Are my wave makers set correctly?

[aus1230]

I'll start off by saying that from all of the forums that I've searched I know that there's not necessarily a "right" answer to this but I figured I would provide some photos and some info and just see what suggestions someone might have for me to improve on my "current situation" pun intended lol!
I currently have a 40 gallon long innovative marine that measure to be : Length 34.79” Width: 16” Height: 12.99”
I originally started with just a Nero 3 and decided to also add an Orbit 2 and wow did I learn that this wave maker is pretty strong so I decided to move my Nero 3 to the opposite side and lower it to hopefully help with the detritus built up on the backside of my aqua scape (I realize that I won't be able to get all of it). I've looked all over the forums to try and find suggestions for the settings on these two wave makers. I will attach the photos of each of the settings. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Rocks reef]

Nice looking tank! It really depends on the flow in the tank. Are your corals being moved gently or are they being whipped around? I can see an anemone or two and possible a torch in there.

 

[aus1230]

Nice looking tank! It really depends on the flow in the tank. Are your corals being moved gently or are they being whipped around? I can see an anemone or two and possible a torch in there.

Hey thanks for the compliment it means a lot since this is the first time I've posted my tank lol!! As of now I only have a bubble tip Anemone and a leather soft coral the bubble tip seems to be happy staying where it's at closer to the Nero 3 on the left side of the tank but the soft coral actually flew off of the rock where I had it sitting. I haven't really glued down anything yet since I'm still trying to figure out where I'll put future coral. I know how much of a pain Anemone can be but...... my daughter thinks they're the coolest thing so that's the route I'm going for now and my plan was to wait and see where it was happy for now (I know they can move later as well) and then start putting other corals

 

[Rocks reef]

You are welcome! You can move the leather to a lesser flow area, however, the leathers (toadstools) I have love flow. I do have them glued down though.

 

[aus1230]

Nice looking tank! It really depends on the flow in the tank. Are your corals being moved gently or are they being whipped around? I can see an anemone or two and possible a torch in there.

I will say that I know I'm still in the ugly stage of the tank and before I turned up the percentage on both wave makers the water looked pretty cloudy and has since cleared up. My chromis are swimming right in front of the Orbit 2 against the current and look happy to me. But who knows.

 

[Rocks reef]

You are correct, the anemone will move to where it has found the light and flow that it prefers.

 

[Rocks reef]

You can combat the ugly phase by not letting your nutrients bottom out. Also, it is part of the game and patience is your friend.

 

[aus1230]

You are correct, the anemone will move to where it has found the light and flow that it prefers.

Here's a photo after I turned up the flow and I think the water looks more clear. I know it might be hard to tell just from the photos.

 

[aus1230]

You can combat the ugly phase by not letting your nutrients bottom out. Also, it is part of the game and patience is your friend.

When you were in the ugly phase what were you doing to combat the nutrients? On my end the only thing I've been trying to do is keep up with my 10% water changes and then dosing phytoplankton with copepods every day.

 

[Rocks reef]

Looks good! What's your filtration like? Also, that looks like a green nepthea (the leather)

 

[Rocks reef]

I didn't have any ugly since I used live rock from TBS. However, you can check your nitrates and phosphates. You don't want them bottoming out, you need nutrients to feed the other bacteria/fauna in your tank to outcompete the dinos.

 

[aus1230]

Looks good! What's your filtration like? Also, that looks like a green nepthea (the leather)

I switched out the standard sock on the left side for a bin that allows you to put some filter floss and on the right side I also have a media basket with some filter floss with some purigen as well.

 

[aus1230]

I didn't have any ugly since I used live rock from TBS. However, you can check your nitrates and phosphates. You don't want them bottoming out, you need nutrients to feed the other bacteria/fauna in your tank to outcompete the dinos.

Ive been keeping my nitrates at 5 but I'll be honest I haven't been testing my phosphates as I should. I know this is ignorant but I thought that I didn't have to "worry" about phosphates as much until I got to LPS corals

 

[aus1230]

I didn't have any ugly since I used live rock from TBS. However, you can check your nitrates and phosphates. You don't want them bottoming out, you need nutrients to feed the other bacteria/fauna in your tank to outcompete the dinos.

Just tested phosphate and came back at .03