2 months into my salt water

[Anna K]

Welcome to the community! If your unsure about your powerhead, I've seen people add a second one on the opposite side of the tank, but I'm super new as well and I'd use the search feature in the top right hand corner to see if anyone else has run into the issue you're having. Did you start off with frags to grow for your soft coral? I know that every place I've read it says 'patience is key' when growing and I'm not very patient ha-ha.

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Kev

 

[phillyb614]

 

[56longroof]

Welcome to R2R. Id point the current powerhead up to increase surface agitation. And also add a second opposite end but on the back wall pointing up too. I have all the powerheads in my tank pointing up and still get alot of water movement throughout the tank.

 

[tbrown]

Hello, I have a 20 gallon long salt water tank that I’ve had for around 2 months possibly 3. I current have 6 soft corals along with 5 snails and a hermit. I recently joined the community because I have a lot of questions and google isn’t always the best. I only have one power head and it isn’t very powerful so I’m not too sure on upgrading it. As of right now though, this is how my tank is (with light off). Open to any and all criticism, really need help from other reefers about the positioning of my corals, water flow, etc.

Welcome! Glad you're here. You're in the right place for answers to your many questions.

 

[mboley]

Your tank would look a lot better with a black background. Go to a sign shop and buy a piece of Vinyl and look on YouTube on how to apply it. You could use more rock too; more real estate for corals and to make your fish happier.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I like the scape a lot. Simple and allows good flow through the tank. I agree that there should be a black background. Can you show a picture with the corals and your reef lights?

 

[danreef55]

 

[kevthetaco]

I like the scape a lot. Simple and allows good flow through the tank. I agree that there should be a black background. Can you show a picture with the corals and your reef lights?

Got you, definitely like my rocks but I agree with other people that once I add my fishes they’d probably enjoy a little more hiding places, I’ll try and find a spot near me that sells a black background but I’ll attach a picture of my tank as of yesterday.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

you can paint one on with the right paint if you can access the back easily.

 

[kevthetaco]

you can paint one on with the right paint if you can access the back easily.

What type of paint could I use?

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

What type of paint could I use?

I would check with someone that is not me to the specs of the paint, but my assumption is that you a regular latex black paint that will adhere to glass appropriately. Definitely not an oil based paint.

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R!

I agree with the others that your tank could use a little more rock, maybe one near in the sand near the center of the arch and one of to the right. The fish will need places to hide. I would also either angle the flow pump up more toward the surface or move it to the other end. In general, you do not want the center of a vortex-type pump pointed directly at a place where you will place a coral. You want it to glance across the surface. You need to point it up more to also increase your surface agitation. If the pump is not strong enough you can always add another pump on the opposite end. If your tank were still empty, I'd suggest painting the back. Almost any rattle can would work but since your tank has life in it, I would go with vinyl as all paints release some VOCs which aren't too tank-friendly.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Jump right in and don't be a stranger!

 

[RockRash]

What type of paint could I use?

I used rustoleum oil based. But I did mine months before water was added.

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !! :cool:

 

[PharmrJohn]

Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!