First post here
I've had some freshwater tanks of increasing size for a few years and was sort of half-heartedly thinking about getting into saltwater when a friend recently gave (!) us their tank and everything with it.
Hardware-wise, it is a 55 gallon with a Fluval filter/pump underneath, a CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer, a powerhead, heater, Deep Blue Solar Extreme lights with Deep Blue T5 lights (4) (I plan to replace the bulbs soon as I understand there are much better options out there).
In terms of critters, it came with a couple shrimp (I think), some turbos, some crabs, a big brittle sea star, and a spotted cardinalfish. We have added three green chromis. I plan to get a buddy for the cardinalfish and then a clownfish.
Background of the tank - they had paid someone to come advise them and take care of every couple of weeks, but they lost faith in him as he didn't seem competent and they kept losing critters. I think they got irritated by it and sort of lost interest.
The moving process was incredibly stressful because it was rushed (they wanted it out of the house, and of course for a free tank we wanted to oblige) but I managed it in about six hours (breakdown to up and running and stocked). I managed to transport about 35 gallons of their water and added some new mix. Only real change was that I replaced the crush coral substrate with live sand.
Anyway, my questions:
[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/2zs3f4o.jpg[/IMG]
Can someone ID this for me? I changed the live rock arrangement and they get more light and more water flow, and even in a few days I notice they are bursting out. What a difference.
[IMG]http://i46.*******.com/jhx7p0.jpg[/IMG]
And this? I have no idea what it is. When only the actinic lights are on the "buds" glow greenish. Pretty cool.
[IMG]http://i49.*******.com/2hmf3ev.jpg[/IMG]
As you can see, this is not working correctly. I'm not sure that it was set up right when we got it. (I have no saltwater experience so it was just another piece of humming equipment.) The directions online leave a tremendous amount to be desired. From reading I believe the column on the right ought to be nice and bubbly, but it isn't (what appears to be bubbles is only dried salt), and I really don't know what I should start adjusting to get it working correctly.
Anyway, sorry for the babbling, and I greatly appreciate any advice
Dave