my first swt using petco rock

Discussion in 'Say Hello!' started by FNG, Apr 10, 2011.

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  1. FNG

    FNG Plankton

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    my first swt is a 20gal high with 30lbs. of PETCO cured LR and bagged caribbean LS from petco also. The rock is very porous and using a flashlight I cannot see the end to many of the holes. I hand selected the rock from a 55gal trash can hooked up to a continuous flow of sw. It has been 3 days and I have yet to see anything living on it except one 6lb. chunk of rock with algae all over. but I really like the porosity It looks cool. I haven't decided if im gonna use a fluval 205 or a rena filstar xp 250gph yet as im only using the stock hang over the back filter at this time. It has a very weak flow. I was told to not get a skimmer with such a small tank and just do 10% water changes weekly and use a good canister with good flow. anyways thats where im at.
     

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    FNG, Apr 10, 2011
    FNG, Apr 10, 2011
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  2. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Welcome to 3reef. Looks like a very good start.
     
    Corailline, Apr 10, 2011
    Corailline, Apr 10, 2011
    #2
  3. jspicer16

    jspicer16 Bristle Worm

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    I do not protien skim in my 30 gallon reef, I just have two HOB filters that I keep clean and do 10% partial water changes weekly and have never had a nitrate problem or algae problem. I preach keep every thing clean and do water changes
     
    jspicer16, Apr 10, 2011
    jspicer16, Apr 10, 2011
    #3
  4. homegrowncorals

    homegrowncorals Ribbon Eel

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    Hello and welcome to 3reef
     
    homegrowncorals, Apr 10, 2011
    homegrowncorals, Apr 10, 2011
    #4
  5. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Welcome to 3reef! You're off to a great start. If it were me, I'd just get a HOB filter for the tank.
     
    kcbrad, Apr 10, 2011
    kcbrad, Apr 10, 2011
    #5
  6. xmetalfan99

    xmetalfan99 Giant Squid

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    Welcome.

    Did you putty your rock tower togethor? if not, you run the risk of having it falling over and possibly breaking the glass.
     
    xmetalfan99, Apr 10, 2011
    xmetalfan99, Apr 10, 2011
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  7. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    +1, that was the first thing I noticed. The rock work needs to be very stable. Even small snails can move rocks if they're just balanced on top of each other.
     
    SushiGirl, Apr 10, 2011
    SushiGirl, Apr 10, 2011
    #7
  8. PrettyinPink

    PrettyinPink Plankton

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    If that rock ends up being horrible (I worked at petco a long time ago), I would recommend purchasing from Gulf-View.com. He has the best live rock I have ever seen and you get lots of invertebrate life.

    And welcome to 3Reef!!!!
     
    PrettyinPink, Apr 10, 2011
    PrettyinPink, Apr 10, 2011
    #8
  9. jspicer16

    jspicer16 Bristle Worm

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    That rock on Gulf View looks great... Wish i would of known, purchased 15 pounds this week of rock that I'm gonna have to try to break or cut to form what i want to
    In my display tank. Wanna make some tall arches and some caves
     
    jspicer16, Apr 10, 2011
    jspicer16, Apr 10, 2011
    #9
  10. FNG

    FNG Plankton

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    thanks for the info! I will definately reconfigure the rock for more stability.
     
    FNG, Apr 11, 2011
    FNG, Apr 11, 2011
    #10
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