So I'm thinking this light while switching out the the Actinic 03/7100K Blue PowerCompact Bulb for a 65 Watt Actinic 03 / 10000K White (50 / 50) PowerCompact Bulb would be a good light setup for some soft corals and shrooms. That's all I'm really looking to get into.
And since I like to jump around all over the place, was it a mistake for me to put in that much live rock since it increases the die off exponentially? I'm assuming that the live rock die off will come back to life quicker than it would take for the planting of a few small live rock on base rock to take root? Reading over that, I'm not sure if it makes sense.
So I'm thinking this light while switching out the the Actinic 03/7100K Blue PowerCompact Bulb for a 65 Watt Actinic 03 / 10000K White (50 / 50) PowerCompact Bulb would be a good light setup for some soft corals and shrooms. That's all I'm really looking to get into.
I have the same Current Orbit fixture 2x65w + white LED moonlight) over my 20g QT at work, but in the 24" length. It is a pretty decent fixture, but I haven't kept anything in there long enough to know how well it would do. The fixture also has 3 cords, so you can do the quasi dawn-to-dusk effect if you wish. Many people prefer blue moonlights, but you could simply cover the LED with a lighting gel (blue cellophane) if you want to make it blue.
Quote:
And since I like to jump around all over the place, was it a mistake for me to put in that much live rock since it increases the die off exponentially? I'm assuming that the live rock die off will come back to life quicker than it would take for the planting of a few small live rock on base rock to take root? Reading over that, I'm not sure if it makes sense.
If the LR you added last has more decaying matter than what was in there initially, you basically just extended the time it will take to establish your cycle. No big whoop, Reef keeping is all about patience. Besides - I like decay, it is the smell of bacteria being fed.
Seriously, generating more Ammonia in your tank due to increased decay runs the risk of killing some beneficial hitch-hikers that may be on/in your LR. Odds are however, that these hitch-hikers have already been exposed to harsh temps and conditions - so they may be hardy enough to live. I've always been lucky by getting numerous Peanut worms (Sipunculids) on my LR, and I have even them survive being submerged in a cold (70 F) tank without circulation for a few months.
Experts like Calfo and Borneman have admitted to coddling their LR to maintain the life on it. This means close inspection and removal of decaying material, more careful monitoring and water change outs during the curing process. Calfo has also recollected the "old" days when a box of LR used to come with all sorts of crabs, stars and other hitchikers that are no longer seen today.
As far as algae is concerned, I wouldn't worry. If your Ammonia reaches a sustained spike, you could do a water change.
My live rock actually had some nice stuff on it before it started smelling. I saw a tiny starfish, some sort of slug with a flat shell on it's back and a tiny crab of some sort. After two days, my ammonia read out at 4.0. Reading around, that seems pretty typical as it pertains to ammonia spikes.
I have another question that's sorta off topic with this one. I put some more live rock in the tank yesterday. I'm now up to around 36 pounds and there's roughly 24 gallons of actual water in the tank. (So I reached the 1.5 per gallon mark ) But I realized this morning that the tank is starting to smell. It's not an obnoxious smell, but it's not particularly nice. Is it simply the fact that it's a new tank and the smell is from live rock die off? I didn't think it would smell this bad this quickly so I'm a little concerned about it.
I just looked at the S&H on this and it was almost $46 to my house. A quick search showed some other places selling it for about the same total price and at at least 1 if you ordered $175 total (who can't find another ~$30 to spend) you got free S&H.
So I'm thinking this light while switching out the the Actinic 03/7100K Blue PowerCompact Bulb for a 65 Watt Actinic 03 / 10000K White (50 / 50) PowerCompact Bulb would be a good light setup for some soft corals and shrooms. That's all I'm really looking to get into.
And since I like to jump around all over the place, was it a mistake for me to put in that much live rock since it increases the die off exponentially? I'm assuming that the live rock die off will come back to life quicker than it would take for the planting of a few small live rock on base rock to take root? Reading over that, I'm not sure if it makes sense.
