New Saltwater Hobbyist

dbl · May 9, 2020

Welcome to R2R and thanks for signing up.

Manda0597 · May 9, 2020

Manda0597 said:
Thanks for having me!

Here are some tank stats:
(Please don't crucify me if you disagree with something, we're new and have done the best research we could and gotten advice from friends)
Please see my other post on my page for a few questions I have if you'd like to help out a beginner to saltwater tanks.

So we've had our tank since mid-February:

32.5 Gallon fish only tank
Canister filter good for up to 75 gallons
20ish pounds of liverock

Fish- in order they were added:

First

Onyx Clown

Picasso Clown

Second

Long Nose Hawkfish

Watchman Goby

Springer Damsel

Third

Leopard Puffer(very tiny)

Royal Dottyback

Eventually we will turn our 75 gallon cichlid tank into a saltwater tank with sump, protein skimmer, etc.

SPR1968 · May 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Manda0597 · May 10, 2020

Update: My puffer jumped out and died......

Manda0597 · May 25, 2020

So I tested the water today and my parameters are as follows:
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5-10 ppm
Ammonia 0.25 ppm
Ph 7.9

ALSO we did a water change and checked the specific gravity because we were curious and our LFS RODI saltwater is 0.31 which I know is wayyy high. Checked the tanks water and it’s 0.28. When we did the water change we mixed freshwater RODI to dilute the saltwater and the tanks specific gravity is now 0.25.
AND we have a cyano outbreak. Oh the joys!

F i s h y · May 25, 2020

the joys of a new water baby.... belated welcome to the party! Happy reefing!

Manda0597 · May 25, 2020

Fishy65 said:
the joys of a new water baby.... belated welcome to the party! Happy reefing!

Thank you! How would I lower nitrates?

Clownfish2 · May 25, 2020

Manda0597 said:
Thank you! How would I lower nitrates?

Welcome to Reef2Reef! I would lower nitrates via water changes. Secondly, make sure to check salinity with a refractometer and calibrate it with the calibration liquid it comes with.

Sebastiancrab · May 25, 2020

Manda0597 said:
Thank you! How would I lower nitrates?
[/QUOTE
Not sure where you are on water changes to date but you need to do one - probably at least 10 to 15%

Manda0597 · May 25, 2020

Clownfish2 said:
Welcome to Reef2Reef! I would lower nitrates via water changes. Secondly, make sure to check salinity with a refractometer and calibrate it with the calibration liquid it comes with.

I use a hydrometer, what is the difference?

F i s h y · May 25, 2020

Water changes will def be the way to go to drop those parameters. Get into a habit of doing at minimum monthly water changes. Check all your parameters the day after to allow the new water to fully mix with the old... and always check the salinity of your new water prior to going in the tank.

Sebastiancrab · May 25, 2020

Manda0597 said:
I use a hydrometer, what is the difference?

I bought two different hydrometers at Petco and my LFS. Both gave inaccurate readings so I went ahead and bought a refractometer at Petco. It is easy to use and accurate.