NEW TO "SALTWATER" and forum

[harleyman]

Hi ,, i just started a new 55gal "Saltwater"tank and i have about 70lbs of coralrock for decoration looks only.. i have 3 fish 2 triggers and 1 grouper,, all about 2inch each,, To keep this tank healthy ,, can someone PLZ tell me the basics,, Right now ,, I have ph, at 8.3 ,,water temp 76 ,, and the salinity about 1.020 ..I have a out side bio filter and a undergravel filter ,, 2 power heads for water movement,, and external air pump, with a 15inch air stone .buried in the Gravel ,, i have crushed coral and dolemite for gravel..
Hope i have given enough infor mation.... Please advise.. and welcome and comments or help.. Thanks Harleyman...............

[dischirm]

did you cycle this tank before you added the fish?? :thud:

[Omega]

Sorry Harleyman, but something's that come to mind here are:

1) Those fish will grow way too big for that tank
2) Your specific gravity is too low... get a refractometer and adjust your water to 35 points salinity
3) pH is good
4) What do you mean by coral rock? Live rock or dead base rock?
5) Get rid of the undergravel filter
6) Get rid of the airstone
7) Get rid of the crushed coral and dolomite

So to recap, get rid of your fish, your filter, your airstone and your substrate and replace them with things that are more appropriate.

One-inch of sand, or even better yet, bare-bottom. Return your fish and tell the fish store they should be more responsible with who they sell such large fish to, and get something more hardy and smaller like damsels. Chuck your airstone in the garbage. Get an over-hang protein skimmer and live rock instead of the undergravel filter.

Good luck.

[mogurnda]

Although the tone's a bit harsh, Omega's advice is sound. Your life will be easier in the long term if you follow it.

The current system can be made to work if you are willing to deal with some issues.

With an undergravel filter and no skimmer, you will need to do fairly heavy water changes to keep nutrients under control. You are more likely to run into serious algae outbreaks with this system as it is, because the coarse gravel will trap debris, and there is no live rock, live sand or macroalgae to export nurtrients like nitrate and phosphate.

The splash from the airstone will give you a lot of saltcreep. Powerheads are better for circulation.

There is not much you can do about the fish size issue. If they stay healthy, the fish will outgrow the tank. Shame on the store for selling them to you.

[Omega]

Although the tone's a bit harsh, Omega's advice is sound.Sorry everybody.

[mogurnda]

Didn't mean to come off like a mother hen. I'm just a little sensitive after blowups on other sites, I think.

[harleyman]

HI,, and Thank you for all the " Constructive Criticism" and i dont feel Omega was harsh at all ,, I welcome all the Good ifformation i can get.. If i cant get Honest help .. from the people who sold me the stuff in the first place,, Im nothing more then a Dollar sign to them... The Coral im talking about was On a shelf, so i guess its Dead Coral.. and yes I did let the tank cycle with damsels in it ,, then when i had the water tested back at were i got the tank and setup from .I gave them the Damsels Back and got the new fish...Please Keep alll information comming,, because with your help , i will get this right...all so about the saltcreep ,,iam having that problem as well ,,salt is comiong through top of tank covers.. Once again OMEGA ty for Straightening me out....Happy NewYear all , and Im glad i found this forum
Harleyman