that case. What RO filter are you looking to get? And ideally a sump is the best source for proper filtration but if the budget can't afford one then your next best bet is a HOB Skimmer. Do your research and find the best one to suit your needs. Keep your regular HOB for media and such.

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Yeah Getting that RODI filter is definitely first on the list I would say in that case. What RO filter are you looking to get? And ideally a sump is the best source for proper filtration but if the budget can't afford one then your next best bet is a HOB. Do your research and find the best one to suit your needs. Keep your regular HOB for media and such.

I was at Petco last week and they didn't have any, so I was going to head to my LFS this weekend and see what they have, I think I've seen them there before. I was going to research the RODI systems before I left to get one, so I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I know it's essential.

Would you suggest keeping the current 40 gallon filter on the back and placing a new one in the tank also to "double up" on filtration?

 

[Ocean Lotion]

The purple light that I removed from the lamp is an Aqueon 24" 17 watt T8 lamp, are these two lights comparable? The white light that is currently over the tank is the same think, 17 watt and everything. Currently I am using tap water, I tried purchasing purified water for my freshwater tank, but after testing that water I wasn't satisfied with the parameters, or with hauling so many jugs into the house weekly, so I decided to stick it out with the tap water until I get an RO filter in a few days.

Welcome to the addition called Reefing. For budget minded purchases Craigs list is a good option. Never go pick something up without a guy with you. There are creeps out there. There are also some less expensive led lights on the market. Start a thread with that exact question for recommendations and include how wide your tank is. If you don't have a sump conside if you can add one. Here again used equipment can save you a ton. Look up your local reef club and make a contact there. Tell them what you are looking for and they may know people with equipment laying around not being used. Most of us have a room full of it. When dealing with people you do not know just never meet them alone. Most of us are good people but I would not make this sugestion without a warning to go along with it. Your tank will help fill your birthday, christmas, and every other holiday wish list with equipment. Enjoy!!!!!!!

 

[JoshH]

A RODI filter from spectrapure or BRS will be your best bet for one. Both are excellent options and are relatively inexpensive for the convenience they provide. I wouldn't add a second HOB filter probably just a waste of money in the long run as you should strive for some kind of sump.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

Forgot to mention that a skimmer either hang on back if you do not go with a sump or an in sump skimmer if you add one is going to be your most important filtration addition. If no sump then a hob skimmer along with a hob (hang on back) filter will suffice.

 

[pugcrush]

Welcome to R2R! Lots of good info on this forum. Keep reading. You're always learning in this hobby.

You don't see many 37g tanks. It was my first & still up and running.

1) Water quality is your cause. How much are you feeding for your fish? You should add some more hermits/snails. I'm assuming you need more flow also.
2) No. Coral frags come on plugs that you can glue to your rock work
3) There's plenty of lighting options. Research what will be best for you (what kind of corals you want, budget, etc.)
4) softies - zoas, leathers, mushrooms; then move onto lps

 

[SDdiver]

T8 bulbs are usually for fresh water planted or fish only aquarium set ups. T5 bulbs are thinner diameter and more intense lighting for the demands needed in growing coral. Again, it will work for soft corals, they will pretty much live off any lighting so save your cash and get your water quality in check, no use lighting up your algae with fancy colors lol. As for water changes, I suggested 10 gallons a month, not per week. Though if you have algae problems more often would be better until the water quality improves. Regarding the HOB filter vs HOB protein skimmer, I suggest the HOB skimmer as it will clean more efficiently. HOB filters work okay, they at least provide some mechanical filtration, carbon, and a place to house bacteria, but your live rock will eventually become a home to millions of beneficial bacteria that will help to clean your tank out preforming any HOB filter in that respect. Carbon helps to keep odors down, water clarity up, and neutralizes toxins (which is why I love it); many debates on carbon in reef settings- mostly leaching out minerals that your hard corals need, but I've never had a problem and besides your doing softies so no big deal. Your issue either way is going to be skimming the surface of your water, as most HOB filters and skimmers suck up water from below the water line, you want to skim at the surface of the water line because dust, debris and residues float to the top blocking out light and gas exchange. If you don't mind having the skimmer or filter inside the main tank, then consider looking for one that skims the surface, I've seen both protein skimmers and regular filters that have this function. I have a link below that shows an example of a protein skimmer that has it's water intake grate at the surface level, either way you go on filtration, with sufficient water changes on that size tank, you could get by with what you already have, just would be easier with RO water and a protein skimmer. Hope this helps http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydor-slim-skim-nano-protein-skimmer.html

 

[Sabellafella]

Hi! I'm new here!

