Newbie Setup, Could You Check It Through Please?

[Alex Brown]

Hey,

I recently went to the Maldives and saw all the fish first hand. Since I returned I read up on fishkeeping and bought a setup. I was wondering if somebody could have a skim through and let me know if anything isnt right or could be better!

The tank was set up about 3 weeks ago, and had been skimming since the start. I put 3 fish in yesterday, there are so cool!

Now the lighting, I got bent over at the fish store. They said 2 LEDs would light my whole tank for coral growth, total lie as you know. It barely lit anything. I later found out I would nead something like 8 LEDs to do the job, too much money for me at £800. So, I kept my stock lights and bought a t5 unit that sits over the tank. But I dont know what colour lamps I need. I have the following;

Cheers.

240L Amazon tank

2x marine blue T5
2x powerglo T5
2x lifeglo T5
2x aquabeam L.E.D marine white & marine blue (i have one of each right now but need to return one to swap it for whatever will be better. i really liked the shimmer effect it gave out so concidering keeping 2 lamps for that purpose, but do I keep 2 white or 2 blue?)

2x powerhead
external filter
300w heater
v2 skimmer 400
45kg live rock
3x humbug (5p size) introduced 1 day ago

todays readings;

temp 25c
PH 8.0
nitrite 0.05
amonia 0.014
nitrate 20
alkaline 2.0
SG 1.020

 

[ben1987]

id get two white LED's I have those TMC ones over mine and they are pretty bright but you need a lot per foot. Id stick with the blue tubes and have white LED's. Not sure on the other 4 T5s your using.
You got the same skimmer as me aswel, pulls out some rite gumk when fish are in. If you mean humbugs as in a damsel they can be aggressive

 

[BigC]

Changing your lighting to Metal Halides (luminaire with blue actinic tubes added) will give you the shimmer effect. Also you will be able to progress onto SPS corals at a later date.
Agree with Ben, the Humbugs are nast little beggers (territoral)
What size are the powerheads.
I would consider lifting the SG slightly to around 1.026 and a temp of 80-82'F
You would have to do this ever so slowly now you've livestock in.
And your Nitrates are pretty high.
Regards
BigC