New to reefing looking for help

[CoralNoobDude]

Hello,

Im new to the reefing community and glad to be a part of an awesome hobby. I've got tons of questions. Right now my tank is still I the noob stage. I've only got two corals..a green star polyp and a zoanthid frag. Right now my issue is that the zoanthids are not opening at all. They are very tight (see image). I'm running a 20 gallon with two 240gph powerheads. I have a Fluval Nano Marine Sea light that im not sure is set right. Right now I've set it on 25% blue and 25% magenta. As far as I know my water parameters are good.

Any advice would be great. Im also looking to expand my coral base so I'm open to any suggestions as to what to add and where to get them. Im in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area.

 

[mike werner]

Welcome

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!!

How old is your tank?

 

[Ippyroy]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Mhart032]

welcome to the club!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Redfoxtang]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Gernader]

Welcome to R2R!!

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here
open 24-7
pics are required....lol ..we all love pics

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to R2R! I really like your aquascape. Your tank looks kinda young. Can you give us some specifics? Parameters, etc...

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!!!

So one thing you’ll always be asked when you post questions here looking for help with corals or fish not acting or looking right... water parameters. Even if you think they’re in the right ballpark, sharing them allows the many experts to eliminate it as a cause or identify potential issues.

 

[CoralNoobDude]

Welcome to R2R!!!

How new is your tank?

It's been setup since November last year

 

[Dw79]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Billldg]

It's been setup since November last year

Though young, your tank has a little age on it. As others have said, what are your parameters? Unfortunately this is something we will ask often when trying to find a solution to possible issues. Either way we will help you as best as we can.

 

[CoralNoobDude]

Disclaimer I only have hanna tester for alkalinity and ph. So other parameters are based in the old color change test kits.

ALK: 9.2
pH: 8.1
Ammonia: looks like 5ppm or less
Nitrate: 10ppm
Salinity: 1.025

Other parameters phosphates, calcium, I'm not sure of.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Welcome. Ammonia is best when it is at 0, 5 is a little high in my opinion.

Disclaimer I only have hanna tester for alkalinity and ph. So other parameters are based in the old color change test kits.

ALK: 9.2
pH: 8.1
Ammonia: looks like 5ppm or less
Nitrate: 10ppm
Salinity: 1.025

Other parameters phosphates, calcium, I'm not sure of.

 

[Billldg]

Disclaimer I only have hanna tester for alkalinity and ph. So other parameters are based in the old color change test kits.

ALK: 9.2
pH: 8.1
Ammonia: looks like 5ppm or less
Nitrate: 10ppm
Salinity: 1.025

Other parameters phosphates, calcium, I'm not sure of.

It looks like your tank may still be a little to new to add corals yet. As said above, ammonia should be at 0. I would hold off a little while on adding any more corals and test your ammonia. When it is constantly at 0 ppm, then your tank may be ready for a few more frags. Ask all the questions you want, their is no such thing as a bad or stupid question.

 

[CoralNoobDude]

Welcome. Ammonia is best when it is at 0, 5 is a little high in my opinion.

Ammonia might be a little high because I

It looks like your tank may still be a little to new to add corals yet. As said above, ammonia should be at 0. I would hold off a little while on adding any more corals and test your ammonia. When it is constantly at 0 ppm, then your tank may be ready for a few more frags. Ask all the questions you want, their is no such thing as a bad or stupid question.

Well keep in mind I'm using the color test. There is no green in the test tube so im just rounding. It's more likely 0ppm

 

[Dragonreef202]

Welcome and there's no need to rush adding corals. I would at least add a fish and start testing to get measurements on your tank. I am located in Washington DC I haven't found a go to store to buy frags locally. I have bought majority of my frags on this site or online. You get a some good deals.