New Reefer

[PaigesReef]

Hi all!

My name is Paige and I have been obsessed with reefing the past 7 months. I have a 13.5 gallon Evo and have realized how difficult stabilizing parameters are and cant wait to upgrade to a large tank around Christmas time.

My fishies are always doing amazing (after I got rid of an unfriendly starfish UGH) and half of my corals have made it through the hardships in the beginning. I am trying an anemone now and day 2 this morning it is NOT doing well.

Open to learning tips and new techniques to grow my knowledge in the field.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Hi welcome to R2R. With a small system a
Water change should get u close to target parameter.

 

[Sean Clark]

Welcome to the party Paige.

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board!

 

[exnisstech]

What type of nem? They can be tricky in newer tanks.

 

[jsker]

And your new home

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Jonify]

Welcome, Paige!

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Anemones typically do better in tanks that are at least 6th months old. Things tend to be pretty unstable in new tanks as you noticed and they don't like that very much. Hopefully you can make it work!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Paige, glad you are here!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R Paige! As @HudsonReefer2.0 mentioned, your best bet for success with a small tank, at least for the first year or so is frequent water changes. For your Evo, I would suggest you replace 1.5 gallons of saltwater a week. That will help keep things stable. Also be sure to use either distilled or RODI water both for making the new saltwater, unless you buy it premixed, and for top-off. Anemones can be tricky, especially in a young tank. It may decide to move around to find its 'favorite' location. If it keeps moving around it is not happy. Also be sure to put some kind of a nem guard on any flow pumps in the tank. They are prone to climbing on flow pumps with unpleasant results without the guards. Larger tanks loose stability more slowly but they still drift. One advantage, in my opinion, of a smaller tank is that they can help you learn good husbandry techniques. They are no more or less forgiving than any other tank but the changes are more noticeable much quicker in a small tank and it takes less to upset the smaller tank. Remember to be patient and not make any changes too quickly.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[ebushrow]

Welcome!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Paige. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[ScubaShane]

Welcome to R2R! Upgrade! I suggest 30g or larger in regards to keeping parameters stable easier. If on a budget (still expensive) I would suggest 50g or so all in one aquarium or if you can afford go larger and buy some quality equipment. Innovative Marine, Waterbox and Red Sea are a few companies that do All In One(AIO) tanks. Bulkreefsupply.com for tanks and gear.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hi all!

My name is Paige and I have been obsessed with reefing the past 7 months. I have a 13.5 gallon Evo and have realized how difficult stabilizing parameters are and cant wait to upgrade to a large tank around Christmas time.

My fishies are always doing amazing (after I got rid of an unfriendly starfish UGH) and half of my corals have made it through the hardships in the beginning. I am trying an anemone now and day 2 this morning it is NOT doing well.

Open to learning tips and new techniques to grow my knowledge in the field.

Hi Paige! I'm Lisa. Welcome! Glad you joined. Often they need a bit to settle, and 2 days MAY just be settling in... I also wonder if you checked and compared the water it was coming from and your water... people can overlook acclimation process. This was a great recent guest speaker presentation to our local club on acclimation:


Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This might help you find people local to you in Los Angeles:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JLReef]

i added my first anemone at 3 weeks in. from what ive learned is they could shrink up a whole lot and probably has not found his place jet. they wil walk around the tank for thier best spot and flourish most of the times. but the shrinking in or closing up can look alarming ive been scared to lose it a couple times to.