Help? reef tank 75 gal

There are those who build a structure out of pvc or eggcrate and place it on the bottom of their tank, cover it with sand and put the rock on top of that. It disperses weight evenly. I did not think of it before putting mine together. I have a 75g with 100lbs of rock in it so far. No problems yet. I don't expect any.

Cleanup crew? Visit reefcleaners.org. They can put together a package for you. When to put them in? Not sure. I put mine in waaaayyy too early I fear. Nothing died though. The pros here would probably have you wait until the water is conditioned.....which would make sense.

The glass top should go but not at the expense of the kid's safety. Mine has been on from the beginning. When I secure my lighting system and cut a few pieces of acrylic to prevent splash, they are coming off. It messes with gas exchange and can cause a drop in pH (I think). Anyway, with water changes and really good flow, my pH has been picture perfect with the top on.

If you don't have a ground probe, get one.

If you don't have a GFCI unit (that annoying plug in with the red and black buttons), get one. I dern near electrocuted myself a day or two ago and that is going to be my next purchase.

No primordial ooze needed. Just let the tank cycle. AND BE PATIENT!!! Too many people go hog wild and screw up by rushing the process.

And get good test kits. I have API and Salifert. Salifert is supposed to be the best. Don't get the strips. Get the test tubes and chemicals and keep them out of the reach of your kids. They are caustic.

Now, the only thing I know about slate is that it is used for pool tables. Maybe I am missing something, but these may be a might to dense for your needs. You could, to save money, get some base rock...hide it with Fiji and the Fiji and/or live sand you put in there will seed it.

So keep going......and don't rush.

Peace.......John.

 

I wouldn't worry about a clean up crew or anything else for that matter until your tank is done cycling. You don't even need to turn the lights on for a couple weeks.

 

thank you all so much,
what is a ground probe and how much are they?

I got the slate from a friend at work free and broke it into smaller pieces.
with the way it breaks the edges look like compressed leafs or layered shale that when stacked gives a really neat result, it is heavy but i do not think i have 100 pounds in it.
i see that this grade seems to have some pits in it and the edges are really Purus

I was hoping to keep them and make them a bit higher meaning more weight.
If i did stay with this as it looks so neat do you think the bottom of the tank would bust if i added a bit more?

can you also tell me what a Korolias is?

Man am i a noob or what

Oh Ps the fish are still alive and swimming

 

How long has the tank been up. And Did I read it right that you put slate in there. I believe that is not good, because alot of slate has traces od iron and copper in it. I would use base rock instead, and put about a cup or two of sand from a established tank to seed it.

 

oh no!!!!

is iron and copper bad for the tank or life if its in small quantities?

Oh man it was doing so well to, the fish are still alive.
the feather dusters on the live rock are doing well.
whats going to happen will i need to pull all of that out?