New Member New Marine Aquarium

[Truck]

another question which i have probably been told wrong buy the shop.

what should my test results look like?
and more importantly, what are all the tests i should be doing.
i have a general idea from info here and in many other places, but i want this thing to go right so i want to be sure.

Nh3/4
NO2
NO3
PH

if your going reef i would also buy these

PO4
Ca
Mg
KH/alk

 

[seffieuk]

Ammonia - this will spike first
Nitrite - this will then spike
Nitrate - then a spike from this and you do a big water change

test again in a day or so and if under 10 then go get your cuc

you will also need:

PH

later if you have corals you will need a few more

Try to buy salifert - more expensive but you can trust them

Seffie x



ps

if your lr is fully cured and from an established reef, is not out of the water for more than a few minutes you might not even get a cycle

pps thanks for pointing out typo Rab fingers work quicker than brain

 

[rabbut]

Ammonia - this will spike first
Nitrate - this will then spike
Nitrate - then a spike from this and you do a big water change

Woops, seffie made a Typo

Ammonia, NitrIte, Nitrate and pH are the essentials. If going soft coral reef, PO4 also, and if going with hard corals, add Alkalinity (KH/Carbonate Hardness are other name/tearms often used), Calsium and Magnesium

 

[SkiFletch]

Lol, this thread's full of typos

 

[robincushing]

Lol, this thread's full of typos

lol, im the king of typos

 

[mutantbigman2000]

lol, im the king of typos

He meant to say hes the king of topys.

 

[robincushing]

well that being said. i noticed a lot of little bits floating in my tank yesterday, so im on the look out for a skimmer now.
i know they go from about £10 up to £100's can anyone recomend a cheapish one that will work for my 2ft tank?
im going to see my friend in the store today and see what they have.

 

[rabbut]

In that sized tank, you would get satisfactory results from an air driven one I would think

 

[robincushing]

In that sized tank, you would get satisfactory results from an air driven one I would think

any brands you recomend?
i have seen a few on ebay but they look hideous (<- there goes the spelling again)

tank still leaked, so went the full hog today and filled the whole dam hood with sealant, if it still leaks after that lot then i give up lol.

 

[robincushing]

just seen this one, would this be any good?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nano-Air-Wood-Protei...A1%7C240%3A1318

 

[dumla]

Have you upgraded the lights yet? I only ask cos i have the same tank and i'm having trouble fitting a Arcadia overtank luminaire, looks like i might be going down the suspended route!

 

[robincushing]

no not got the lights yet, but should just be able to get new tubes for the fittings i have there

 

[rabbut]

just seen this one, would this be any good?

[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nano-Air-Wood-Protei...A1%7C240%3A1318"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nano-Air-Wood-Protei...A1%7C240%3A1318[/URL]

Should do IME, that type of skimmer (we use them at work) is a bit of a PITA to set the correct dryness/wetness of skimmate, but once they are going they do a good job

 

[Jodes]

When it comes to protein skimmers does the term "you get what you pay for" come in to play?

 

[rabbut]

Very much so most of the time Air driven is all you need for your size of tank, motor driven ones are overkill for it