New to reef

benc2428 · Feb 28, 2022

I have a 75 gallon tank that has been up and running for over a month now. I transferred everything from my 29 gallon that had been up and running for about 5 months. All my fish are doing good and I put a zoa in the tank and it’s doing pretty good. I recently added an bubble tip nem and it wasn’t doing good at all. My water chemistry is pretty much spot on from what I have read on all the post on here. I’m new to all this and not sure what I’m doing honestly. Also I don’t know if this means anything but I recently ordered a skimmer so I currently have 3 hang on the back filters on my tank totaling to 110 gallons. Any tips would be appreciated.

Glenner’sreef · Feb 28, 2022

Will the new skimmer be placed in a sump? Also a general rule of thumb is to wait on anemones for your tank to mature. About a year. Congrats on the 75g Enjoy the journey.

Zach B · Feb 28, 2022

Welcome! This is the absolute best place for info & to meet some of the best Reefers in the world! Take advantage of the search column, we have tons of info and topics. Best of luck

3429810 · Feb 28, 2022

benc2428 said:
I have a 75 gallon tank that has been up and running for over a month now. I transferred everything from my 29 gallon that had been up and running for about 5 months. All my fish are doing good and I put a zoa in the tank and it’s doing pretty good. I recently added an bubble tip nem and it wasn’t doing good at all. My water chemistry is pretty much spot on from what I have read on all the post on here. I’m new to all this and not sure what I’m doing honestly. Also I don’t know if this means anything but I recently ordered a skimmer so I currently have 3 hang on the back filters on my tank totaling to 110 gallons. Any tips would be appreciated.

What do you need three hob filters for? Seems like it would have been easier to do a sump.

benc2428 · Feb 28, 2022

I don’t have a sump because the stand that I have the tank on doesn’t have any room. And I already had the filters laying around so it was more cost effective just to clean them and toss them all on the tank.

3429810 · Feb 28, 2022

benc2428 said:
I don’t have a sump because the stand that I have the tank on doesn’t have any room. And I already had the filters laying around so it was more cost effective just to clean them and toss them all on the tank.

But was there a reason for three? The only reason I ask is because maintaining 3 hob filters would be a pita and if not maintained well enough eventually they will just get dirty and do the opposite of what you are trying to achieve. Similar to not cleaning out filter socks.

benc2428 · Feb 28, 2022

Well three filters are really over kill and I only have 2 clowns two fire fish and 3 cardinals in the tank. So I haven’t even had a filter get dirty enough to change yet. Also I just buy foam from Petco for a canister filter cut that down to size and it’s a lot more cost effective and just toss some carbon on top of that.

shakacuz · Feb 28, 2022

what test kits are you using? you could be getting false readings.
tank could still be transitioning from the move, so might be too new for the anemone.

tharbin · Feb 28, 2022

Welcome to R2R! Do the HOB filters have surface skimming? Most don't (SeaChem Tidals are the most popular that have it)? If not you may start to get an issue with dissolved organics (scum) on the water surface impeding gas exchange after a while. That is one reason most saltwater tanks use some kind of overflow or surface skimmer. HOBs can be fine but make sure you are filtering the surface water as well somehow. Anemones are a little fussy. It is usually best to wait until a tank is well established before adding them. Since you already have the nem, be careful to make changes very slowly or it will get upset and move somewhere you don't want it, like into a powerhead.

Edit, I forgot you are adding a skimmer. If it is a HOB it will almost for sure have surface skimming built in.