New 30gal setup

Sorry, no photo update today. Had camera issues and had to get some work done on one of the birds cages so didn't get my tank time in until after the lights had gone out and I didn't want to turn the lights on just to take some pics.

I promise some pics tomorrow night.
 
I'm doing lights out again for a couple days to see if I can cut back on some of the hair algae. I hand picked a bunch yesterday, but I swear it was laughing at me while I did it. I'm still getting readings of 20 for nitrate. My ammonia and nitrites are good. I'm considering a purchase of some macroalgae to help lower nitrates. Does any else do that?

Do skimmers help with nitrates or are they more of a cleaning machine? I'm not really sure what their purpose is.
 
I've not had a bad hair algae problem, just a little. I swear I lucked out with the rock I got from the same store you bought from. You're having a time of it. You might try some chaeto but try to contain it a little. It will want to tumble, maybe a rubbermade basket stuck to the top side of the tank?
 
The cheaper rock I bought has been great, unfortunately, the rock I paid a lot more for has sprung out with aiptaisa and hair algae. It just goes to show that just cause something costs more, doesn't mean it is better.
 
Which one did you buy? Their premium fiji in the next to last tank or the marshall island in the last? I bought the premium and it was fine. Although the last time I was in there I saw some of the aiptasia and remembered your problems and stayed away from the stuff in those tanks.
 
I bought two small pieces of Marshall Island and the two pieces of Tonga Branch. The branch is what brough the hair algae. There was a bit on it, but being a newbie, I didn't think it would be a problem and grow so quickly as it has.

I guess you learn from your mistakes.
 
Tikidude said:
I'm doing lights out again for a couple days to see if I can cut back on some of the hair algae. I hand picked a bunch yesterday, but I swear it was laughing at me while I did it. I'm still getting readings of 20 for nitrate. My ammonia and nitrites are good. I'm considering a purchase of some macroalgae to help lower nitrates. Does any else do that?

Do skimmers help with nitrates or are they more of a cleaning machine? I'm not really sure what their purpose is.
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I am just finding it hard to believe you have a nitrate numbe when you have a lot of algae.. It should be utilizing it, and then a number like 20.. Sure your not over feeding or have something large die? Yes I use Cheato and am looking and some others.
 
thanks for all the info tiki... im getting a new apartment for school and i am looking into getting a 29 gal and starting from absolute scratch... I have a 10gal FW now that is finishing up cycling, but that is going to stay with my girl and im upgrading to 29 gal SW.

so so far ive gotten the gist that you need a lot of light.. what would be a good amount for a 29 gal. im not too sure on the types of tanks, but i want one with fish, snails, and crabs, and thats pretty much it... i think coral is a lot more work... correct???

there is an eclipse 30gal saltwater setup at the petco here that is like 239 or something... is that a good setup?? or should i get the tank separate, filter separate, glass hood separate, and lighting separate?? the latter is what im thinking of doing..

so i think ill go with dead and and live rock... this is probably the best way to go without completely exploding my wallet?? so lots of live rock, dead sand..

what should I do about a filter??? would a hob filter not be sufficient? what about a cannister filter??? roughly how much circulation should be going on every hour?? like what gph should my tank be moving??

and is a protein skimmer completely neccessary or not at all...

i want to take my time and do this right, because i want this to be an awesome tank!!

thanks fore hearing out a SW noob...
 
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