Hi, I'm a Newbie

Since I was 12 and saw my neighbors seahorses, I have wanted a saltwater tank. That was 52 years ago, after 3 kids and various freshwater tanks, I got my saltwater tank up on Valentines Day!! It is almost 5 mos old and in spite of many mistakes, it seems to be doing well. This is in part to you guys, as I have been reading this form for most of the time. I did hang back on joining as I'm a woman and you are mostly guys.!! I also am not too good with a computer. Now the important stuff--tank 55, compact Flor., remora pro skimmer, marineland 400 filter, hermit crabs, 2 procline crabs { came with my LR], scooter blenny{ 1st fish], yellow watchman goby, pajama cardinal, green chromis, 1 small frogspawn, some mushrooms, on my live rock I got 2 sp corals which have been growing well. Oh please excuse my spelling--I do use spellcheck--but I tend to even stump it sometimes.LOL

 

Congrats on coming to the dark side. Frequent this site and you won't go wrong. So far your tank sounds fantastic. How's bout some pics, 1st time?

I'm assuming your CF's are 96W double tubes? How many bulbs? Do you have them split half daylite and half actinic?

How's bout some pics?

Is your bottom sand or crushed coral, or something else?

How's bout some pics?

Do you have a wet/dry?

Do you have any pics for us? ;D;D

 

"guy" here...but don't be mistaken...plenty of some real sharp gals here also.

Glad you found way here!

Don't sound much like a "newbie" to reefing...

Sounds like a very nice system.


Rgds,


Scott

 

As you know the saying don't assume--LOL. No my lighting is minimal it is a Red Sea Phazer--they fazed them out 8 years ago --2 55 watt bulbs half & half--it has a great reflector thought. I shouldn't be able to keep some of these corals, but I think the outside light might be a factor {in red slime algae also, been there done that] , bottom is sand about 2 to3 inches depending were you are looking!!LOL No w/dry -will post pics tomorrow if I can figure it out. I have to get dinner so --thank you for the ? , I've been dying to talk to someone about this-----

 

Good Choice 1st Timer Yeah, another girl........there are a few of us on here. I'm a 1st timer also, I started my tank the end of May, so your way ahead of me. And ditto on the computer, I still haven't figured out how to upload photos. (I know, I know boys, I'm working on it!). So you GO girland show um what ya got!

BTW welcome to 3reef, the best forum on the web.

 

110w is pretty weak for a 55 gal. But probably enough for most soft corals to survive, if not thrive.

I only have 24w over my 12 gallon, and all corals in it are doing great. Even have two small anems which seem to be making it ok.

Good water conditions a must, not only for normal params, but for absolutely clear water to maximize available light efficiency.

Frequent small water changes (recommend weekly) and regular filter cleaning will help keep so.

Use of carbon 24/7 will help that also.

Sounds to me like you are doing OK...but more light would help.

Keep eye on ebay, craigslist etc. for better lighting system...lots of used ones out there that will meet your needs...

Good luck.


PS: Hard to imagine anyone could keep a seahorse tank in house 52 years ago - - wish I knew what they were doing to keep them alive for any length of time...

 

Yes -I do a 4 gallon water change each week. All my parms nitrate, amo, nitite phos are 0 my calcium is 420, alk is 12. I know that the light wattage is low---that is why I can't explain the great growth on my sp corals and my frogspawn--I have no intention of getting anything else. I have reached the limits of my tank I think. Susique -glad to know of another gal! I forgott to tellyou all--I also have a basket star that was in 1 of my live rocks and it is still alive!!

 

hello, welcome. yeah more light, any pics???

 

Howdy! and welcome to 3Reef, there is many other lady reefers on the site, glad to have you on board, now we would like some pics, before Luna finds out...lol

 

This is a pic of my tank, it is 4 and a half mo old--I took this this morning--sorry it's not great.