some help pls...

[C2C_SUB1313]

hello everyone...

first of all i must say what a great forum this is and thanks for letting me a part of it.

first of all ill give you a bit about myself,

i have 5 tropical tanks ranging from 6 foot to 2 foot and i have one being built now for saltwater that is 8 foot.

i have one small 2 foot tank that i wanted to play with and i think i have it down pat but would like to know a couple of things on the parameters if possible...

my tank is as follows,

2 foot
saltwater direct from ocean (Treated and Cycled)
6 pounds of live rock ( bout 3.5 kgs)
2 inch round of crushed coral
one humbug fish for cycle

temp 27 degrees C

lighting is on for 8 hrs and off for the rest

ok parameters are as follows

ph.... 8.4

salinity.... over 10,000 ppm (electronic meter stop at 10,000)

ammonia.... nil

nitrite...... nil

nitrate 20ppm

have a 50/50 blue /white marine light.

cant wait for the new tank !


my little humbug in the tank is very happy and swimming around like a bullet but are these ok or do i need to change anything????

any help here will be grateful

[OrionGirl]

A hydrometer will help determine specific gravity, which is commonly used instead of salinity.

Other parameters look pretty good. You'll want to watch the nitrates, and keep them as low as possible (under 20 is a good target for a reef).

What kind of lighting do you have? That is easily as important if not more so than the specific photo period.

I'd be careful about using ocean water. It might look clean, but without testing, who knows about dissolved pollutants or heavy metals. Unless you're able to collect from several miles from shore, I'd just worry too much about that.

[C2C_SUB1313]

Hi Orion,

i have a 50/50 Anatinic (sorry for spelling lol) white/blue globe

the water i get is from 100 kilometers out to see and when it is bought back its treated and and aged. the test that i have performed on the water are all ok and i have also take a sample to our water board here in australia for a check and all is good.

i do thank you for the help and it has been very helpful.

[OrionGirl]

What are you going to stick in that big tank? I'm guessing FOWLR, as you'll be hard put to light it for a reef. I'd still recommend metal hallide, just to provide light to a greater depth.

100 km from shore should be great--a bit jealous. Closest salt water to my home is hard put to support brine shrimp, much less anything else.

[C2C_SUB1313]

lol Orion,

the specs below are for a 2 foot tank that im practicing on, the 8 foot isnt ready yet