New here...from NC. 55 gallon reef (pics)

Yip. And I have the perfect solution

http://www.reeflceaners.org Go there, fill out the form and follow his advise. His prices are great and he always includes lots of free extras of the snails... but even if you don't buy from him, I would still follow his recommendations... yes, it will probably sound like too much when you first read it... but it's not.

Here is my thread on my CuC (Clean up Crew)
http://www.3reef.com/forums/inverts/clean-up-crew-53007.html

Add the CuC and let them work for a few weeks and then start adding your fish selections. As a reference, I have 2 clowns, 1 blenny, and 1 wrasse in my 55. Over stocking is a quick and easy way to failure so be weary of adding too much or too many "messy" fish.

 

Thanks for the info. That was a dead link but I just typed the url in and was able to find the site. I filled out the appropriate section and I'm going to see what he recommends.

Is there a way to get a mod to move this thread to a more appropriate section? When I started I didn't realize this section was for introductions only. It would be much appreciated if it could be moved to the "New to the Hobby" section, I just don't know who to PM.

 

if i want it done, i click the little icon under my name, there on the left

<---

and I just report my thread to the mods. in the reason, i ask to have it moved. it has happened once or twice

 

Looks like the thread was moved...thanks!

John at reefcleaners did get back to me with his suggestions as to what type of cleanup crew I will need for my tank. I'm going to have to do a little research and shop around a bit more before I decide to get something from him but I will be sure and post any updates.

I did my first round of real water testing for my tank tonight. I still have to add more liverock and another pump for better circulation before I start adding corals, but I would like to start preparing for how I am going to have to treat the water. Here are the results:

ph: 8.2
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm (?, this seems strange to me)
Calcium: 340 ppm
Carbonate Hardness: 9
Phosphate: 0.5 ppm

The reason I have measurable phosphates is because when I first filled the tank I didn't have my RO system yet and I used regular tap water treated with prime. I am doing water changes every few days with RO water treated with Instant Ocean to slowly bring that down.

I know my calcium isn't quite high enough for corals yet. I'm hoping someone will tell me the best way to get my calcium levels above 400.

Is it ok that I have no readable nitrates?? I'm almost positive the tank is cycled because I have had all that rock and a fish in there for a few weeks now. I'm hoping my skimmer is just doing a great job or maybe there is something on my liverock that eats up nitrates??

Right now the only additive I am using is Instant Ocean into my RO water. What other additives will I need? What kind of schedule should I keep with those additives? Is that dependant on my water change schedule??

 

Also, I'm probably going to get a Koralia pump tomorrow for added circulation. What strength of pump (gph) would be best for a 55 gallon reef? Will I eventually want to add another to create a wave effect or will one be enough??

I also have a slight concern with my water temperature. Right now its reading at 82 degrees. Is that too warm?

 

The lightbulb for my sump showed up today. I've got it in and it looks pretty cool. I think I'm going to start leaving it and the display light on for about 12 hours a day in preparation for a cleaning crew I've ordered. I decided to go ahead and use reefcleaners.org. All the snails and crabs and stuff should be arriving on Saturday so I will be sure to post an update.

I've been continuing my water change schedule and because I've been working above the tank so much I noticed something that worried me. The airline tubing I'm using with the aqualifter that safeguards my HOB overflow from possibly losing siphon keeps on falling down to a position that makes the whole setup useless. Its a HUGE pain in the ass to reposition them all the time so I decided to go ahead and create a more permanent solution using airline valves and silicone. I attached pics if you want to see what I rigged up.

BTW, I'm still waiting for answers to the questions I asked in the last couple posts if anybody wants to please help me out ;D

 

look at my sig to see how many power heads I have in my 55.

I don't have a return pump or anything, so all my flow comes from the Koralias.

Best way to get your Ca to 400 is to first get your Mg up to ~1450 and then get your Ca/Alk up to par.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com I use their 2-part kit (which is actually more than 2 parts) to keep my Ca/Alk/Mg up.

W/Mg, you can go up 100 points per day... W/Calcium... quite a bit slower - though it slips my mind at moment how fast Ca can go up... maybe someone will chime in or you can search it on 3reef. dKH can go up 1 point per day if you're raising that too.

 

I've heard some good things about Brightwell Aquatics 2 part Calcium and Alkalinity additive and I was thinking about trying it, but the system that you linked looks pretty promising also. Have you heard anything good or bad about Brightwell? It looks like the system you have has a magnesium supplement with it. Would adding magnesium really be necessary if I kept a weekly routine (5-10%) of water changes using water treated with Instant Ocean Reef Crystals?

 

Welcome to 3Reef! Me and my husband live about 45 minutes away from Raleigh, we usually go out there to all the fish stores around Raleigh and Garner. All we have are frags right now but we could definitely do trades when they're big enough to frag! We also have a 55 setup. What kind of fish are you planning on getting?

 

Thanks! I'm not really sure what type of fish I'm going to get quite yet. I'm more interested in aquascaping with corals first and then seeing what kinds of fish are compatible. I'm probably going to start with more damsels, a clown, cleaner shrimp, and maybe some kind of tang just to get the tank going. What are some of the stores you shop at in this area? I've found a place called Aquarium Outfitters that I like a lot in Wake Forest, but other than that I'm pretty clueless.