well... now what?

[capt85]

I am quickly approaching my 1 year anniversary (6/8). And i am looking for some input on my next step. I will give a rundown of what I have done to help give some perspective. This will include full tank shots to help show you what I have so far and plus who doesn't like pictures.

I have a 55 gallon DT and a 30 gallon sump. Mixed reef with smaller community fish. Fish are 1 yellow coris wrasse, 2 occelaris clowns, 2 blue green chromis, 1 firefish, 1 yellow watchman goby pistol shrimp pair, and 1 green mandarin.

The coral is mainly SPS and LPS, Very few zoas or softies. You will see I recently took the fromnt of my stand off so I could put my sump under my tank but that is why it looks very "new".

Tank specs.
Flow: 2 Seio 680 gpg blowers, 1 750 Koralia evolution, and return pump.

Filtration: dual HOB octopus skimmer. The skimmer works well for being in the sump since adding an ATO. Fuge in sump (roughly 8 gallon area). And roughly 100 pounds of live rock. I have been vodka dosing for roughly 3 months but had slacked off for a week or so. I am currently back in the cycle and have been adding it to my ATO.

Lights: 6 bulb T-5. I am replacing bulbs currently in 1 week intervals to minimize stress and I have 3 to go.

Dosing: All i do to dose is fully saturated kalkwasser.

Temp: 77-85°F ( one thing I will address)
SG. 0126
Nitrates: 10 and have been for a long time. Cutting back on feeding, adding fuge and vodka dosing still will not make this 0.
Nitrates: 0
Amm: 0
PH: 8.4
Cal: 490
Mg: 1380

I have had great PE and growth with most all of my corals but I know it can be better.
I am also pleased with how little algea. I have a few tufts here and there but still very controlled.

Future plans. I will continue changing bulbs until they are all new, add 10 gallon to remove my macro from sump to separate tank. Hang lights to encourage less heat increase.

Goals: I want my nitrates at 0 and my temperature more constant. Long term I would like to add a nem and feel having a carbon filter would be safer for my tank.

After all this info what would you more experienced reefers add first? Also are there any areas you would focus on now since you have done it for a while?

I appologize for the pictures not being so great.

 

[IPisces]

I wouldnt worry about the nitrates so much. 10 is good. You should alway have a trace. I think adding an anemone would be okay at this point. Hang your light, add carbon filter and the anemone. Keep an eye on it though. People have had problems with them moving around and stinging coral. Personally, I have had a couple anemones, both of which traveled a bit when introduced to the tank, but neither one of them killed anything. It will settle in where it wants to and if a piece of coral is too close, you can move it.

 

[IPisces]

Oh, by the way, you've got some nice pieces of coral there. Nice job on the tank!

 

[CJO]

First, I would look into getting a controller and putting a fan on your tank to help with the temperature fluctuations. Also, I didn't see any Alk readings? I also think that you would be ready to add an anemone, probably a bubble tip.

CJ