Need advice on current equipment please

[ahiggins]

Just to let you know, your heater is underpowered for your tank size. The 50W Neo Therm is only rated for up to 12 gallons. Your lights will help keep the temperature up during the day, but at night, you could have a pretty big swing, depending on how cool you keep your house.

Thats a good catch, my house runs hot though. I was actually thinking I may need a chiller.
I havent been able to find the thread with perfect stats for reef and fish keeping.

 

[michellejy]

It mainly depends on the fish you are keeping, but for most common options, you will be in the 76 - 80 range.

 

[ahiggins]

It mainly depends on the fish you are keeping, but for most common options, you will be in the 76 - 80 range.

hmm, I may want to go up a size with heater then.

 

[michellejy]

You probably need to. With an undersized heater, my 10 gallon quarantine tank was barely above room temperature :/

 

[ahiggins]

You probably need to. With an undersized heater, my 10 gallon quarantine tank was barely above room temperature :/

Can I have trouble if I have an oversized one?

 

[michellejy]

Can I have trouble if I have an oversized one?

If it gets stuck on, yes. It will cook your tank. That happened to me once :/

That's why a lot of people run 2 undersized heaters rather than 1 that is the appropriate size. I don't have room in my AIO to run two though, so I just bought one that had a long history of being reliable.

 

[cmcoker]

Hello,

Instant ocean is fine to start with, Randy Holmes-Farley used it for years. He's the chemist that runs the Chemistry forum. I use the Red Sea blue bucket, mostly because it matches my tank parameters, it's cheap and has a bucket to store the salt

For the heater, get a controller. I use a finnex controller I got for $40, even good heaters malfunction. A controller has a separate temperature sensor and supplies power to the heater based on your settings preventing the heater from getting stuck on. Also sounds an alarm if too far out of range.

IMO, more smaller pumps is better than just one. You can arrange them to eliminate dead spots around the tank, flexibility you don't have with a single powerhead.

Here's a like to an article from Randy on optimal reef parameters
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/173563/

Take a look at the stickies here in the new to the hobby forum and also the stickies in the chemistry forum... Lots to read and learn, just take it one step at a time. Any recommendations you get, think about and research before implementation.

Happy reefing!

 

[ahiggins]

Hello,

Instant ocean is fine to start with, Randy Holmes-Farley used it for years. He's the chemist that runs the Chemistry forum. I use the Red Sea blue bucket, mostly because it matches my tank parameters, it's cheap and has a bucket to store the salt

For the heater, get a controller. I use a finnex controller I got for $40, even good heaters malfunction. A controller has a separate temperature sensor and supplies power to the heater based on your settings preventing the heater from getting stuck on. Also sounds an alarm if too far out of range.

IMO, more smaller pumps is better than just one. You can arrange them to eliminate dead spots around the tank, flexibility you don't have with a single powerhead.

Here's a like to an article from Randy on optimal reef parameters
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/173563/

Take a look at the stickies here in the new to the hobby forum and also the stickies in the chemistry forum... Lots to read and learn, just take it one step at a time. Any recommendations you get, think about and research before implementation.

Happy reefing!

Thank you!

 

[jaws789832]

I agree cmcocker. I use reef crystls and have for many years with no problems. Basically my suggestion is use whatever your lfs is using that way it is easy to get and when you buy fish and coral from the the parameters match pretty close. As you get more advanced you can look into more options such as dosing and what your particular tank needs but until then keep it simple and easy.

 

[Zoot098]

Check out the Jebao RW4 powerhead, Its controllable, has wave functions, nighttime functions, and feeding mode and most likely is the same price as a Koralia

 

[Bradw18]

I didn't read all the postings but incase nobody had said it yet I would go for a bigger heater. 100-150 probably just to be safe expecally if your gonna run led lighting

 

[ahiggins]

I agree cmcocker. I use reef crystls and have for many years with no problems. Basically my suggestion is use whatever your lfs is using that way it is easy to get and when you buy fish and coral from the the parameters match pretty close. As you get more advanced you can look into more options such as dosing and what your particular tank needs but until then keep it simple and easy.

thanks :D

 

[ahiggins]

I have 2 more questions for start up (still for the 25 gallon):

1) Live sand or bare bottom (take a look at the fish below). I like sand but dont want all kinds of it blown around. I DO intend to keep soft coral after all is acclimated. I just received 2x 240GPH hydor circulation pumps.

2) What do you think about....
Here is my fish-wish-list:
-1 yellow watchman goby
-1 warpaint goby
-1 clownfish
-1 or 2 blue legged hermit crab
-1 or 2 peppermint shrimp
-a coupl trochus snails
-(if applicable, maybe a wrasse)

Do I need a better clean up crew? and I definitely dont want to be overstocked lol

Thanks again :D

 

[Brandon42]

sand or bare bottom is all preference. bare bottom is easier to clean but you see the debris much more in the tank so more vacuuming is necessary. with sand you get lots of beneficial bacteria to help clean the tank and your debris is less noticeable but its still gotta be stirred and vacuumed as well. really depends on what you want it to look like and a cleaning schedule that fits your life.

 

[michellejy]

Your watchman will be happier with sand. I really hate seeing junk on the bottom in my quarantine tank, so I know it would drive me insane in a display tank!

 

[ahiggins]

Would I have to worry about sand storms with the circulation pumps? Ill run them while cycling so maybe I would just have to reposition a few times...I definitely like the idea of sand

 

[michellejy]

Would I have to worry about sand storms with the circulation pumps? Ill run them while cycling so maybe I would just have to reposition a few times...I definitely like the idea of sand

I have never had an issue. If your powerheads are positioned high enough not to disturb the sand on a day to day basis, they aren't going to go crazy just because a goby does a little digging. Once your tank starts to have some bacteria, it helps to weigh down all of the little sand particles anyway, so they don't really blow around as easily.

 

[Brandon42]

iv never had a problem with it either. if its a concern of yours get a arginite sand. its a bigger grain size and wont blow around as much but still looks natural.

 

[ahiggins]

Thats exactly what I needed to know :)
Thanks!!

 

[michellejy]

Oh, I should have mentioned that the wrasses that will work in that size tank (namely the 6 line) generally end up being evil bullies to the other occupants. Everything else you have planned is peaceful, so I thought you might want to know.