35g new tank, any suggestions?

[crg0107]

tank:18(L)"x18"(W)x24(H) 5 weeks old
Sump 5g plastic bin
Euro-reef RS-80
1xMag 5 (190gph)
1xTunze 6025 (660gph)
1x150HQI 14500KGiesemann Nova II (10hrs/day)
20 lbs live rock
Salt: Instant Ocean
Top off/water changes: RO/DI

PH: 7.9-8.2
SG: 1.026
temperature:80F
KH: 11.2dH
Ca: 460 ppm
Nitrate: 5-10 ppm
Nitrite and ammonia: 0 (test by my friend 2 week ago)

Fish: 2 Clown - Percula and 1 Blenny - Lawnmower
Coral: 2 acropora; 1 monti; 1 xenia

Additive used: nothing so far
Feeding: just normal fish food

[BLKTANG]

Welcome to RC.

What would u like a suggestion for??

[crg0107]

Actually I want to keep sps in this tank, but not sure if I'm on the right track.
Is my light intensity strong enough for acropora?
Do I have the the enough live rock to filter the water?
Is my water current ok for SPS?
What shall I feed my coral?
Is my fish load ok?
Because my tank is too new, I'm even afraid I put Acropora in my tank to soon,so is there anything I need to do or pay attention to in order to help them settle down? and when they will start to grow?
Thanks!
Kyle

[crg0107]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/79797PICT0001.JPG

[BLKTANG]

It appears that u already have 2 acro's.

How long have u had them?

How old is the tank?

[crg0107]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/79797PICT0025.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/79797PICT0030.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/79797PICT0033.JPG http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/79797PICT0008.JPG

[crg0107]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9649579#post9649579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLKTANG
It appears that u already have 2 acro's.

How long have u had them?

How old is the tank?

I bought these 2 acropora on last sunday, they only been in my tank for 3 days.

My tank is 5 weeks old:)

[crg0107]

Now my acroporas are in photoacclimation, I know they don't like being moved around, so I just glue them to their final locations and put 2 transparent sheets on top of my tank. It's been 3 days and today I took off a sheet, I plan to take off the last sheet this weekend, and lower my HQI next weekend. Is my potoacclimatin too long? I'm wondering if 2 weeks of week lighting is too harsh for acros.

[joeycadre]

i'd put a back ground on the tank. black.

[the_anti_honda]

I agree with the back ground in black.

[Serioussnaps]

Here are my suggestions:

-get a bigger sump
-more flow....i would add another tunze or 2.....you have app. 850 gph...i would aim for about 1700...so double your flow
-Whats the height? it looks like a very tall tank, in which case i would think the light is on the weak side
-how did you get your calcium to 460 using Instant Ocean without adding anything?

I wouldnt paint it black...i like the idea of viewing from all sides when the tank fills out.

[crg0107]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9652001#post9652001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Serioussnaps
Here are my suggestions:

-get a bigger sump
-more flow....i would add another tunze or 2.....you have app. 850 gph...i would aim for about 1700...so double your flow
-Whats the height? it looks like a very tall tank, in which case i would think the light is on the weak side
-how did you get your calcium to 460 using Instant Ocean without adding anything?

I wouldnt paint it black...i like the idea of viewing from all sides when the tank fills out.

I really want to get a biger sump so I can get more water volume and in the same time put a better bubble trap in it so I get rid of the cotton bag. But my cabinet is small 20"x20"x30".

I plan to add 1 or 2 more tunze 6025, I think I can get them 2 weeks later.

The height is 24", that's why I'm worring about my lightning. Actually buying that 150Giesemann is a big mistake.But if I chang it to 250 gonna cost me another $400. I check out reefkeep.com, I find this one which is with 150HQI and has very beautiful SPS.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/totm/index.php
I just wanna give it a shot before I upgrade my light.

for the calcium, I have no idea how i can get 460ppm, but my hagen test kit told me 460ppm. Shall I change my test kit?

[BLKTANG]

a 10g sump should fit like a glove.

[crg0107]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9650746#post9650746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joeycadre
i'd put a back ground on the tank. black.

I tried it before, but it makes the tank look small. So, I placed my rocks in the middle and I left both sides empty, now it look much bigger.

[crg0107]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9652834#post9652834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLKTANG
a 10g sump should fit like a glove.

I'll make a acrylic sump. I'm just fed up with the plastic bin and cotton bag. I also plan to add a float valve so I can get stable water level in my sump.

[crg0107]

Any can give me some idea for the bubble trap?

[crg0107]

today I just add 2 more 6025, now the water current is muuuuuuuuuuch stronger than before. I hope my clownfish and can take it.

[crg0107]

It feels like my acroporas start to get pale. Is it somthing wrong or it just normal when they settle down in new tank?

[proboscis]

get a 2 PART CALCIUM/ ALKALINITY esv is a great product, dose equal amounts to keep levels where they need to be

[crg0107]

now my got
KH: 11.2dH
Ca: 460 ppm
I
If my ca and KH is fine, my acroporas will be ok?