I had a few questions regarding adding corals to my 37g tall tank within the next week or so, as I've never owned corals before. I'll make this as short as possible! Tl;dr is at the bottom, thanks!

1. My tank has a diatom/brown algae problem that has been persisting for months. The tank itself has been set up for six months. I placed Phosguard and four snails in the tank a few days ago, but their progress has seem to have halted. Can corals go into a tank with diatoms (or whatever this brown stuff is)? What is the best, quickest and most cost effective way to remove them?

2. Must corals have live rock? I'm not quite sure if my rock is "live", it looks exactly the way it does when I bought it, just pure white, well, except for all of the brown algae on them. I did seed the tank with two small pieces of live rock, but I just can't be sure if it's live or not? Do diatoms stop the process? I'm not sure what to think.

3. Lighting. I have no clue what to do here. I purchased an actinic bulb and lamp last week, but it was so intensely purple that I removed it and used the normal bulb the lamp came with. I'm looking to house low-light corals, nothing special, just some things to spice up the tank. Any suggestions on the cheapest and most obtainable lighting?

4. Any other advice for beginner corals?

Additional Tank Information I'm planning to get an RO system in a couple of days. I have a regular 40 gallon hang-on filter and a heater. No fancy equipment unfortunately. 30 pounds of (live? Dry?) brown algae infested rock.

Livestock: 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, 1 royal gramma, 1 coral-banded shrimp, 1 chalk basslet, 4 small snails

tl;dr Can corals survive with brown algae and how can I get rid of it easiest? What is the cheapest lighting I can acquire easily that will support hardy, low-light corals? Is my rock "live" rock and is that required for corals? And, finally, do you have any other advice for supporting corals in my tank?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum! Sure corals can go into a tank with diatoms. Just lets see a photo incase it could maybe be dinoflagellates(witch are naasty).. corals certainly dont "need" live rock, live rock provides surface area for critters, bacteria, all important stuff to keep your ammonia/nitrite at bay so your inhabitants can thrive. The quickest most affective way to remove diatoms, is time (but in your case, id grab a bunch of snails/hermits/rodi ectt..) When you get some coralline algae in your tank off snailshells/corals, keep your water chemistry in check with some good test kits and elbow grease. And your rock should look live in notime =)
Now for the lighting, yea maybe look for someone like a black box led, if your tight with your budget. I cant tell you if your current lighting is adequite for corals unless you have a plethera of light meters. Also yes youll need an rodi, will possibly solve all your troubles youve ran into so far. Anyways, any questions, start a thread, others will be glad to help.

 

[tutmatt3]

Hoping in to follow this thread! Looking to introduce some myself

 

[sricorals]

36” Programmable Marine Aquarium Led Lighting, Sps Lps Coral Reef Saltwater Lamp Programmable Smart Timer Sunrise Dimmable, Moon Light, Super Slim
https://www.amazon.com/Programmable...1-18&keywords=programmable+led+aquarium+light

This is good led light.

 

[Diesel]

What I'm missing here in this thread are test results.
Even after months did you ever test your water for where you are?
Pretty sure your tank is cycled enough to be save for fish but for corals............ that can be anther thing.
Need to know where you are with,
ALK
CAL
MAG
Nitrate (No3)
Phosphate (Po4)
PH swings from morning till afternoon?
Salt level?
Temperature?

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Okay, not sure if I uploaded these correctly. but this are the pictures that I took of my algae! Before the brown stuff grew on them, the rocks were nearly snow-white, so hopefully that will give you guys a better idea, and once again, thank you so much for all of the help and advice I've received!

Welcome to the forum! Sure corals can go into a tank with diatoms. Just lets see a photo incase it could maybe be dinoflagellates(witch are naasty).. corals certainly dont "need" live rock, live rock provides surface area for critters, bacteria, all important stuff to keep your ammonia/nitrite at bay so your inhabitants can thrive. The quickest most affective way to remove diatoms, is time (but in your case, id grab a bunch of snails/hermits/rodi ectt..) When you get some coralline algae in your tank off snailshells/corals, keep your water chemistry in check with some good test kits and elbow grease. And your rock should look live in notime =)
Now for the lighting, yea maybe look for someone like a black box led, if your tight with your budget. I cant tell you if your current lighting is adequite for corals unless you have a plethera of light meters. Also yes youll need an rodi, will possibly solve all your troubles youve ran into so far. Anyways, any questions, start a thread, others will be glad to help.