Questions

[joshallan86]

Okay, I understand that I have chosen fish that will eventually get too big for my system, which I will deal with at that time, but I'm looking for some advice. I have the 29 Gallon Oceanic BioCube and was looking into adding the protein skimmer that they have made for the system. Has anyone had any good results from this product?, or had any bad results?. Also, I'm trying to learn as much information as I can about caring for corals. What are some effective ways of feeding/spot feeding corals and what supplements do you use? What is a Kalkwaser (spelling). I also live in Tampa, fL and I would like to learn about local frag swaps, if any, that are going on around here. My passion for this hobby has recently turned into an Obsession, and I welcome any information or help form this site, maybe even make some new friends. I have posted a few pictures of my setup, It has been running since October of 2007, so its fairly new. Feel free to post pictures of your nano setups, its fun to see how other people make use of their space.

Sincerely, Josh

[joshallan86]

really, Nobody has any kind of information of help that they can provide me with? Anything will help.

[Reefer07]

I heard the oceanic skimmers are OK. If you have a lot of Live rock don't be too concerned about a skimmer unless you really want to mod something. It looks like your tank is doing decent aside from your stocking as you pointed out. Those fish might be worth something so you could even trade them in at an LFS.

Anyways, Kalwasser I believe is your top-off system that adds alkalinity and calcium into the water. It is usually put into the tank through a drip system.
As far as coral care I would make sure you alkalinity and calcium are in check. I have had success at keeping my parameters in check along with my alkalinity and calcium being used up daily for the past week. I have only had my tank set up for a month and some of my base rock already has spots of coralline on it.

I have also been reading a lot about light lately and I have learned that it isn't the power or quality of your lights so much but morso how it is hitting the water. Don't get me wrong there are better quality lights but there are many other factors that decide how much your lighting will effect your tank. In this I mean make sure your top is clean if you have a glass top. Also, you have to think about water movement at the surface. I have even read that as your water gets dirty it yellows which in turn refracts light differently.

Those are just some simple things to start with. We could help a lot if you just put some specific questions or checked out some of the other forum sections.

Hope that helped a little-
Zac

[joshallan86]

Thanks for the info, it was very helpful. The lighting aspect of your post opened my eyes to something i never thought about as far as the yellow water refracting the light differently. Thanks!
Josh

[ducklabdad]

I would suggest that you look at the back issues of RK magazine here on the ReefCentral site and read the articles by Randy Holmes Farley on Reef Chenistry.

It is a lot lot of reading but very well worth it. He has one article specifically on Kalkwasser, and the articles and the thread on Randys 2 part http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1271282

These were of more help to me that anything else I have read..

Good luck and i will watch your build.

would help you

[2slo4me]

as reefer said the oceanic nano skimmers are pretty decent. just remember to change the air stone monthly.

ive had mine in my 20 gallon nano for over a month now and my water parameters stay on point.

best of luck.

[phenom5]

Originally posted by joshallan86
Okay, I understand that I have chosen fish that will eventually get too big for my system, which I will deal with at that time, but I'm looking for some advice. I have the 29 Gallon Oceanic BioCube and was looking into adding the protein skimmer that they have made for the system. Has anyone had any good results from this product?, or had any bad results?. Also, I'm trying to learn as much information as I can about caring for corals. What are some effective ways of feeding/spot feeding corals and what supplements do you use? What is a Kalkwaser (spelling). I also live in Tampa, fL and I would like to learn about local frag swaps, if any, that are going on around here. My passion for this hobby has recently turned into an Obsession, and I welcome any information or help form this site, maybe even make some new friends. I have posted a few pictures of my setup, It has been running since October of 2007, so its fairly new. Feel free to post pictures of your nano setups, its fun to see how other people make use of their space.

Sincerely, Josh

Josh,

I have no experience with that skimmer, so I can't help you there.

As far as coral care goes. In my tank, I dose a 2 part additive (B-ionic) which helps maintain Ca & Alk levels. Kalkwasser, which is German for lime water is something that helps maintain elevated Ca & Alk levels. It's very potent stuff, so it's added as part of a systems top off, in small amounts. Essential the Kalk is added to the water, part of it settles and the water on top is what is added to the aquarium. With either of those, it's important to test you Ca & Alk and adjust your dosing based on the test results. I dose & then test the next morning, and then dose based on my test results.

I looked through your pics, I don't see any corals that need or would benefit that much from direct target feeding. But FYI, when I target feed I use freeze-dried Mysis shrimp. I break it up into really small pieces, then rehydrate it with some tank water & selcon. Then shortly after the lights go out, I shut off all the flow in the tank and spot feed with a turkey baster.

