What to do next!

[timmy_55812]

I kinda hate to tell you this, but those lights really are not strong enough for most corals. They might work with some LPS and softies. Unfortunately the currents don't put out enough to grow SPS.

I'm not looking to grow sps in this tank but I am trying with softies, would you think it would be ok to run a 2nd current led strip or would It be a waste of time, I have a 2nd one I can grab for 50 bucks.

 

[timmy_55812]

There are quite a few options and how much you want to spend is a factor. You could look at the Orphek strips and combine a few. Or go with a couple Ai hydra 26 or kessils or radions....

I don't need anything for sps. That's going to be a future tank much larger then my 55gal, if I'm going to spend big big bucks, I want it to be on something real nice like a 150 to 225 gallon tank down the road. But I still need something more for my 55 to grow my softies better, would a 2ns current usa led help or would It be a waste of time.

 

[timmy_55812]

Oh, canister filter explains ph issue. Measure ph before lights come on in morning, and again before light go off at night.
Do you have auto top off?

I don't have a lot of evaporation so I manually tip it off when it drops about an inch

 

[timmy_55812]

Canister filter can offer plenty of bacteria “bank” but with no skimmer, or water falling through air (sump drain) not a lot of aeration so ph issues more likely. Fresh air, and lotsa water movement at tank surface is a good idea. Bet a hob filter with a bio wheel would help big time too

Yah, I think that is my issue, can't open a window cause it's Minnesota. I did add more surface movement, and thinking about maybe a kalk reactor.

 

[Fudsey]

It might be OK for softies but it's really hard to tell without measuring par with a meter.