3 problems no answers please help.

[derick]

4 problems no answers please help.

I recently set up a 38 gallon FOWLR tank. ( day 4)
specs:2 rio 600 powerheads, emperor power filter good for 80 gallons, 150 watt heater, a Prizm hang on skimmer good for 100 gallons, 30 pounds live cured rock, and 20 pounds agrronite? sand, (not sure if it was live sand but the sand in the bag was mixed with water).
i have a few questions,
1. i have a twin bulb strip( 1 blue atinic 30 watts 1 white 25 watts) are anemones out of the question in the future with my setup? One pet store said i would be fine another said not enough light

2. This could be a big problem and it may not, my tank from left to right is out of level looking at the water line it is 1/4 inch difference is this acceptable?

3.my tank is running between 80-82.8 F. room temp is around 75 F. and the lights are on 6 hours a day because of the high temps any clues to aliviate this. I tried the ice cubes in a plastic bag did not work well.

4. the skmimmer( hang on) does not fit in my glass top i removed the plastic part on the glass top completly, but the inlet tube prevents the glass top from fiting across the tank, so i unscrewed the plastic bolt which holds the skimmer to the tank and pushed the skimmer back and propt it up with a piece of wood, i dont like this but is a temp fix.

any suggestions would be great..thanks for reading......derick[

 

[tricksterpup]

i have a few questions,
1. i have a twin bulb strip( 1 blue atinic 30 watts 1 white 25 watts) are anemones out of the question in the future with my setup? One pet store said i would be fine another said not enough light

If this is PC? or NO. I personally recommend not keeping Anemones without Metal Halide. Sorry these guys need the bright light like clams, they can live for a short period but you know for something to live for up to 10 years and more in the wild to live only for a few years in dimm light. Its not worth it.

2. This could be a big problem and it may not, my tank from left to right is out of level looking at the water line it is 1/4 inch difference is this acceptable?

IF you are the TV Character Monk, it would drive you insane over a period of time. but to normal people you are fine.

3.my tank is running between 80-82.8 F. room temp is around 75 F. and the lights are on 6 hours a day because of the high temps any clues to aliviate this. I tried the ice cubes in a plastic bag did not work well.

Raise the lights a bit and see if that helps. or try some fans nearby.. I am sure someone else can recommend something else.

 

[wastememphis]

nit picking... trickster meant he doesn't recomend keeping anemones WITHOUT metal halides. From my expericne I agree with him. There are some that don't need them but they still need much brighter light than you have now.

My tank is uneven too... it'll put a stress on the glass, more on one side than the other, but I dont think that will matter too much in a smaller tank.

Take your glass top off. This will allow more light in the tank and keep the tempurature lower. Simple solution I don't know anything about prizim skimmers... my first/only is a in sump Euro Reef so can't help you with that but if you take the glass top off you should be able to fit it. tank sounds good so far!

p.s. that was 4 questions :dance2:

 

[kcmo lawman]

The first time I set up my tank I too had the same problem. To fix this I went out and bought some shims and when I moved I used a level to make sure my tank was level...well, it wasn't...so I put the shims under my stand until it was level AND sturdy and my tank has been fine ever since.

Hope this helps,

Bradd

 

[Blinky]

From what I've read, anemones won't do well under NO fluorescents, you really need MH or a lot of PC lighting. Not only that, but they want a mature tank. If in six months or so you're able to upgrade the lighting, perfect!

I'd suggest leveling the tank - I had a tank crack once due to an unlevel floor and had to learn the hard way. Trust me, it's no fun! While there are no fish in the tank I'd take the opportunity to level the stand, JMO.

Prizms, I'm sorry to say, aren't great - again, I'm speaking from experience. I managed to get some pretty good gunk out of mine, but it was loud and needed constant attention. If you can, get yourself a better skimmer.

I agree with removing the top and/or using fans to help with heat. If you get a fish prone to jumping, like a wrasse, you may want to use something like egg crate to cover the tank - you'll get the same air circulation, but it's much harder for fish to escape.

I know this isn't something you asked about, but I just wanted to suggest getting some more rock - not only is LR a fantastic filter, but judging from what I see at work (LFS) fish are MUCH more comfortable when there are lots of caves where they can hide if they're startled.

 

[wastememphis]

depending on the fish egg crate might not work. for ex, my blenny would most likely get stuck in it if he tried to jump... so he could die that way aswell... there are many fish that it COULD happen to (firefish). I would build a canpy with high sides and an open top.