I think that this would be a good light for what you are wanting to keep. I started out with a Oddysea PC and it was OK but not wonderful. I think the Current light may be of a better quality and come with better bulbs.
You may end up being like me and wanting to keep things that need more light and upgrading the lights later. I ended up going with a Solaris and I am really happy with it. They are pricey initially but are energy efficient and the LED's have a long life so over the years they end up being more cost effective.
I think that this would be a good light for what you are wanting to keep. I started out with a Oddysea PC and it was OK but not wonderful. I think the Current light may be of a better quality and come with better bulbs.
You may end up being like me and wanting to keep things that need more light and upgrading the lights later. I ended up going with a Solaris and I am really happy with it. They are pricey initially but are energy efficient and the LED's have a long life so over the years they end up being more cost effective.
Yeah, I saw the Oddysea's and they were certainly cheaper, but then I did some research and saw they started some fires. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that my apartment burning down may raise the sulfites in my tank.
Yeah, I saw the Oddysea's and they were certainly cheaper, but then I did some research and saw they started some fires. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that my apartment burning down may raise the sulfites in my tank.
Not to mention that the flames may crack your tank!
After almost a full week, the ammonia levels have dropped from 4 (on Thursday) down to around .75 last night. The only problem I see is there seems to be a lot of waste on the live rock and some on the top of the substrate (fallen off the live rock). I'm surprised with all the visible waste that the ammonia levels are dropping. That low tide smell has also lessened quite a bit and is almost completely gone. I plan on adding 7 blue tangs tomorrow.
Yeah, some of the "die off" is actually going to recuperate and will probably make a come back. It may not look good now, but it's probably past decomposing. If there is some on the sand, you could siphon it off, but I'd not worry, the clean up crew will make off with it quickly... as would the 7 tangs
Yeah, some of the "die off" is actually going to recuperate and will probably make a come back. It may not look good now, but it's probably past decomposing. If there is some on the sand, you could siphon it off, but I'd not worry, the clean up crew will make off with it quickly... as would the 7 tangs
Dave
Who would you recommentd I "hire" for my clean up crew? I've read different opinions of who needs to be there first. What's your's?
Snails are pretty sensitive to water swings (osmotic shock is nasty...exploding snail cells and such). For that reason alone, I hire crabs first Blue legged and Scarlet hermit crabs. I also use emerald crabs (mythrax) but others are afraid of them. I've never had one behave badly.
When adding snails, after the tank is stable, you should "match the hatch". Don't get snails that eat green algae (Turbinidae, Trochidae, Cerithiidae & Astraeinae), until you have some algae starting in the system on the glass, rock or sand. Don't get ones that eat meaty foods, like Nassarius, until you begin feeding the system in earnest It's as easy as that.
When I stock snails, I go for a mix of traditional mexican turbos and astreas. Astreas are NOT my favorite. If they fall over, they can quickly become food to the hermit crabs. If you can find some "banded trochus", you'll be better off. They are built like the whimpy astreas, but they have a black foot, and are stronger, and can right themselves if they fall, shell first into the sand. I also use nassarius. Just love em My "night of the living dead" snails. They stay buried in the sand with their siphons sticking out, and when food hits the water, "wham" they come up like zombies from the graves They do a great job of stirring the top layer of sand, and find ANY AND ALL scraps of food or detritus left in those hard to get places.
Ah..and speaking about "hard to get places". I employ a serpent star to help me keep my rocks void of rotting matter. They are great for this. You DO have to target feed them from time to time as they fumble around blindly searching for food, and often don't get their fair share. I pass shrimp or cubes of "formula" products to it once a week or so.
I steer away from cucumbers and such, as they can really ruin the water if they are grumpy. Something as simple as being picked on by another tank mate, or a drastic swing in water quality and whammo..they release their guts and other toxins and make a mess.
I do keep peppermint and skunk cleaners, but they too are skittish when it comes to water quality. Best to wait until the system is stable there.
) But I realized this morning that the tank is starting to smell. It's not an obnoxious smell, but it's not particularly nice. Is it simply the fact that it's a new tank and the smell is from 
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
