noobwithreef1
New Member
Warning- this is a long read!
Soooooo, I really wanted to start a saltwater tank and do it the right way. I researched, watched a few dozen videos, researched some more, saved a few dollars, watched more videos on how to get started and then made the mistake of going into a business and letting them talk me into “getting started right away” and not understanding what they had me starting.
I had originally planned a nano set up with an all in one system ( I think I said that right) but decided I didn’t want to spend that much up front just in case this wasn’t for me ( it still might not be for me, but I don’t give up easy!) so I got a 20 gallon long aquarium, a 30 gallon HOB filter with skimmer combo (I forgot the brand- it was horrible) some live sand (carribsea Fiji pink because well, I didn’t know any better) some Instant Ocean in the purple bag and a mini wave maker.
When I went into the not so local store to just look around, the owner convinced me that an under gravel filter with crushed coral was a better choice and he would even give me some “good bacteria” to add so I could add my fish and my anemone right away. So, He sold me the stuff and a light (Phlizon PH-A40 discussed here on R2R “Budget Lighting”) and then the disappointment began. The anemone died because the foot was cut when he removed it from the rock it was on, then I realized I needed a bigger tank! So I upgraded and used the 20 long for a sand sifter he sold me with the crushed coral (that was honestly my bad- it’s a sand sifter for crying out loud) and a few other sand happy individual creatures I acquired. Then I learned about the importance of water flow, not over feeding, not running bright lights all day etc. The amount of mistakes I have made would take an eternity to read. I come to you all for help before I continue to make unnecessary mistakes moving forward.
I currently have a 40 gallon (breeder I believe) with an under gravel filter and a Fluval ac 110 with an over population of amphipods. 2 clownfish, 2 firefish,a bartlett’s anthias (I think), a yellow watchman goby, a lawnmower blenny, a ruby dragonet, a skunk cleaner shrimp, Mexican turbo, a few blue leg hermits and 3 bubble tip anemone are all of the inhabitants of the 40 gal.
I have reduced feeding and lighting. I also try to remove as many of the large ones as I can using a long pipette (they really creep me out so it’s not a fun thing to do) I see all of the fish eating them when the lights are off.
Here is where the questions start.
I want to add a possum wrasse, but am concerned it may harass or hurt my skunk cleaner shrimp. Could this work out?
The under gravel filter seemed to be ok in the beginning, but now I wonder is there a way to clean under the filter without ruining the tank? I feel like lifting that plate with be worse than just leaving it be.
Is the crushed coral a horrible idea?
Which test kit/instrument is best for monitoring nutrient levels?
Exactly which nutrients am I testing to keep my current inhabitants healthy?
If I add coral what will I be testing for then?
Which wave maker with multi directional flow do you recommend?
Which brand of reef salt do you recommend?
I have googled all of my questions, but I feel like here I can get more because everyone reefs differently and I can get more in depth answers and help. The owner of both of the lfs here where I live come across like they are irritated if you ask to many questions or just too busy. I went there for help with the amphipods and they sold me a Red Sea cucumber (a hotdog or something) it didn’t like the crushed coral so now I have 5 running aquariums at the moment, (that’s a whole other topic
) and am making this harder than it needs to be I believe. I just want to get the abundance of creepy things out and go back to enjoying my tank(s).
Thank you for reading.
All answers and advice are appreciated.
I already know I am doing this thread wrong, so please be nice lol, I torture myself enough
Salinity 1.025
Temp 77.8
According to 7 in 1 test strip results.
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
PH 7.6
KH 40
GH 100
Separate Ammonia test 0
Crushed coral is 1 year old
40 Gallon has been running 7 months
I have no recent pictures due to an extended ugly phase shame.
Soooooo, I really wanted to start a saltwater tank and do it the right way. I researched, watched a few dozen videos, researched some more, saved a few dollars, watched more videos on how to get started and then made the mistake of going into a business and letting them talk me into “getting started right away” and not understanding what they had me starting.
I had originally planned a nano set up with an all in one system ( I think I said that right) but decided I didn’t want to spend that much up front just in case this wasn’t for me ( it still might not be for me, but I don’t give up easy!) so I got a 20 gallon long aquarium, a 30 gallon HOB filter with skimmer combo (I forgot the brand- it was horrible) some live sand (carribsea Fiji pink because well, I didn’t know any better) some Instant Ocean in the purple bag and a mini wave maker.
When I went into the not so local store to just look around, the owner convinced me that an under gravel filter with crushed coral was a better choice and he would even give me some “good bacteria” to add so I could add my fish and my anemone right away. So, He sold me the stuff and a light (Phlizon PH-A40 discussed here on R2R “Budget Lighting”) and then the disappointment began. The anemone died because the foot was cut when he removed it from the rock it was on, then I realized I needed a bigger tank! So I upgraded and used the 20 long for a sand sifter he sold me with the crushed coral (that was honestly my bad- it’s a sand sifter for crying out loud) and a few other sand happy individual creatures I acquired. Then I learned about the importance of water flow, not over feeding, not running bright lights all day etc. The amount of mistakes I have made would take an eternity to read. I come to you all for help before I continue to make unnecessary mistakes moving forward.
I currently have a 40 gallon (breeder I believe) with an under gravel filter and a Fluval ac 110 with an over population of amphipods. 2 clownfish, 2 firefish,a bartlett’s anthias (I think), a yellow watchman goby, a lawnmower blenny, a ruby dragonet, a skunk cleaner shrimp, Mexican turbo, a few blue leg hermits and 3 bubble tip anemone are all of the inhabitants of the 40 gal.
I have reduced feeding and lighting. I also try to remove as many of the large ones as I can using a long pipette (they really creep me out so it’s not a fun thing to do) I see all of the fish eating them when the lights are off.
Here is where the questions start.
I want to add a possum wrasse, but am concerned it may harass or hurt my skunk cleaner shrimp. Could this work out?
The under gravel filter seemed to be ok in the beginning, but now I wonder is there a way to clean under the filter without ruining the tank? I feel like lifting that plate with be worse than just leaving it be.
Is the crushed coral a horrible idea?
Which test kit/instrument is best for monitoring nutrient levels?
Exactly which nutrients am I testing to keep my current inhabitants healthy?
If I add coral what will I be testing for then?
Which wave maker with multi directional flow do you recommend?
Which brand of reef salt do you recommend?
I have googled all of my questions, but I feel like here I can get more because everyone reefs differently and I can get more in depth answers and help. The owner of both of the lfs here where I live come across like they are irritated if you ask to many questions or just too busy. I went there for help with the amphipods and they sold me a Red Sea cucumber (a hotdog or something) it didn’t like the crushed coral so now I have 5 running aquariums at the moment, (that’s a whole other topic
) and am making this harder than it needs to be I believe. I just want to get the abundance of creepy things out and go back to enjoying my tank(s).Thank you for reading.
All answers and advice are appreciated.
I already know I am doing this thread wrong, so please be nice lol, I torture myself enough
Salinity 1.025
Temp 77.8
According to 7 in 1 test strip results.
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
PH 7.6
KH 40
GH 100
Separate Ammonia test 0
Crushed coral is 1 year old
40 Gallon has been running 7 months
I have no recent pictures due to an extended ugly phase shame.
they didn’t make it. I don’t intend on buying more coral until I got this all figured out a little more. I will take a few pictures when I get home. It’s not pretty yet 
