Newbie To Salt Water Aquariums

[Tank2379]

Thanks for the Info..... I will start it with Dry Aragamax Sand as recommended by some fellow AA members then i will start with adding Fully Cured Rock.....

 

[Tank2379]

So I am having really bad issue with direct Sunlight and the Direct light with or without a Background cover and the window is my only option of placing my tank due to space in my apartment any way I add the black background I'm still receiving an extensive amount of sunlight right into my tank and Windows are very high and the sun still beams right into my tank.... Now I know it's a no no to have my SW tank next to a window because` of the high Algae that builds up but I guess this is my down fall is my wife won't let me put anything to over the sun light even with shade closed I still receive light I have no clue what to due about this issue I'm having..... Any ideas and what should be done or what I can do to prevent high Algae growing in my tank? Well i posted a Picture so you could see what i am talking about

 

[roka64]

Well, the "boss" has decreed so you will just have to make do. I would definitely add a background, at least that will reduce some of the ambient light.

 

[Tank2379]

Thanks Roka..... Now since I will be adding my background it will reduce but not by much Should I still get a High Output Lighting since I'm getting a little more ambient light in my tank?

 

[MCluett]

maybe you could look into getting different blind or curtains. something you could open one side but leave te side by the tank down to further redue the light directly on the tank

 

[roka64]

That's a good question. You will have to take into account the possible addition of corals, and the amount of light during the spring, winter and fall months. I could be wrong but that ambient light might not be enough for all corals.

 

[Tank2379]

Yeah it's up to the "BOSS" shes all about her windows since we just moved in and we were living in a Basement with no windows before moving in....LOL.... We lived in the dark....

 

[Tank2379]

That's a good question. You will have to take into account the possible addition of corals, and the amount of light during the spring, winter and fall months. I could be wrong but that ambient light might not be enough for all corals.

Right.... Cause i will want corals in the future just not now.... I'm just wondering on the lighting situation everyone want alot of high output light but if sunlight works why not how do they get there light in the wild? not trying to be sarcastic just if i can cut corners not spending and arm and a leg on lighting the sun is my only option...LOL... Not really but i guess if i have to I will get some good lighting.....

 

[roka64]

I understand what you are saying, but I am not a light pro or reefer. We may have to wait till one of those folks chime in.

 

[Ziggy953]

I would also put a background on the tank. Sunlight is great for corals in the wild but not in a closed system like our tanks.

If you aren't worried about getting corals any time soon stick with the lighting you have.

When you are ready to go reef then you will need to look at getting better lighting. I personally prefer MH over other types of lighting but it all depends on what you want to keep. I have an SPS dominated reef and they require high lighting. If you are wanting to do a few SPS then you could easily have a nice reef with T5s.

I have a combination of MH, VHO and T5 on my tank, but as I said I have a lot of SPS corals.

 

[Tank2379]

Prime Smells

I have a Bottle of prime Water Conditioner I used it once or twice and I just notice it smells pretty bad is it suppose to smell really Bad???

 

[spilzer]

It's totally normal for Prime to smell strongly of sulfur. It smells like rotten eggs.

 

[Tank2379]

My First Cycle Readings

Hey guys I took my First Cycle Readings today I had the Shrimp in for about 3 days or so and right now my readings are

Ammonia 0.50 ppm
Nitrate 0.0 ppm
Nitrite 0.0 ppm
PH Level 8.2 ppm
Water Temp- 79.6

I also have my Skimmer and Fluval Filter running I also have my Media also inside my canister filter should I remove them and put in LR Rubble for replacement?

 

[Tank2379]

From the Begining to Now...

Alright just a few pick of the progression

8.15.08

8.19.08

My first day of Fully Cured Rock 8.27.2009

9.05.08

today 9.10.08

The Diatom looks like it's taking over....

Just a Close up on what's growing on my LR... 9.10.08

Hope you like them..... and the Progress.....

 

[roka64]

That's awesome! That rock is beautiful!

 

[Tank2379]

That's awesome! That rock is beautiful!

Thanks

 

[austinsdad]

Targeting maybe 3 times that much rock? Looking good so far. Got some nice lookig pcs. Consider base rock too. Much cheaper and it will look like the rest of it before long.

 

[Tank2379]

Targeting maybe 3 times that much rock? Looking good so far. Got some nice lookig pcs. Consider base rock too. Much cheaper and it will look like the rest of it before long.

Thanks
I got about 30LBs on order at least so what I have now would Seed the rest....

 

[Ziggy953]

Yes! Very good looking rock! The base rock will be seeded by the rock you already have.

 

[Tank2379]

Update 9.22.08

Just a little update I added my Clowns and 1 4 striped Damsel black and White....

My Crappy Skimmer Set up for now....

Well my 30LBs of base rock never showed up which I was upset Luckily I got my refund back... Got it from ebay Seller Stated he ran out.... I order 6 lbs of fiji rock off of ebay..... Which was very nice.... So but for now I am just going to deal with what I have.... But next week i might actually go into my LFS and pick up only 10LBs of Base rock and see how that works.... and my skimmer I would have to deal with until I have the money to actually buy a good HOB..... Well hope u like the update..... and me fihes....