tizapolgar
Zymurgist
Hi folks...lots of info on the site and I'm hoping that I could get some personalized help.
I've had freshwater tanks for years (since I was a kid), and this little 10 gallon is my first foray into the saltwater/reef world. Of course, I'd love a much larger one, but my apartment (and my budget) are very small, so I have to work with what I have right now :mrgreen:
Anyhow...the set up. 10 gallon with small hang-on-tank filter w/carbon. Live sand (sorry, can't remember how much), and about 10 pounds of live rock (which I put in way too soon - not cured nearly enough, but I got some bad advice and will now live with the consequences - i know what they are but my options seem pretty limited at this point...but at least I learned not to automatically trust a LFS guy that SOUNDS like he knows what he's doing...).
Specific gravity of 1.022, temperature is at a nearly constant 78-80. I haven't tested the water yet, because I know it will be bad (being set up for only a week), but I get paid on Friday and a test kit is on the list for this weekend.
Skimmer is on the way, and I've been doing one 10% water change per week (which is one so far).
I currently have 2 Coralife six inch 10 watt 50/50 bulbs, which are on about 8 hours per day. Otherwise, the tank is in a pretty dimly lit area.
I know it will take the LR quite some time to finish dying off and coming back, but in the long run I am wondering if my light setup is good enough to promote growth, or if I definitely need to invest more in it. Remember, I'm a poor graduate student, so my options are a bit limited. My goal isn't to have the most beautiful reef tank ever - that will come later when I can REALLY do a large tank right, I just would like some neat, healthy stuff :mrgreen:
Oh, my goal is actually this, if it helps: one to two small fish (probably a clown), a good invert colony (copepods, beneficial worms, etc.), and a healthy colony of "stuff" on the live rock...and a couple of blue legged hermits and maybe some snails to keep things tidy.
Any advice, specific or general, on the set-up?
Thanks already...I've already learned a lot for the site and maybe (one of these days when I really know what I'm doing!) I'll be able to advise newbies like me!
I've had freshwater tanks for years (since I was a kid), and this little 10 gallon is my first foray into the saltwater/reef world. Of course, I'd love a much larger one, but my apartment (and my budget) are very small, so I have to work with what I have right now :mrgreen:
Anyhow...the set up. 10 gallon with small hang-on-tank filter w/carbon. Live sand (sorry, can't remember how much), and about 10 pounds of live rock (which I put in way too soon - not cured nearly enough, but I got some bad advice and will now live with the consequences - i know what they are but my options seem pretty limited at this point...but at least I learned not to automatically trust a LFS guy that SOUNDS like he knows what he's doing...).
Specific gravity of 1.022, temperature is at a nearly constant 78-80. I haven't tested the water yet, because I know it will be bad (being set up for only a week), but I get paid on Friday and a test kit is on the list for this weekend.
Skimmer is on the way, and I've been doing one 10% water change per week (which is one so far).
I currently have 2 Coralife six inch 10 watt 50/50 bulbs, which are on about 8 hours per day. Otherwise, the tank is in a pretty dimly lit area.
I know it will take the LR quite some time to finish dying off and coming back, but in the long run I am wondering if my light setup is good enough to promote growth, or if I definitely need to invest more in it. Remember, I'm a poor graduate student, so my options are a bit limited. My goal isn't to have the most beautiful reef tank ever - that will come later when I can REALLY do a large tank right, I just would like some neat, healthy stuff :mrgreen:
Oh, my goal is actually this, if it helps: one to two small fish (probably a clown), a good invert colony (copepods, beneficial worms, etc.), and a healthy colony of "stuff" on the live rock...and a couple of blue legged hermits and maybe some snails to keep things tidy.
Any advice, specific or general, on the set-up?
Thanks already...I've already learned a lot for the site and maybe (one of these days when I really know what I'm doing!) I'll be able to advise newbies like me!