Dazed and Confused

[Boostable]

First a quick hello.... I have been reading myself to sleep on this site trying to gain as much information as possible as it seems you can never have enough.

I apologize if this is posted in the wrong spot.

So here is where I am at... I am new to the SW world and have recently (4--5 weeks ) setup our first 75G tank. With the advice of a few friends and "confusion" from the LFS's Here is a run down of what I have been sold and where I am at....

Hardware:
75G Tank
Aragonite Substraite.
Approx. 65-70lbs (mabye a bit more) of live Rock
ProClear Aquatic Systems Wet/Dry
Cap 1800 - 476GPH Pump
4 x 65W PC Lighting

LiveStock:
8 - Varying Damsels
Couple of Crabs and Snails
1 - Anemone (came on last live rock)

Recent Testing:
Amonia - 0.0
Nitrites - 0.0
Nitrates - 10 or less


The tank appears to be doing great and all the testing looks good.

We started off going for just a FO tank, but quickly relized we didn't like alot of the fake stuff and wanted more of a reef tank or a FOWLR, of course as I read along I realize the wet/dry might now be over kill for the direction we are headed, but I am not sure.

The rock I got was fully cured and had been in a tank for a LONG time and im very happy with that.

I never realy saw a amonia spike to speak of, but I honestly was not testing it everyday in the begining.

Couple of questions:

Based on the above, am I headed in the right direction? If not, what changes are recommended before I get to far down the road.

Am I ready for more fish? "Wife and kids pushing for tangs and clown". I realize I might need to get rid of some of the damsels. I have a new home for them when the time comes. Whats my capacity with livestock?

Do I need another pump for water circulation? What would be my tell tell signs?

Thanks in advance for any input... There is alot of information out there and I am just trying to keep what I can straight!!!

Great site, I wish I would of found it first.. ;)

JW

[BubbaWPB]

Looks like you're off to a good start. Reading a lot, like you have been doing, is a way to save a lot of money and heartache. Keep it up. Keep an eye on your nitrates, too.... less than 10 is adequate for fish and tolerable for a number of invertebrates, but it can sneak up on you quickly. Most of us with reef systems try to get nitrate to the undetectable range, but less than 10 is OK for fish only.

You don't have a protein skimmer? If not, you might want to consider one. It can get proteinaceous material out of your tank before it has the chance to cycle and add to your nitrate.

It almost seem like the LFSs here in FL are owned and operated by wet/dry filter manufacturers... ...they all have LOTS of wet/dry filters and most have only one or two protein skimmers to choose from, if any at all... [sorry, that was an editorial comment]

If your fish and crustaceans are still alive, you're off to a great start. From here on it's all about choices.... and the consequences of them. For instance, if you want more livestock, you might need to bump up your filtration system - such as a protein skimmer and/or refugium. Your lighting is fine for what you have.... if you choose to keep SPS and/or clams, you may want to increase the lighting. The only advice I feel safe in giving is, keep up the reading and keep up asking questions... you're doing fine so far!

I'd also be sure that your anemone that came on your live rock isn't Aiptasia or a majano (sp?) anemone while you only have one... they suddenly turn into a plague... your reading will tell you why and how to deal with them.

Bubba

[BubbaWPB]

I forgot to answer your question about the circulation.... the consensus opinion about circulation is that "more is better". This opinion is based on water flow in the ocean and over reefs. Again, since your critters are surviving, it is probably adequate for what you have now - adding more and/or different critters to your tank may necessitate more circulation. Signs to add more circulation might be problems with slime "algae" (cyanobacteria) - although poor circulation alone is rarely the sole cause of a cyanobacteria outbreak.

Bubba

[Boostable]

Thanks for the feedback Bubba.

When I say 10 on the nitrate levels, that is the lowest color I have on my test kit and its much less then that. I start to just get a little tint of color in the test vial.

They did a strip test at one of the LFS's and they didn't detect any, so im sure there tests are much better then mine. Gonna have it retested tomorrow or Wed.

In regards to the anemone, I thought it was just a small one, but once I got it home and after a day or two in the tank it came out of its hole and its pretty freaking big... Not sure of the species, but im thinking long tentacle - "Macrodactyla doreensis" maybe. I will try and attach a pic and maybe you guys can give me some insite.

Pic of anemone.


Pic of the Tank.


Some bigger shots can be found here..

http://www.wilburnfamily.us/album05


Let me know what you think.

Thanks again,

JW

[BubbaWPB]

It's definitely NOT Aiptasia! ...or mejano, for that matter!

[Boostable]

Am I correct on my thinking for the identity?

JW

[Poseidon]

Looks like a LT to me too, but I stay away from anemones myself. I agree with Bubba on this, add more flow. ALso the wet/dry you have can cause trouble down the road with Nitrates, you can still use the filter for a sump, and maybe a place to put a skimmer, but I would remove the bio balls slowly to prevent a problem before it starts.

Marine tanks can be pretty simple if you follow a few simple suggestions:

1) more flow is better then less
2) Protein skimmers are essential
3) Lots of live rock for your filtration
4) For reef tanks the more light the better (I like halides best)
5) Keep up on water changes...

That is a good start, next comes testing and maintaining Ca and Alk levels. Both are also essential for a healthy tank.