Unsure what is next

[jasonamyers]

So I have a Red Sea Max E 170 that has been running nicely for a touch over a month, but as I read more I'm wondering what I really need to be doing that wasn't part of the original kit. I did add an ATO to keep the water levels consistent. We started with rock and water from our local LFS, and water params look great. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can over time for our reef's inhabitants.

In the Tank so far I have (We're not adding anything else for another month):

• 1 Snowflake Clown (3 weeks)
• 1 Banner Cardinal (1 week)
• 1 Yellow Watchman Goby (1 week - Where do these fish even go...)
• 1 Narcissus Snail (2 weeks)
• 1 Emerald Crab (2 weeks)
• 1 Frogspawn (2 weeks - Growing great!)
• 1 Rainbow Torch (2 days - Open seems happy)
• 1 PPE Zoes (2 weeks - Open seems happy)
• 1 JF Spitfire Leptastrea (2 weeks - Open seems happy)
• 1 Favia (2 days)

So the questions I have center around media and lighting. Currently in the media rack, I just have the carbon that came with the tank. I feel like I might should be doing something else as well, maybe zeofit or RS Reef Foundations or BioMedia of some sort, cheta? On lighting, the tank came with the AI Hydra 26HD lighting, which I have setup as shown the image below. I'm curious if I'm providing the right light and schedule for my corals.

Thanks for reading!

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Welcome to the madness they call Reefing. If possible to post actual parameters of water, pics, light schedule, etc I'm sure someone will chime in with some input and advice. I personally love the Red Sea products. I use Foundation A, B, and C individually for my dosing, as well as Red Sea Reef Energy for my aminos. Have had no issues and only good results thus far (8mos +\-) Also, what type of sand and depth are you running at?

 

[jasonamyers]

So here are some current pictures
Lighting Schedule

Tank Pics

Testing Log Book

For testing I currently use a mercury and digital thermometer and an API reef testing kit for everything else. Water change happening tomorrow.

 

[Bunnee911]

What are you testing SG with?

 

[jasonamyers]

A Instant Ocean Hydrometer. I want to buy a controller (apex, cerebrum, reefkeeper), but I can't make up my mind what I want out of that either :/

 

[BRB]

what kind of rock is the blueish purple? or is it just the lighting making it look blue?

 

[jasonamyers]

Just the lighting on some Carib Sea Life Rock that had been established by the LFS prior to purchase.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I would recommend picking up a refractometer for SG measurement, or at least comparing your hydrometer to one and slowly bring to 1.026. Temp looks to be a little on the high side for my liking. My tank personally peaks at 80 as I have read 84-86 is potentially an issue waiting to happen. I personally would also recommend a Salifert kit for trates as well. (Had an api and numbers were all wonky) All other numbers look good in my opinion though. Are you getting premix water from LFS or making your own? If making your own do you use RO/DI and what type of salt?
These are all just my .02 based on my experience and research.

 

[jasonamyers]

I buy both water for changes and ATO water from our LFS. I think they target 1.025 with their water. I'll work on bringing the temp back down to 80. Thank you for the guidance. I'll get that other nitrates test kit.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

All in all though, off to a great start. I like that you're asking questions before adding all kind of foreign stuff into your tank. Looks great and looking forward to seeing it's growth! Keep up the good work. Patience patience patience. The most important thing in Reefing.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

One more thing. Stability will be your key to success as well. I would rather have slightly off numbers consistently than always changing parameters to chase "ideal" numbers.

I have no hands on with the hydra light so I am unable to make educated and informative suggestions there however.

 

[rock_lobster]

chaeto in the back compartment.

 

[jasonamyers]

This is the maintenance schedule I want to get to when I get the right test kits instead of the API.

Salt water Maintenance

Daily

• Feed
• clean glass (blade)
• clean sand
• Daily Alkalinity (Hanna)

Weekly

• Calcium (Red Sea)
• 5 gal water change
• Nitrate (NYOS/Salifert)
• Phospate (Hanna)

Monthly

• carbon
• blow off rocks
• Magnesium

Quarterly

• calibrate probes/temperature

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-are-your-must-haves.254158/

This thread may also point you in the direction of some gadgets and goodies that may be worthwhile.

 

[jasonamyers]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-are-your-must-haves.254158/

This thread may also point you in the direction of some gadgets and goodies that may be worthwhile.

Thank you for this!

 

[rock_lobster]

You probably shouldnt be checking alkalinity daily that might be more detrimental than good unless you are trying to calculate your dosing regimen. I'd say check it once a week at the most.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Very welcome.