New Tank

[blev]

hello all,

i found Talkingreef on google and you guys have really helped me understand more just by reading the forums,

i ahve some questions,

first off when i went to my lfs he had given me saltwater the nutri water and i filled my 30 gallon with it as well as about i think 10 or 15 pounds of live rock, and 2 bags of live sand, he told me come back a few days later to buy some fish, me being new ot this followed his instructions, as well as he sold me a skilyer whihc i honestly hate, in any case the level sin the tank seem to be doing very well and the live rock has color coming on to it and seems to be moving along very well, he sold me three fish a tomato clownfish and blue tang and another clown, they are eating well and seem to have acclimated well to the tank, and he also sold me a cleaning crew,

now i hate the skilter so i purchased the eheim pro 2 canister filter and installed and love it, but still ahve the skilter up as i have not had time to buy a hang on back skimmer (any suggestions?)

again as i said before im new ot this and as im reading all that is written here i should have not gone so fast but now i dont have as much time as i tought i would meaning instaed of 5 hours tinkering with everything i only have about an hour a day, and not every day can i go to the lfs as they are a 20 minute drive from my house and in the evening its no picnic.

so my questions are what suggestion do the experts have for me in terms of keeping this tank going in the right direction, my ph was a drop low so i am using the buffer, btw i found a much better lfs store in the city but cant go there everyday as that would just be commiting suicde, and yesterday i put the cleaning crew into action and now i realize some are missing and my eheim moved all the sand around and covered some of the cleaning crew so the ones that didnt make it i took out and the ones that are still there are just moving their way through the live rock like they havent ever been fed, i ahve trace elements for the live rock and give it about twice a week, and i change the water once a week, please dont come down to hard on me as the guy in the store really seemed to know his stuff, but im reading here that maybe he thinks he knows more than he should suggest.

thanks for all the help you guys can give and a happyt new year

[poppin_fresh]

I am sorry to say that I think you where misled by the first store. That store was looking out for themselves and the quick buck they could make. If they really did you give you that advice, I would recommend you never waste your time or money there again. I'm glad you realized that you needed some more advice and you came to see us.

Putting those three fish in such a new tank may be a disaster. Tomato clowns can be VERY mean and they can get large like the Blue tang. They will need more space than a 30 gallon tank can offer them. I would try to trade them for credit or give them to someone who has room for them. The other clown (I'm assuming an Ocellaris or similar) should be fine in your tank for now.

As far as the Buffer and supplements for the LR...stop adding them. Adding "stuff" with out knowing how and why will cause you problems.

Do you have Itunes on your computer?

[blev]

yes i have itunes on my computer,

also the reason for the buffer is because i measured the ph and it was a little low and the new store i went to sold me the buffer and explained me exactly how to use it and meanwhile levels ahve remained the same.

what fish dou suggest i put in instead of the other 2?

[poppin_fresh]

Because you have Itunes you should subscribe and download the Talkingreef podcasts... just type talkingreef into the search. Start at the beginning and listen to them all, there is a TON of info that you can listen to for free!

What was the PH when you tested it? Acceptable range is 7.8-8.4. If you are with in that range, leave it alone.

I wouldn't add any other fish just yet. Do some more reading and research first. With a 30 gallon tank you need to select fish that will outgrow or not get stressed out from being in small tank. You may want to look at something like Firefish, small Gobies, Chromis, smaller Wrasses, etc., but not all at once! Take your time or you WILL BE DISSAPOINTED.

[blev]

my ph was 7.2 thats why i didnt like that as i knew its to low, i dont plan on adding anything at this point, and the idea for which fish is greatly appreciated, i would liek to get more live rock as i definitly dont have enough an my setup doesn look that great, but im afraid of doing it while there fish and cleaning crew in there but ill figure somethingout, however how does eveyone get the rock in such great formation am i missing something here?

also what do u think about the skimmer ? are you familiar at all with the ehim pro 2?

[lReef lKeeper]

i REALLY suggest that you listen to these, as they are the reason that the site is called TALKINGreef ...

Talkingreef - Podcast Episodes

with iTunes you can listen to them on your computer. they are all free and you can load them to your iPod so you can take them along with you. i guess you can call the podcasts a labor of love for us. i also suggest starting from the beginning, and joining us on the LIVE shows starting on the first sunday of the new year (i think). the podcasts will REALLY help to explain things in great detail when you are getting started.

as for everything else ... i agree with poppin_fresh. that LFS was out to get your money. try to trade in the tomato clown and the blue tang, as your tank will not be big enough for them for very long.

[blev]

i will definitly do that very soon, what do u say about adding ore live rock?

[lReef lKeeper]

i would add 1-2 lbs per gallon of water. so with a 30g tank i would probably go with about 35-40 lbs.

[poppin_fresh]

You can raise the PH by adding some surface agitation for increased oxegenation. This can be accomplished by the use of a powerhead for increased flow in the tank.

Adding live rock is fine as long as its cured. Meaning that its been in a tank for at least several weeks. Many better LFSs LR is cured by them for many weeks before they will sell it.

[blev]

i ahve a powerhead, sorry i forgot to mention that, as for the cured live rock i ahve been to afew place around and cant find anyone who keeps its, i live in brooklyn ny if anyone knows of a good or greatand honest store i can go to andget some more in person help please advise.

[lReef lKeeper]

try Marco Rocks The finest aquarium rock available, base rock, live rock, reef rock, marco rock, reef tank saltwater fish, live corals, Marco rocks, Fiji live rock, Tonga Live rock as they have some of the NICEST LR that you will find anywhere, but you will have to let it cure in another tank for a few weeks.

you could look through a local fish club's forums for use rock that someone is getting rid of. most of my LFS's sell it, you should be able to find one that has it in stock. just ask someone that works there. they use to hide the rock in the back at a couple of my LFS's.

[poppin_fresh]

Considering that my whole state has a population less than Brooklyn, and we have a couple decent LFSs...you probably have several nearby. I would do a google search for NY city reef clubs.

[CarmieJo]

Hello blev and to TR.

Bobby and Jon are giving you good advice.

I have a canister filter that I occasionally use for water polishing but I never run it for more than a day or 2 at a time. I've never used any of the HOB skimmers but Aqua C Remoras and CPR Backpacks have a good reputation.

Your LR is your primary filtration. If you buy uncured live rock you can cure it in a Rubbermaid tote filled with saltwater. Drop in a heater and a powerhead and let it circulate until ammonia and nitrite both equal zero. It will not need more than room light. You can do the same thing with base rock like Marco Rocks sells. Base rock should not take as long to "cure" as LR.

[Skurvey Dog]

Hello Blev and welcome! I have a Remora C skimmer on my 20g nano tank and I am very pleased with it. And when it com