New To Saltwater, Reef Tank Wanted

[G-reg]

So, I would like to start a nano saltwater reef tank. I heard soft corals because they are a little easier to maintain.

So I have purchased and set up: protein skimmer, heater, and the power-head. Temperature is good at 81, alkalinity is good around 280, and pH is at 8.2...I added 2 pounds of live rock and read ammonia levels at 2.0ppm so added 4 more pounds and 3 hours later it dropped to 0.50-1.0 so I grasp that in a small tank things can change drastically. I'm going to get more live rock to make the levels completely to zero.

So what else must I watch for? I heard about watching phosphates, and adding calcium what do I even do to control the phosphate and calcium. Is there anything else I should worry about I am new to the saltwater world and would like to learn a lot from this small 14 gallon operation?

Thanks
Greg

 

[ainsy]

Hi and

Yes things can change very quickly in a small tank.

Before you add any stock wait for a few days just to make sure you don't get another spike from the extra live rock that you have added & test your parameters again. This may happen any time you add more live rock to an existing system.

There are several methods for controlling those.... for phosphates regular good quality water changes, don't over feed & if a problem use purigen and rowaphos. Calcium can be added in different ways - but you need to be able to test it before you try and add any.

In the mean time have a good read of MARC and come back with any questions.

 

[SaltNoob]

81 seems a bit warm IMO. I keep my tank at 77 night to 79 day. Not sure if it will affect the corals a ton, but 81 is the high end of the spectrum =)

I am excited to see your build. Start up a journal!

-Tyler

 

[GGtank]

I wouldn't really worry about calcium just yet tbh. It really really depends on what corals you decide to keep. Water changes may well be enough for your calcium needs. For now let it cycle and then when that is sorted, start with the CUC. Phosphates do hamper coral growth, you can either dose something like Redsea's NO4-POx or place something to absorb it like Rowaphos. Small tanks really are much harder to maintain so I wish you the best of luck!

 

[lljdma06]

81 seems a bit warm IMO. I keep my tank at 77 night to 79 day. Not sure if it will affect the corals a ton, but 81 is the high end of the spectrum =)

I am excited to see your build. Start up a journal!

-Tyler

Nah... My biotope's sitting at a summer temp of about 83 with no ill effects. Palythoas are growing like weeds! 81 is fine. As long as the temp doesn't fluctuate a lot all the time. Even the occasional seasonal fluctuation is ok.

Excited to see your build too.

L

 

[ainsy]

I am also happy at 81-83