Couple questions about new tank

[weisshole]

I started about a month and a half ago, after saving for a very long time and doing research. My tank took just about 4 weeks to cycle (37 gal btw) thanks to the help of alot of live rock that came out of an exsiting tank. I have about 30 lbs of live rock and 65 gal Coralife super skimmer and a maxi-jet powerhead. I also have a peguine 250. I was curiosus about removing the 250 and just running with the skimmer and adding a few more pounds of live rock, my local lfs says running both wouldn't hurt. Also I am curious about feeding my livestock. When researching different fish they say feed 2 or 3 times a day, but I'm not home to feed that much is feeding once a day going to hurt. BTW I started with 2 clown fish and a small tang.

I forgot to add I am doing a FOWLR tank

[Agu]

[welcome]

Running the penguin for flow would be fine but I'd recommend you remove the biowheel if it's going to be a reef tank.


I'm a believer in heavier feeding than most. Your clowns will do better with multiple small feedings a day, even if it's ony an hour or two apart, Tangs are herbivores and graze all day because their food is low in nutrition. A feeding clip with nori/sushi wrap in the morning in addition to the after work feedings would be a good idea.


BTW, A tang will outgrow a 37 pretty fast, but that's another discussion.

[bertoni]

[welcome]

The tank should have at least 370 gph of flow, IMO. The skimmer produces little flow, since it's pumping mostly air. What's the ratings for your two powerheads? I assume the Maxi-Jet and the Penguin are separate from the skimmer.

Adding a few pounds of live rock sounds like a fine idea, but you could along without it if you keep your stocking levels in line.

I feed phytoplankton to my tanks to try to keep some amphipods and copepods around for live food. I think that helps reduce the feeding issue. You could also get an automatic feeder, but once a day for the clowns is fine.

The tang should probably have an algae sheet clipped into the tank. It will outgrow your system pretty rapidly.

[weisshole]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not planning on trying to do a reef tank any time soon in this tank. I did buy some seaweed and a clip for the tang. I questioned the lfs store on the tang, but he said if I buy him small I can stunt his growth, but if he grows to fast they would take him back. My lfs has been great to work with. Has anyone had any experinces with autofeeders do they work well?

[weisshole]

Yes the I have the peguin is on the other side of the tank from the skimmer, with the powerhead. the powerhead is rated at 295 gph and it is push water towards the center of the tank.

[bertoni]

Okay, I think I'm understanding. The Pengiun is a hang-on filter, right? I don't use them, but you could use it to run activated carbon and add a little more circulation. That's be a good way to go. You could probably go without it if you want, though.

[weisshole]

sorry, I was a little vauge. Yes it is a hang on filter with a bio wheel.

[bertoni]

Personally, I would not run the bio-wheel, but you probably want to leave it for now, or make a plan for removing it. If it's just yanked, the tank might see an ammonia spike.

I wouldn't count on "stunting" a tang to produce a healthy animal, personally.

[weisshole]

Thanks for all the replys. I think I am going to call LFS this weekend and trade it on some smaller fish. Any good suggestions? I want to stay away from damsels, except some green chromis.

[PatMayo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6637032#post6637032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
I feed phytoplankton to my tanks to try to keep some amphipods and copepods around for live food.


Pardon me, can I get a quick question in here for Jonathan? I didn't know you have to feed these critters. How long will they live without feeding and is the food just something that you put in the water. I have not used this food product before.

If you could give a brief synopsis of the husbandry for these guys I would appreciate it. I plan to make my 90 a reef and would like those types of critters in my tank.

Regards,

Pat

[bertoni]

You don't have to add extra food for copepods and amphipods. If you do add food, though, you'll get more of them. Personally, I'm feeding DT's phytoplankton, which is a refrigerated product. I've also used BioPlankton from LiquidLife, which is a freezer (cryopaste) product. Both work, but the DT's is a little more forgiving of overfeeding since it's a live food.

If you choose to dose phytoplankton, start with a light dose, work up, and back off if you get a phytoplankton bloom.

[PatMayo]

What is a phytoplankton bloom? I probably wouldn't recognize it I saw it. The question sounds like a dumb I know but????

Do you purchase this online or is it available at a decent "reef" store?

Regards,

Pat

[bertoni]

Sorry, I really meant a cyanobacteria-red-slime bloom. It's unlikely you'll see a phytoplankton bloom, but that'll be green water in the tank.

[PatMayo]

What brand do you use Jonathan?

Pat

[BMitch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6637085#post6637085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by weisshole
Has anyone had any experinces with autofeeders do they work well?

I have an Eheim and it works great, except you have to have a ledge around the tank to mount the autofeeder. I have an acrylic tank so that is not a problem.

[bertoni]

For phytoplankton, the products I've tried and liked are DT's, LiquidLife BioPlankton, and Phyto-Feast.

[PatMayo]

Thank You Jonathan,

Pat

[93GTCANADA]

how much are these autofeeders going for. in canadian $ lol.