Burnt out Bulb

[Deathsmile]

Bout a month, but i just found out one of my LFS was lying about their water, said it was RO/DI, but its just ocean water, so fuuuuhhh. Now im only getting water from my Main LFS. Gonna do a 33% water change and then wait a week, get a test, then do another.

[Steve McKay]

What do you mean ocean water?Saltwater from the ocean?

[Deathsmile]

yeah pretty much, they went and got water from the ocean and told ppl that they just used the systems to filter their own water.

My Phosphates are 5.00 :O

[Steve McKay]

Well first of all it must be more than saltwater from the ocean,because ocean water doesn't have that much phosphate in it.Unless collected from a polluted area.Second,
it shouldn't have taken you very long to figure it out because if you added salt mix and then checked your specific gravity,you would have been way over.What happened?

[Deathsmile]

I wasnt adding salt because i was buying salt water from them, which has a gravity of 1.025 from their store. Its a mixture of sand that fell off my rock onto the bottom of my tank that i cant reach and their water which is messing that and my alk and mag up. im doing a 35 gallon water change tomorrow afternoon after i get as much sand out as possible. its only a tiny amount, easily less then half a pound, but its still annoying.

[Steve McKay]

I think I'm beginning to understand now.The reason I asked how long has your tank been setup is because you say your about to add corals shortly.Your tank isn't ready for corals,neither is mine.Your tank has to mature for at least 3 to 4 months.Read this and then talk to Charlie.

It is unwise to add any coral to a reef tank from one to three months after initial setup. This varies depending on your specific tank and the speed of cycling. During this time there can be dramatic swings of ammonia, nitrite, and pH. Calcium, carbonates, and other critical elements are also lacking at this point.

After this time soft corals are generally the best animal to place in the tank first. You should have no more diatom algae or “local problematic” areas in the tank. Soft corals for the most part they are less susceptible to any small fluctuations that happen from here on out. They are a lot less dependent on calcium bicarbonate for skeletal growth and digestion. The nutrient pathways needed for the survival of soft corals is also usually establish by this point.

The next step is probably adding corals referred to LPS (large polyp stonies). The best time to start adding these animals is after the tank has been set up for 5-7 months. Ideally you should have started to see small patches of coralline algae with a diameter of 3mm or more.

The last corals should be the SPS (small polyp stonies). These require excellent water conditions and good advanced knowledge and experience. These are also some of the most rewarding and colorful corals in the world. It is well worth your time and money to wait 9-12 months before adding these animals. They need vary stable and specific conditions. When you start to see many patches of coralline algae larger than the size of a quarter it is a good biological sign that your tank may be ready for these corals.

[Deathsmile]

Oh i know.

I only bring up Corals because i want to start researching them and figuring out which ones i want to place in my tank and what types need what care and such. Ive said it in other threads that i know im a while away from corals and im ok with that.

I just want to use this time while my tank cycles and gets in check to do research to find the easiest to maintain, the LFS scam fish and corals to look out for, and to find as many colorful ones as i can right now. Everything at this stage for me is just research, no doing. Ive looked up some zoanthids ill have my LFS ship in when im ready, just looking for suggestions on bright soft corals i can scope out once my tank is good and ready.

im doing what youve told me before and doing everything right the first time. Instead of staying with my PC lighting i dropped 550bucks on a Sunlight supply Tek light , next comes two Koralia 4 power heads and at least a 200gal skimmer for my tank.

im going to be your guy's student when it comes to this hobby

[Steve McKay]

Good to see your on the right track,you might want to start thinking about what types of corals you want to keep.It is easier to keep either soft corals or lps and sps.Ask Charlie he knows far more than me.

[Parrothead]

On the subject of phosphates in seawater, most of the waters around florida are polluted, secondly, florida mines most of the phosphates used around the world, you are facing run-off (natural or otherwise) into the sea water from this sandbar we call a state, also for the last several years the reefs around the keys and south florida having been bleaching out and dying because of pollution and runoff.

Deathy, add your own ro/di unit to your list of equipment to buy, it will pay off in the long run...JMHO

Tanks,
Robert