My tank now and can anyone ID this

[thincat]

Unless it's ppm then you have got to raise it a bit, Tell us which way you are reading the gauge, Do you have a refractometer or a hydrometer?

 

[Punkroc701]

Ok here are my readings:
Salinity: 30 (1.022)
Amonea: 0
Nitrate: 20
Nitrite: 0
Alkalinity: 300
pH: 8.4

I need a better test system this is using the paper strips.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Mitchell0605]

Ahh good it's 30ppm. Yeah as TC says you want that at around 35ppm which is standard ocean water.

 

[Punkroc701]

Hydrometer. I am looking into the refractometer, but for now using the Hydrometer. I was debating on pushing it a little higher, but I thought with the evaporation the salinity would jump up to fast and had no idea what that would do to the tank inhabitants.

 

[thincat]

What's the temp. of that 5g?

 

[Punkroc701]

I knew I was forgetting something. I have a thermometer in there and it is reading in the green I want to say 70 or 80 degrees. I know that is a huge difference but it is in that area I know. I have a 15w heater and before that the light heated it enough.

 

[thincat]

On such a small tank, evaporation is a big problem. I would put a piece of electrical tape at the normal water level of your tank so that at a glance you can see if the water level is correct and add fresh water as needed.

 

[Punkroc701]

TC,

Already ahead of you there, I have a spot on my tank that when it gets to that point Itest the salinity and add water. I do this every 3 to 4 days. thanks for the heads up on that though.

 

[Mitchell0605]

Good idea.

 

[thincat]

I got tired of that real fast and now use and ATO (automatic top off) by bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Punkroc701]

Well I am trying to do as much DIY stuff as I can and since this is such a small tank and a learn in process kind of thing as much as I can learn on the way the better. I will hold off on the easy way for a bit longer to help me learn more as I go.
So anyway I got my CUC today. I got 4 Hermit Crabs, and an Emerald crab. While I was adding them in I noticed I had something else that has to have been in the tank since I got my LR. I seem to have had a starfish in there. I saw it on my heater tonight. I maybe a bit to excited about it but hey it was cool to see.
I am going to hold off about 2 weeks to get anything else for the tank (if I decide to add anything else at all to this one) and get working on my larger tank. I am debating the size and shape now which I will go into in one of my other blogs on here.

Thank you all for the help you have given so far. I hope you will all give advise as I continue this process.

 

[Mitchell0605]

Sweet. Hope you have more questions so we can give advice.

 

[Punkroc701]

Well here is something maybe you guys can help with, I am looking into making a canopy for my upcoming tank. I have found a few T5 fixtures and I have found a few not specificly for aquariums. I am curiouse if the T5 fixtures at found at Lowe's and Home Depot will work with the T5 HO bulbs.

 

[thincat]

I think not, but you have to check on the fixture because it will state what type of bulbs it takes. It shoud state the wattage of the bulbd. ie a 4' fixture for HO would state 54W bulbs,etc. I can't recall the other sizes, but you can just find your size and cross reference the HO lamps for it with the ones at Lowes and Home Depot.

 

[Punkroc701]

TC,

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if they could handle the HO or not. I did however find a couple other lights I like on line and am thinking of going that route instead. Thanks again.