Newbie from NJ

[Gareth elliott]

Welcome Jason,
Another fellow Jerseyite, I’m in central jersey.

 

[Yates273]

Welcome.
Share some pics of your systems, we love DIY!

This one is for my pond

 

[Eva Rose]

Welcome!! See you like to label - me too . We all look forward to your posts. This is a great forum to both learn & share. Glad you are here.

 

[Yates273]

Welcome @Jason Yahr to R2R. Sayreville, NJ here. I too am a big DIY nut. Now let's work on finding a new home for that tang.....32 gallons is way too small for that guy.

I was told this is a tang. Do you know if it is?

 

[GoVols]

I was told this is a tang. Do you know if it is?

Kole Tang

 

[Yates273]

Thanks. He’s good for a 32 gallon no? He came with the tank

 

[GoVols]

Thanks. He’s good for a 32 gallon no? He came with the tank

Not for the long haul.

You can't keep any tangs in a 32, for long.

 

[Yates273]

Copy that. Need to find some guys to get this going. I def need to pick up a cleaning crew. I only have a few hermit crabs in there now. I just want to make sure water is suitable. My only concern right. One is salinity and nitrates. Salinity is at 1.016 and nitrates are 40-50 ppm

 

[GoVols]

Copy that. Need to find some guys to get this going. I def need to pick up a cleaning crew. I only have a few hermit crabs in there now. I just want to make sure water is suitable. My only concern right. One is salinity and nitrates. Salinity is at 1.016 and nitrates are 40-50 ppm

How long has your 32, been up and running?

 

[Yates273]

Actually 2 years. I acquired from a buddy of mine who was moving and didn’t want the tank anymore. It was a little neglected but I am getting it back on track.

 

[Yates273]

I also have been reading that I need to remove the bio balls that are in the filtrationbecuenthey are nitrate magnets. I am thinking about taking them out and putting more filter pads.

 

[GoVols]

Actually 2 years. I acquired from a buddy of mine who was moving and didn’t want the tank anymore. It was a little neglected but I am getting it back on track.

I'll list some things but their JMO...

Get and RO/DI unit with an built in TDS meter

Testing:
Cal = API or Salifert
Alk = Hanna (dkh) Alk Checker
Mag = Salifert
Nitrates = Salifert
Phosphates = Hanna ULR checker, but I'm switching to Elos

You can lower your nitrates and raise your sg, with water changes.
Take it slow and your need to know where your phosphates are too.

I'd rather be high on nitrates and phos, then bottomed out.

If you run an reef too clean (low nutrients in the water column), it could drop your bacteria's and might open the door for dino's to take hold.

 

[Yates273]

I bought a tds meter and the water I am currently using has a 2ppm tds. I am looking into purchasing a RODI buddy. 50gpd. I am only Looking at changing out 3-4 gallons weekly.

 

[GoVols]

I also have been reading that I need to remove the bio balls that are in the filtrationbecuenthey are nitrate magnets. I am thinking about taking them out and putting more filter pads.

Scroll down and read Randy's point #5, real slow
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/8/chemistry

Let your sand and live rock, do it's job.

 

[Yates273]

Good read. Thank you for that. I will def be slowly removing bioballs.

 

[Yates273]

Good read. Thank you for that. I will def be slowly removing bioballs.

Here’s the tank so far

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and your new reefing family.

 

[mike werner]

welcome to the fun