MY FIRST REEF!!!!

[FirstTimeReef]

finally figured out how to make somepictures available for you all. This isthe tank I "inherited", it's home tofrogspawn coral, a bubble coral, snails, lot'sof hermits, a lawnmower bleenie, and an emerald crab...they are all in the process of removing algae created by the tank's original owner. Oh yeah, there is a devils hand leather as well, he's not doing so hot, he's shrunk a bit. Everything else is great. PH is around 8.2-8.4, the nitrite is nil, the nitrate .25....the ammonia is nil....QUESTIONS....is protein skimmer imperative? Howshould I be timing my lights??? I have coralife48in with 10000Kdaylight andblue actinic.

Check out the pics and please give any and all advice, much appreciated.

Jason

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/FirstTimeReef/DSC00727-1.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/FirstTimeReef/DSC00728-1.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/FirstTimeReef/DSC00729-1.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/FirstTimeReef/DSC00734-1.jpg

 

[lando]

PH is around 8.2-8.4, the nitrite is nil, the nitrate .25....the ammonia is nil....

Please define "nil". Any detectable NO2 or NH3 is toxic to livestock. SInce the tank was recently moved, there was most likely a disturbance in the biological filtration. Several water changes are your best defense. Make sure you use well aged and aerated SW.

is protein skimmer imperative?

Not imperative but highly recommended. IT is well worth saving up for and getting one.

Howshould I be timing my lights??? I have coralife48in with 10000Kdaylight andblue actinic.

Most here use a 10-12 hour photo period. You can set your actinics to turn on one hour before your daylights and turn off one hour after your daylights.

 

[melosu58]

Nice tank , First Time. As Lando said the skimmer is an important piece. A skimmer along with your LR is all you will need for your filtration needs