Lazeespite's River Reef 94

[lazeespite]

Hi All

I'm picking up the live rock tomorrow, so I thought it about time to put water in the tank and add the salt. Dutifully bought out my refractometer, only to get a nasty shock. The read out looks nothing like any others I've seen... I know I should have checked first... doh!

I'm not sure if I should buy another one, this refractometer was advertised for marine tanks. It gives a reading of 0-26 on the left side, it gives he same the other side but beneath this sign is a '%'. Along the bottom it says sodium chlororide, above the scale with the '%' mark it states 'saturation point' an above all it says 20 degrees celcius.

I tried it after adding 2kg of salt to 94 litres, it reads about 4. Anybody have any idea what it all means!

thanks
Adrian

 

[lazeespite]

Hey All

I've been delayed setting up my tank but I think I'm almost ready to add some creatures... I hope!

I've added just over 10KG of live rock (9KG in the front 1.5KG in the back) and about 12KG of aragonite sand... which took forever to clear even though I washed it before adding it. I swapped out the remaining Interpet pump and bought another Maxijet 1200, also adding a Hydor Koralia 900 to add to the water movement.I also replaced the refractometer with an H2 Ocean device which is much simpler to use.

I decided to get three large bits of live rock rather than smaller pieces, I thought less chance of somthing faling off and killing an inhabitant. There was some life on the rock a couple of worms and something that comes out occasionally, looks like a clear cylinder with a black ring of 'petals' at the top.

I've been keeping track of my parameters,and think I may be ready for my first additions, I was thinking a couple of hermits and a snail. I would appreciate if you could check that my water is fine for additions, I've had live rock in for a week:

Salt levels 1.025
Temp 25 Degrees
NO2 0 (mg/l)
NO3 0 (mg/l)
Ammonia <25 (mg/l)
Ca 500(mg/l)
KH 10
PH 8.2

I've also been thinking about fish, I intend to get a pair of clowns as previously mentioned, but I've seen Blue Yellowed Tailed Chromis that I thought looked cool and would like to get two. What do you guys think?

thanks!

 

[SaltNoob]

Grats on getting started!

In regards to fish. Chromis are a schooling fish and tend to need at least 5 so they do not fight. I have (1) in my tank as it is small which is also "ok" to only have one. Clowns are fun and pretty, always enjoyable!

 

[simonas]

Lazee spite where have you gone? any updates