I have a new 45 gal tank with 40 lb araganite (sp) and 20 lb of black hawaiian live sand. I also have about 30 pounds of live rock that I have molded into a nice grotto for hiding spaces. My salinity level is great, but I can't seem to get my pH under control. It keeps dropping below 8 and I don't know how to raise it. I have used baking soda, pH increase chemicals, all to no avail. I thought perhaps I needed more movement in the water so I added a bubbler and saw the pH start to rise but never get above the 8.0 mark. I also have a full spectrum light that is time controlled so that the tank is not always lit up and the fish, if I can ever get the tank fixed, would not have to be like a college junior during rush week mixed with midterms, up all night and stressed out. I have a 3 part filter which has a mechanical and biological filter including an aeration tank, but it seems like the water wasn't getting enough O2 thus the bubbler. Since adding the bubbler I have a remarkable amount of salt buildup on the glass which I fixed with a 15 gallon water switch. I would like to add a pair of maroon clowns, 2 dragonets, a large bubble anemone, a coral beauty, and 2 horseshoe crabs. What do I need to do in order to get this thing up and running? This seems so much more difficult than my 10 gal back in 2004. Please help I am trying to have this set up before my children start homeschooling this summer and I am able to use it as a biology lesson and ecosystem unit. Thank you so much I have heard great things about this community and am glad to be joining.
-Andrew
-Andrew