My 10G reef-in-progress tank

[kgalliher]

I few months ago I came across a 10G tank and stand, bought some live sand and base rock (no live yet), 4 snails, 3 hermits and a scooter blenny,blue damsel and a skunk cleaner shrimp. For filtration, I have a penguin mini 100 HOB filter.

Recently my shrimp died and now, one of my snails. I can't figure out what the problem is except that maybe my water temp is getting too high. I have an incandescent light fixture on it for now (because it was free) and it of course puts out a lot of heat. The water rarely gets below 80 degrees. My blue damsel always looks faded blue and rarely eats.

Today I purchased 20W 50/50 flourescent bulbs that fit into a inc fixture.

All of my water parameters are fine. I am hoping that the new bulbs will allow the water temp to drop. Any other suggestions or is there something else that could be causing an issue with the inverts?

[NanoMan]

its not good for the temperature to change alot over a short period of time.
can you move the light higher up from the water?
maybe add a fan but make sure you top off the water level.
and btw scooter blennies are not for a new aquarium.they mainly eat live foods such as pods. i am pretty sure they are just like dragonets or in the same family.they are for the established aquarium.very cool fish.hope this helps.

[mogurnda]

80 degrees doesn't sound that high to me. What is the highest temperature it reaches during the day?

With a 10, I would worry about 2 things:
1. Evaporation. How often do you top off, and what is your specific gravity?
2. Two fish is a lot for a 10 gallon tank, especially with no live rock. What are the specific values of your nitrate, alkalinity and pH? Are you doing regular, large water changes to help keep things healthy?

[kgalliher]

It gets about 84 during the day. I do 25% water changes every 2 weeks; my Nitrates, Nitrites, and ammonia are all low. Salinity is at 1.021

I just got home from a 3 day trip and the nitrates are at 20.

Could this be from over feeding??? If so, what will lower them the quickest?? A water change???