Adding Coral

[Neptune013]

I have an established 30g tank with 70lbs of live rock, a Hang on skimmer and fluval filtration system. I have about 8 fishes in my tank and a cleaning crew. I was thinking about adding coral to add some color. I've been told that iodine is very important for coral to thrive. Is this true...cause i've read that iodine in water is bad. Im just a little confused. Thanks!

[kau_cinta_ku]

[welcome]

1st thing is never add anything to your tank unless your testing for it. the main things you may need to add are cal. alk., and mag. all the other stuff will be added when doing your normal water changes.

what type of fish? and what are your parameters?

[Toddrtrex]

IMO, if you do regular water changes there is no need to dose iodine.

And I agree with Sam about not dosing unless you test for it.

[S_Stoney_S]

Iodine dip before you add them to the tank can be usefull to remove unwanted hitchikers. But get the concentration right.

[Neptune013]

I do water changes about every three weeks

salinity is at .22
ph is at .01

I have never checked for calcium, alkinility and magnesium. I will check those tonight and let you know my findings. Thanks

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11026104#post11026104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Neptune013
I do water changes about every three weeks

salinity is at .22
ph is at .01

I have never checked for calcium, alkinility and magnesium. I will check those tonight and let you know my findings. Thanks

I hope those are typos. That salinity is way too high if it isn't a typo -- but I am assuming that you mean 1.022, which is a little low in my opinion -- I would shoot for 1.025 or 1.026.

Before you start adding corals you will need to check the levels.

Cal around 400
Alk -- 3 or 8-9 (( depending on unit of measure ))
Mag -- 1200 - 1500

are good targets.

[Neptune013]

i have two Ocelleris clowns, small yellow tang, sm blue hippo, yellowtail damsil, three stripe damsel, spotted damsel and a anthias not sure the name.

sorry about the parameters

nitrate is .01
ph is 8.2

Im still working on the reef lingo

[kau_cinta_ku]

oh boy those tangs should not be in a 30 gal. IMO I would trade them back to the LFS they need alot bigger tank

[uscharalph]

You've probably got too many fish in that 30 gallon. You should already be planning a much larger tank for those Tangs.

[kau_cinta_ku]

also between the damsels they will get very territorial and mean to others

[Neptune013]

The guy at the LFS said that they would do ok in my tank. They seem happy. I'm plan to get a 90 gallon in two months and switch them out once the 90 is setup. Todd, thanks for those numbers to look out for. I'll work on that tonight.

[kau_cinta_ku]

not to sound rude but most LFS will always say a fish will do fine in any tank just to get a sale. it would be like me saying that great white shark will be perfect for your 125 gal. tank. but the 90 gal. will help out alot.

[Reefer07]

With all the fish and the fluval filtration system which I am assuming is a canister...you might be housing a nitrate farm ahaha.....lots of fish and canister filter = high nitrates which = no good for corals.

[Neptune013]

Should i get rid of my canister filter system? I have a remora skimmer sized for a 75g. Is the Skimmer good enough for my 30g?
I figured that a filtration system would be good also since i had it home laying aroung doing nothing...:confused:

[kau_cinta_ku]

the skimmer is good. the fluval should be ok for just running carbon through it but I would clean it out every 2 weeks.

the main parts of your filtration is the skimmer and LR

[cmejaf30]

Yea way too much livestock for that tank. One tang would be ok until it got big. IMO if you are going to keep all that livestock I would go up to a 120 or 180 if you can...the more room the better. If you are going to do a 90 make sure you do it right and build a refugium for it. Skip the mechanical filtration (except the skimmer) and just build a sump...you'll thank yourself later.

[Neptune013]

Sounds like I found a great forum where I can expand my hobby. Thanks for all the great info...Looking forward to all your help in the future. I will start working on getting my parameters where they need to be for some corals. Happy reefing to all!!!!

[specopsteam]

kau_cinta_ku is right about the LFS, they will sell you anything not just fish! when i started my first SW tank which was a 55 gal they sold me a UGF,Canister and HOB filter. They told me that Skimmers were bad. They told me that my Niger Trigger would be find with my other tankmates, which wasnt true being he and my moon wrasse ate my fav hermit crab. I have found that the best thing to do is research what they are telling you before you buy from them. It will save you sooooo much money. Ive spent almost 4000 dollors on my 55 gal which is CRAZY!!!!