Need Help Preparing for First Corals

[JoshH]

Do you have any testing results?? Tank parameters??

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Do you have any testing results?? Tank parameters??

Unfortunately, not yet. I'm heading to the local fish store tomorrow and will likely pick up more testing strips then, as I just ran out of them this past weekend. I plan to pick up a RO/DI unit, at least 5 more snails, and an upgrade to the filtration-- either a much better HOB filter (I've been looking at a couple) or a protein skimmer. Any other suggestions for things I should purchase on this run w/ a tight budget?

 

[Diesel]

Test trips and a HOB skimmer will be a good start,
You always can get RODI water from your LFS or just saltwater if you prefer, you don't need a whole lot for your system.
2 Five gallon jugs every week should be fine.
Past test results will greatly help as well.
The discoloring your see on your rocks is a good sign so nothing to worry about.

 

[NewbieSeth]

Welcome to the group. Few things I have to comment on here. First off, diatoms are normal and shouldn't cause a problem to any corals. The issue here is if you have diatoms then there is clearly an issue with the water. First priority is testing. I would recommend liquid test kits rather than the strips. More accurate results. Second, strongly recommend a protein skimmer before adding corals. I bought a HOB for $60 on amazon. I would also recommend a AI prime LED. It's only like $200 and very budget friendly as you don't have to replace bulbs. I've actually seen great growth with softies and even LPS. Lastly I must play the tang police here! You should not have a tang in such a small tank! He needs way more room than anything less than a 90g at minimum and I'm sure others will argue no less than 120.

 

[JaimeAdams]

The diatom growth is normal in a new tank. It is feeding off of silicates. Adding and rodi unit will correct that issue.

You certainly want to add a skimmer. A hang on skimmer will be fine.

Take a sample of your water to you local store. Many stores will test it for you for free or a small charge.

I would also purchase a black box chinese led that you can get online for about $100.

 

[meir]

Quick question, being that so far nobody has questioned this, how is the yellow tang, I mean I'm all about going unconventional but I wanna see how your tang is doing before I pull it myself

 

[Fish Swim A Lot]

Quick question, being that so far nobody has questioned this, how is the yellow tang, I mean I'm all about going unconventional but I wanna see how your tang is doing before I pull it myself

As far as I can tell, he's doing quite fine! I've had him for about four months, but I feel like the other posters on here are correct--I did some research and it does get very, very large. Definitely too big for the tank I have now. I'll either need to upgrade or give him away at some point.

I'm leaving for the LFS in a couple of hours, any last minute suggestions anybody?

 

[Diesel]

Larry's frozen food, your fish will thank you for it.