My first SW tank

[TankU_BerryMuch]

Hello All,
I received a BC29 and currently have it stocked with about 17lbs of LR, 10 hermets, a few snails, a sally lightfoot, a chromis and 1 clown. I have previously been testing the water once a week and prior to the introduction of the fish all tests were as follows:
pH = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
Calcium = 360-380
Carbonite = 161-179
Salinity was 1.026 i believe
water temp is 84 degrees

I just added the fish, sally lightfoot and snails tonight on the recommendation of a friend and hope that isnt overkill yet. There is plenty of room in the tank as I have no corals, but that is the plan for the near future.

question 1 - Should I continue to test once a week, or should I do so twice a week now since the introduction of the added fish?

question 2 - I am running the lights about 12 hours currently with the first hour under the Actinic, the next 10 hours with the daylight, and the last hour with the Actinic again. Is this too much or too little? And should I go ahead and upgrade the lights now while thinking of the reef in mind later on?

Thanks all in advance for any help you can provide.

[Phurst]

I believe I would test twice a week at a minimum for the next couple of weeks just to be on the safe side. I'd also keep some mixed SW nearby in case you need to do a quick water change.

Since there are currently no corals in the tank, there's no need to have the lights on that long. You certainly can if you wish, but there's nothing depending on the light right now, so you can adjust your photperiod as you wish. Having the lights on 12 hours a day may be contributing to your heat problem. 84 degrees is, IMO, on the razors edge. I would not let the tank get ANY warmer, and would prefer it be closer to 80 degrees.

[TankU_BerryMuch]

Thanks Phurst. I'll do that. I was thinking that I may have to get a chiller or something to bring the temp down. I do have about 10-15 gallons of SW handy for changes.
Once I add corals and maybe anemones (I know I will likely need a light upgrade before that and was planning for this sometime around 4 months from now) I know the lighting should be more intense; should I maintain the 80 degree temp?
I am a total newb when it comes to reef tanks (in fact SW tanks in general) and likely haven't read near enough

[Phurst]

Not a problem, we love answering questions.

Yes, you will definitely need a serious light upgrade if youre planing to keep an anemone. Not only do they require bright lighting, but they also require very stable conditions. Please don't rush into buying one until you are VERY comfortable keeping the tank not only within acceptable parameters as far as water condition, but very stable conditions as well. This means you'll need an ATO system to replenish water as it evaporates so you don't get a swing in salinity, stable temp around 80 degrees, very low to no nitrates, very little variation in pH, etc. Keeping an anemone is a nano system can be quite challenging. I just want you to know what you're getting into.

[Skurvey Dog]

Hello David and to TR! That is a very witty username. I like it. Phurst has given you some excellent advice about watching your water parameters and lighting, just be sure to always 'top off" with your fresh water and only use the salt water for water changes. I see your salinity is just a hair too high. You'll also need a supply of your ro/di water ready and waiting for top offs too. I hope you are enjoying your tank so far and I look forward to hearing more about your wish list for future additions.

[CarmieJo]

Hi TankU and to TR!

How long has your tank been set up? Do keep a close eye on your parameters. You only have about 1/2 the suggested amount of LR and you added a bunch of livestock all at once. If you see the ammonia or nitrite creeping up at all be prepared to do water changes in order to manage it.

[jim t]

I keep the feeding door open all the time to help
with the heat(watch out for jumpers). The more
water evaporates it alows the heat to escape.
doing this you will have to add more top off water.

[veriann]

tanks_alot, oh ibeg_yourpudding, sausage about that, Tanku_berrymuch welcome to TR bud!

[veriann]

tell me what he's won Bob, well V, he's very own drive-by-posting...yeah!

where did you g?

[keith p]

Out and Gone

[Skurvey Dog]

Well TankU_BerryMuch, you have been warmly accepted into our circle of reefers, even from our "up-side-down Down Under" members. How are your water quality tests going and what did you decide on your lights?