Long Term Success Advice.

Piperspop

Piperspop

Will Work For SPS.
Feb 8, 2008
86
0
0
Minneapolis
My 55 Gallon tank turned 5 weeks old today. I have a Skimmer, a HOT Magnum 250, and 2 Power Heads. In the tank is 60lbs of live rock, and crushed coral. I have been cleaning out the skimmer, but never the Magnum. I am wondering what to do. I will be changing the carbon, but how much rinsing, and with what water can I clean the rest of it? Everything in this tank has gone very smoothly so far, and I don’t want to send it out of whack as I begin water changes. My parameters that I watch closely, in addition to top offs are the following:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Ph 8.2
KH = 8
SG = 1.022
Temp = 79-80

The stock in the tank is small so far, 2 Percula Clowns (Marlin And Nemo) Do I have kids, yes., 2 Turbos, 2 Scarlet Crabs, and 1 Margarita snail.
I would appreciate hearing some maintenance patterns that work well for people. I am still finding my way. Thanks
 
Piperspop said:
My 55 Gallon tank turned 5 weeks old today. I have a Skimmer, a HOT Magnum 250, and 2 Power Heads. In the tank is 60lbs of live rock, and crushed coral. I have been cleaning out the skimmer, but never the Magnum. I am wondering what to do. I will be changing the carbon, but how much rinsing, and with what water can I clean the rest of it? Everything in this tank has gone very smoothly so far, and I don’t want to send it out of whack as I begin water changes. My parameters that I watch closely, in addition to top offs are the following:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Ph 8.2
KH = 8
SG = 1.022
Temp = 79-80

The stock in the tank is small so far, 2 Percula Clowns (Marlin And Nemo) Do I have kids, yes., 2 Turbos, 2 Scarlet Crabs, and 1 Margarita snail.
I would appreciate hearing some maintenance patterns that work well for people. I am still finding my way. Thanks
Click to expand...


Sounds like your going very well here..A few observations if i may..

Your filter, i would remove the media and use it for flow only as you have enough live rock in there to act as filtration.

The crushed coral substrate can / could lead to problems further down the line with elevated nitrates. may concider changing this for sugar fine reef grade sand. Caribsea make a good product of this.

Maintenance wise, besides cleaner the glass as and when needed, umptying skimmer as and when...Your looking at something like 10% water change per week, with freshwater top ups as required....clean the skimmer itself every month, or every two months.

The rest prety much looks after itself.....
 
A couple of questions please. All media? Carbon and sponge? I've read some threads regarding carbon, I find I am more for it with freshwater, but saltwater? I've read, and re-read the "Crushed Coral" debate. I admit I have no basis to enter an opinion, but I'm going to stick it out with coral. Hopefully in five years we will still be happy with the decision. We are going to keep the load light, a couple of cleaner type Shrimp, and A couple more fish is about it. Between snails, crabs, and the rest, it's still a beautiful sight. Thanks for the help.
 
I had crushed coral for years without much of a problem, but the vacuuming can get old really quick. The sand is really easy, and if deep enough can assist in filtrantion. Sand also allows many thing to feed and burrow as they naturally would. Anyway, good luck, and I hope you intend to post pics.
 
I'm not a fan of crushed coral for substrate, but it works for some people.

I would suggest removing the canister filter and simply replace it with an appropriately sized powerhead to make up for / add some additional flow in the tank. It will result in less work over the long term. If you want to continuously run carbon (which I do not), then keep the canister filter.

The best advice I can give you is not to give up during the first 6 - 8 months. During that period, the tank will require the most attention and you will likely run into the most problems. After that, everything tends to smooth out and you'll have had a chance to develop an effective, yet time efficient maintenance schedule. Our reef tank is a couple years old now and truly requires very little attention on a regular basis.
 
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