The New Guy!

C

colesy

AC Members
Sep 18, 2005
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I just wanted to post my first message here and introduce myself. I am from Ontario, Canada and have just got into salt water tanks. I originally bought a 33 Gallon tank used from a friend which came with sand. I set it up and am currently running it while I setup the 55 Gallon tank I just bought yesterday.

The current tank has two clown fish, and three damsels, and purple basslet, peppermint shrimp, and red hermit crab, and 1 live rock. I am still new so I don't know the exact names of the fish yet.

I have just got the water and salt in the new tank. I decided to go with a crushed coral base rather then sand. I find the sand makes the water to merky. That could just be because I don't know how to properly maintain it yet.

Anyway I only have one decent pet store in my area that can get almost anything, but I really don't know what is out there to get, so I just usually get what they have in stock or recommend.

The thing I noticed about the hood my tank came with it doesn't really have any extra spots for things like a protein skimmer. It has two openings for filters, two openings for heaters and thats it. It's a Light-Glo hood, and you just break away the peices on the back to put in new things. I really wanted to get a protein skimmer, but now my only options from what I can tell are either pay big money for the external ones or setup a sump system, and I think that is a bit hard core for me.

I thought I would come online and look for a place like with for people that are experiences and willing to give advice to people like me. So if anyone has any advice for a brand new tank please let me know. My goal is really to have a cool looking tank. I am just cycling it right now before I move what I have already to it.

I was hoping there would be a forum dedicated to peoples pictures of their setups. I think that would really give me the best help. So if anyone knows of a site where people just post pics of their setup let me know..

If anyone is iterested I can post pics of my current setup, and my new tank let me know.

Thanks, and I hope to become a regular contributer to this forum.
 
Here is a question. A tank that setup a few weeks ago read within spec for salt levels. Today I thought I would check them again to see if I needed to add anymore salt and now its off the chart.

Is this normal that the salt levels are fine and then a few weeks later they are way too high? I had already put fish in there and they seem to be ok, but I have a feeling I will need to fix the levels.

But my question is how this could happen.
 
question for you to answer your question with. You realise that salt does not evaporate right? If you top off your tank and it was not low because of a spill or leak then use fresh water to top it off, only add saltwater for water changes. sorry if you already know this, but some people would never think twice about it.

Erik
 
thanks for the information. I didnt know that, but it makes sense. I realized that my hydrometer was just being dumb. Actually I guess I was just using it wrong. I used it three different ways and got three different readings. After reading the package and doing it correctly the salt levels were not off all that much.

How critical is the salt levels anyway? Better to be too high then too low? Or should they always be within spec?
 
i would say you want them at the lower end of the range to compensate for any water evaporating, then the salt level doesnt sneak up too high on you accidentaly if you dont keep up on topping the tank back up, but thats just personal opinion
 
JMO, but you want to keep them in spec. Adding topoff water to make up for evaporation is pretty crucial. Keep in mind--the goal of all tank maintenance is to help keep the system stable. That includes the salinity. Most animals can handle increases as long as they happen slowly-but only so far!
 
kamla said:
i would like 2 see some pics..
Click to expand...

Sure, was there something specific you wanted pics of? The new tank or old tank? I have a thread going right now here as well..

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57671

I picked up two cocktail shrimp today and put them in the tank. I also picked up some volcanic rock. It looks pretty cool.

I decided to keep my crushed coral base, but I think I will put something on top of it. I am not sure what would be best to put on top of it. Any suggestions?
 
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