newbie :)

sup reefers?
so myself and my uncle recently got a 350-400L (90-100gal) tank off a friend
and id consider us to be absolutely clueless with the saltwater stuff haha
so decided to join up to 3reef gain some info/knowledge in the process

last disaster:
the tanks been up for about 4-6months
started off with a clown trigger and lion fish
added a lipstick tang and a picaso trigger
clown trigger attacks tang and dies in about 3 weeks?
then 2 weeks later water gets @#%@ed somehow and clown trigger dies (what goes around comes around?)
so now we're left with the lion and picaso which recovered from the horrible water

its been around 1.5 weeks since the death of the clown trigger
and just cycling the water as of now

tank:
the tank is corner pentagon in shape (very awkward to deal with)
has a Module 350 internal reef octopus protien skimmer
50kg live rock
thats about it i think

would like a sump but very awkward tank to deal with as in no room around the back sides
dont really want to drill the tank either
We also have a spare 20L tank out the backyard so could use that for something i guess

(will upload pics and vids when i learn how haha)
CHEERS TUBZ

 

Welcome to 3reef!

Sorry to here about your troubles. Don't add any more fish for a while 'til you do some research. Tank looks good in the pic.

Aesthetically, maybe add a cover around that skimmer with a background so you don't see it?

You can use the 20L you mentioned for the sump. That should work great. You can use an overflow box to go to the sump if you don't like the idea of drilling the tank.

What do you have for lighting?

Very interesting rock. I like it.

 

I agree with Seano, but I think I would also add some power heads to better circulate the water. Nice looking tank. Glad you joined three reef.

 

What is your salinity at? ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? Temp?

 

thanks for the input
not too sure of the lighting just came with the tank from the friend will check it out and let you guys know asap.
also forgot to mention do have powerheads!
with the skimmer was thinking just to buy some more live rock to put infront of it

here are specs of the water from a few days ago
ammonia .25ppm (mg/L)
ph ~7.9-8.1
no2 0ppm
no3(nitrate) 160ppm (mg/L) (high but it was just after feeding)
temp and salinity not sure couldnt find equipment at my uncles house! will check soon though

GOT A QUESTION FOR THE EXPERTS OUT THERE
so in the tank we've seen this clear thing and have no clue as to what it could be
would'nt even know what to call it haha
so was wondering if somebody could help identify it for us (pic included)
its the little thingo near the small rock under the lion fish
CHEERS tubz

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/tubay69/135.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/tubay69/136.jpg

 

aptasia anemone by the looks of it

 

+1. Get it out of there asap or you will have many, many more.

 

thanks for the heads up, took it out immediately!

so the tank cycled for about 2 weeks and was all fine and dandy, did the weekly water change yesterday, purchased; foxface, plate coral, 2 snails, some sort of mushroom coral?

today the nitrates are through the roof!
ph was low, everything else was okay though
stats:
ph approx 7.8
nitrate 160ppm
nitrite 0ppm
ammonia 0ppm
water temp approx 25 degrees celsius
lion fish yet again has cloudy eyes not as bad as last time though.
the plate coral hasnt fully expanded, as in still shrunk up. could this be because of a too powerful current?
the mushroom coral has also shrunk immensely from yesterday
will post up pics asap
cheers in advance

 

day one of the plate coral:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/tubay69/photo1.jpg

day two of the plate coral (hasnt expanded fully was huge at the lfs, too strong current?)
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/tubay69/photo5.jpg

mushroom coral? day 1
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/tubay69/photo2.jpg

mushroom coral? day 2 (shrunk and all colours gone, had sort of light greenish bits on it seen sort of in day 1 pic on the right hand side)
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x76/tubay69/photo4.jpg

cheers tubz

 

If you add the pictures will show up in the actual post. The quick way to do that is click on the insert picture icon on the bar above the post box your typing in. ( put the mouse curser over it - it will say insert image)

example:








For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon



Here are a few threads for you to read, then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html