Help! struggling in the hobby!

[Damage12]

Yes, I agree with Vetteguy. Unfortunately, your filtration is sub-par. The ammonia is a big problem. I would not add any corals until you get that under control and consistently zero.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Part of your issue is water flow and filtration. This is a Non-reef ready tank which is not the end of the world and doable, however it seems your primary filter is a hang-on back power filter which is a mechanical filter and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The power filter will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished with use of carbon and GFO as examples
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces as examples. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

Yep yep. First thing I thought of. IIWM I'd have a GOOD skimmer present. There are other things you can do on top of it, but I'd treat those ideas as a secondary matter.

 

[Money63]

Okay I’m hearing everyone’s opinion I’m new to the hobbie plz guide me bigger skimmer sump with big pump for flow then just scrape my flow makers or still use the Eddie and the mini flow maker?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

For skimmers, I would look into one by Reef Octopus, Ice Cap, or Tunze.

The Classic 150INT by Reef Octopus, while not the cheapest option, is a very good skimmer to have for a tank that size.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im more concerned about filter and water movement. A pump such as Cobalt, or Sicce will do well and are quiet and as mentioned, A hang on skimmer unit such as ice cap K1- or K2 100 and a hang on refugium mentioned earlier for best water quality and biological capabilities

 

[Dom]

Hello and welcome to the world of salt water.

As I understand you post, you are running a 60 gallon with a canister filter. And after reading the thread, here is what I would suggest:

Husbandry
You mention little about your husbandry routine. There needs to be a firm commitment to a maintenance routine. This routine should include a faithful, weekly, water change of 20% of the total volume. In your case, that would be 12 gallons weekly. You are only doing “5 gallons as normal weekly routine”. This isn’t enough.

Preceding your water change, you should scrape your glass clean, blow all the detritus off of your rock and churn you sand bed. THEN do your water change to remove all free-floating junk.

Dry Rock

In my experience, dry rock is dry and live rock is wet. I don’t believe there is a “dry live rock”, but I may be wrong.

If your rock was dry, it needs to be cycled before placing it in your tank. I once made this mistake and the dry rock exploded with algae.

Information Sources
I feel that you are relying on your local fish store for advice. When I first entered the hobby, I was relying on the local fish store for advice. Every time I walked in with a question, they had something to sell me. Then I joined Reef2Reef.

I would suggest posting your questions here, first. Then, armed with the info you receive here, go to the LFS. This will help you to determine how good their advice is.

Pictures
What I see is a lack of maintenance.

Canister Filters
These are nitrate factories and are very high maintenance. I used on on a 20 gallon when I first got into the hobby. Proper maintenance was very time consuming, so much so that I purchased a second filter so that I could rotate them. While one was in place, I could take my time cleaning and preparing the one which is off line.

I would suggest using a sump. You don’t even have to drill the tank (although I would). Eshopps makes some nice over the top overflows.

You've received lots of good information in the thread. Read it, digest it and ask questions!

Good luck,
Dom