Here's the Tampa Bay Reef Club. Reef clubs are great, you can get corals & equipment for cheap, and most importantly, there are always plenty of knowledgable reefers that are looking to help other members out.

Hope this helps.

[El Camaron]

I had that skimmer for a few weeks, did nothing for me. I then bought the CPR SR3 which ican not say anything bad about it, its a work horse and i am always having to empty the skimming cup.

I have the B-ionic for dosing but have only used it maybe 4 times in a month. Use a turkey baster for target feeding, and when doing so try a mixture of vitamin enriched missy shrimp and coral frenzy, my tank goes nuts every time i use it.

[joshallan86]

Thank You Phenom5 I found your post very helpful. I guess i was under the impression that i had to spot feed my candy corals if thats what the green ones are called. Thanks for the information and the link.
Josh

[phenom5]

Originally posted by joshallan86
Thank You Phenom5 I found your post very helpful. I guess i was under the impression that i had to spot feed my candy corals if thats what the green ones are called. Thanks for the information and the link.
Josh

The candy cane corals would probably take some meaty foods, and spot feeding them may improve growth and feeder tentacle extention, but they will also do okay without feeding. Euphyllias (frogspawn-green coral in the upper left) will also (reportedly) take meaty foods, but I have several euphyllias (frogspawn, hammer, torch) currently, and have had several in the past, and none of them seemed the least bit interested in any food that I've given them. They still grow quickly with a steady diet of light & Ca.

Also, I know you said you've got plans to remove the tang down the road, but you may want to think about doing that sooner rather then later. They grow quickly, and require more swimming/ grazing room then you can provide in your tank. Not trying to be the tang police, just something to think about. I'd see if there is a LFS that'll take him as a trade, or see if a local reefer is looking for a tang.

[DrBegalke]

also, do not dose anything you aren't testing for/monitoring levels of...

i.e. Do not just add B-ionic without testing for Ca/alk...

[joshallan86]

Can I take a water sample to have them test for calcium levels? What is the importance of calcium in the tank and how does it effect corals directly? Also, is there a way to tell when you need to replace the light bulbs in the tank, or the heater or pumps? Also if any one knows anyone that is selling a bigger tank, I'm really intersted in upgrading to a bigger tank but dont have the money to spend all at once. I appreciate all the help and information that you guys are providing.
josh

[phenom5]

Can I take a water sample to have them test for calcium levels?

Yes...but, unless you want to make a trip to the LFS daily, you'd be better off getting your own kits. As DrBegal said, don't dose anything that you don't test for. Daily to start out, until you get a good feel for your tank, and how to dose it accordingly, then you can back off to about once a week.

What is the importance of calcium in the tank and how does it effect corals directly?

Ca is important for hard corals (LPS & SPS) because they use it to grow their skeleton.

Also, is there a way to tell when you need to replace the light bulbs in the tank, or the heater or pumps?

Different bulbs last for different amounts of time. PC's ~6mos, MH ~1year, and I'm not too sure about T5's. Pumps should last for awhile, once every couple of months I take out any pumps, give them a good cleaning.

Also if any one knows anyone that is selling a bigger tank, I'm really intersted in upgrading to a bigger tank but dont have the money to spend all at once.

Local club, or craig's list would be a good place to keep an eye out for a new tank.

[joshallan86]

do elements like calcium get replenished by doing water changes? Also I'm getting mixed information about the bioballs that came with my system. Should I leave them or take them out?

[phenom5]

Many trace elements, and things like calcium do get replenished by doing water changes, but different salt mixes, and different batches of salt mixes may have different levels, and may not have high enough levels. Instant ocean, as an example generally test out at about 350 ppm for calcium IME, where as Reef Crystals tends to be around 400 ppm which is better, but still not quite there.

IMO, take out the bioballs. They can become detritus traps, and end up causing elevated nitrate levels.

[joshallan86]

okay, I think I will remove the bioballs. How many fish should I have in my 29 gallon if I want it to be a reef tank? Currently I have: 1 yellow tang, 1 hippo tang, 1 true percula clown (spelling?), 1 six line wrase, 1 sand sifting star, 1 cleaner shrimp and probably around 8 hermit crabs.

[joshallan86]

It almost seems like I have too many fish in my tank huh?

[joshallan86]

I'm curious to find out everyones favorite LFS. If you could, please list the store you like and what about them makes them worth shopping at. I'm trying to see what's out there.

Thanks Josh

[phenom5]

Originally posted by joshallan86
It almost seems like I have too many fish in my tank huh?

Yes. I would get rid of both tangs and the sand sifting star. Your tank is not big enough to support them.