Hello everyone

[quote author=Matt Rogers link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=0#2 date=07/22/03 at 12:54:26][flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

Yes, please check in here when you can and post some more details about your setup. The exact size of the tank, your filters, fish, etc and we can help!

Thanks for joining!

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I left a few questions to seek the comments and views of you guys, please reply when you are free thank you ;D ;D

 

[quote author=karlas link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=0#7 date=07/23/03 at 18:35:23]I was wondering do you have any test kits? i didnt see this mentioned you should have ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kits. When the ammonia and nitrite are at 0 this is when  you want to add your first animal. i think its best to be able to test the water yourself.

Welcome to the forum[/quote]

Post a few questions online, hope to get views of you guys thank you

 

Will all you have added you don't need to worry about adding bacteria, it's there.

I'd wait 5-7 days and test for nitrates again.
Not sure why you are asking how to test, when you have already said you tested nitrates. You just need test kits for ammonia, nitrite, etc..

If your nitrates are over 20ppm, I wouldn't add anything.

In fact, like I said before, I wouldn't add anything until your filtration and understanding of reef aquariums is sufficient.

Don't buy a super cheap skimmer. That filter is too important. If money is an issue, then get a Prism or Prism Pro.

 

[quote author=Matt Rogers link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=45#52 date=08/04/03 at 12:30:12]Will all you have added you don't need to worry about adding bacteria, it's there.

I'd wait 5-7 days and test for nitrates again.
Not sure why you are asking how to test, when you have already said you tested nitrates. You just need test kits for ammonia, nitrite, etc..

If your nitrates are over 20ppm, I wouldn't add anything.

In fact, like I said before, I wouldn't add anything until your filtration and understanding of reef aquariums is sufficient.

Don't buy a super cheap skimmer. That filter is too important. If money is an issue, then get a Prism or Prism Pro.



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I know how to test the nitrates, don't know what I am typing previously.

But what I don't understand is that how come the article I read (the one which I post here) said that when nitrates increase, its time to put in livestock.

What I know of is that if nitrates increase or nitrate is at high level, no livestock should be added in.

Prism or prism pro is the brand name for protein skimmer?

I am still looking around for protein skimmer.

 

[quote author=Inuki link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=45#53 date=08/05/03 at 05:17:09]
What I know of is that if nitrates increase or nitrate is at high level, no livestock should be added in.[/quote]

I AGREE WITH MATT THAT YOU SHOULDN'T ADD LIVESTOCK UNTIL YOUR NITRATES ARE WELL WITHIN THE ACCEPTABLE LIMITS.

Every time you add a fish, your tank will go through a mini-cycle as the fish produces ammonia through its gills.  Your tank will increase its dentrification to accomodate the new fish and balance itself out.  It is best to add a fish and test until ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates read zero before adding any more fish.

Yes, Prism is a name brand.

;D 8) :

 

I could be wrong, but I think what they were saying is that when nitrates go up that means your ammonia spikes have ended and the nitrites and ammonia are zero. Nitrates are less toxic than ammonia or nitrite.

Prism or Prism Pro is a name of a decent cheap skimmer made by Red Sea I think.

 

[quote author=Craig_Manoukian link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=45#54 date=08/05/03 at 10:29:48]

I AGREE WITH MATT THAT YOU SHOULDN'T ADD LIVESTOCK UNTIL YOUR NITRATES ARE WELL WITHIN THE ACCEPTABLE LIMITS.

Every time you add a fish, your tank will go through a mini-cycle as the fish produces ammonia through its gills.  Your tank will increase its dentrification to accomodate the new fish and balance itself out.  It is best to add a fish and test until ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates read zero before adding any more fish.



Yes, Prism is a name brand.

;D 8) :

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Prism is RED SEA Brand, here selling very expensive. S$238.

Now waiting for 7 days before testing my nitrates again.

By the way, if I have a canister filter, do I still need a protein skimmer??

 

[quote author=Matt Rogers link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=45#55 date=08/05/03 at 10:30:13]I could be wrong, but I think what they were saying is that when nitrates go up that means your ammonia spikes have ended and the nitrites and ammonia are zero.  Nitrates are less toxic than ammonia or nitrite.

Prism or Prism Pro is a name of a decent cheap skimmer made by Red Sea I think.

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Prism over at your side may be cheap, but my side, its very EXPENSIVE.

Finally, settle down my rock formation. Now have to test the water after a few days.

 

Canister filters are not a protein skimmer and do not perform the same function.  Skimmers remove dissolved solids from the water column.  Because these solids are dissolved the canister filter medium will not remove them.  Mechanical filters, canisters included, remove the undissolved solids and if not cleaned regularly, can became a nitrate trap.

A good skimmer is the best investment you can make in my opinion.  Get the best one you can.  Let us know which brands and models are available and we'll do our best to help you get the best value.

 

[quote author=Craig_Manoukian link=board=Newbie;num=1058880761;start=45#58 date=08/06/03 at 08:15:48]Canister filters are not a protein skimmer and do not perform the same function.  Skimmers remove dissolved solids from the water column.  Because these solids are dissolved the canister filter medium will not remove them.  Mechanical filters, canisters included, remove the undissolved solids and if not cleaned regularly, can became a nitrate trap.

A good skimmer is the best investment you can make in my opinion.  Get the best one you can.  Let us know which brands and models are available and we'll do our best to help you get the best value.[/quote]

So far, I have 2 brands on hand, one of them is "ORCA" which cost only $28, the other which is the PRISM by "RED SEA" cost $238. The rest all brands which are like super AA, don't think you heard before right, cause I don't even know about this. ;D ;D ;D

Now what I can do is to change water once a week before I find a suitable skimmer right??

By the way, the shop keeper recommend blue or red lights for my corals. Do you think its suitable? Mine are soft corals, hmm that A word which I don't know how to spell.......