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[nel7000]

Hi,

I posted earlier and have had several responses (thank you!!)

I was asked to start a new thread, so please let me know if this is the right way of doing that!!

Right then, more questions:

Tonight I have put the salt in my tank. Nothing else in there as yet. I bought a gage that sits in the tank (showing temp and salinty). At first it went off the scale, but I moved it a moment ago and it seems to be settling into the normal range. I imagine it takes time for the water to stablise. Im in no rush as I want to get this right.

I was advised on this forum to take out all the filters (sponges etc). My skimmer is currently sat on a sponge. Should I take this out and put some LR in there once the salinty is ok?

Is the pump on the (left) to the spray bar adequate for the needs of the tank? I intend to stock with x 2 clownfish, x 5 green chromis x 1 yellow tang, shrimp, crab and snail (any views on my selection?)

Some people say to put a powerhead in there. Is this to replace the existing pump, or in addition? any reccomendations on which powerhead to buy?

If it is to replace, can the current spray bar accomodate the extra pressure?

How exactly does the 550 filter system work - does the pump draw the water through all the medium? It looks as though only the surface water ever gets drawn through the comb at the back of the tank - so what happens to heavier waste?

Thanks

 

[Morri]

Best to get all sponges out.

Stocking seems very high to me I used this link as a guide to my stocking levels.

http/www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=272628

To get a good flow in the TL 550 most add a korila K2 as well as the the main powerhead.

 

[seffieuk]

Hi,

I posted earlier and have had several responses (thank you!!)

I was asked to start a new thread, so please let me know if this is the right way of doing that!!



Right then, more questions:

Tonight I have put the salt in my tank. Nothing else in there as yet. I bought a gage that sits in the tank (showing temp and salinty). At first it went off the scale, but I moved it a moment ago and it seems to be settling into the normal range. I imagine it takes time for the water to stablise. Im in no rush as I want to get this right.

I is unlikely that you have a guage showing both sg and temp. what are you measuring sg with?

I was advised on this forum to take out all the filters (sponges etc). My skimmer is currently sat on a sponge. Should I take this out and put some LR in there once the salinty is ok?

yes take out the carbon sponge

Is the pump on the (left) to the spray bar adequate for the needs of the tank? I intend to stock with x 2 clownfish, x 5 green chromis x 1 yellow tang, shrimp, crab and snail (any views on my selection?)

Well it is adequate for the spray bar but you need to put an extra powerhead in the display. I woudn't keep five chromis, it will severly limit your stocking. Sorry tank too small for a tang but you can have the clowns, get two small juvies

Some people say to put a powerhead in there. Is this to replace the existing pump, or in addition? any reccomendations on which powerhead to buy?

In addition, Korallia 2 or a tunze nano stream

If it is to replace, can the current spray bar accomodate the extra pressure?

Ah, you extra powerhead is not attached to the spray bar, it sits inside the display to add flow to rock

How exactly does the 550 filter system work - does the pump draw the water through all the medium? It looks as though only the surface water ever gets drawn through the comb at the back of the tank - so what happens to heavier waste?

Organic waste is removed via the skimmer

Thanks

Seffie x

 

[nel7000]

The hydrometer I have is a Red Sea one, and claims continous or periodic reading of specific gravity. it has the salinty on a scale at the side and the temp on a dial in the middle. It is rather erratic at the moment, so I am not confident I would trust it (despite costing nearly £20)

What else should I buy instead to test all chemicals/readings in my tank?

In terms of stocking, I defo want the two clowns, shrimp, crab and snail what else could you reccomend that looks good and is ok in the 550?

Do you have to have 2 clowns?

When I take the sponge out from under the skimmer, should I put rubble in there and also in the 3rd chamber instead of the bioballs and noodles. Seems like a lot of rock.

With the powerhead, is this just to increase water movement then? Do I just put it on the side of the tank? Should I get one that airates as well?

Also, i am worried that I have not used RO water to set up (didnt realise what is was, and the guy in the shop did not mention it). I have now added salt to my tap water in the tank. I did leave the tap water to run through the system, with all bits of kit running, for 1.5 days before adding the sand. I think this would go some way to removing the chlorine elements. Now, If I am not planning on putting any LR in for at least 2 weeks, fish 4/5 weeks, do I need to start over, or will the copper fade to trace elements over time. Again I am leaving all kit running even without anything in the tank.

Thanks

 

[Morri]

there are plenty of nice fish that will fit in the orca tl550

I went for

1 x Mandarin (Not recommended for a newly setup tank)
2 x Coral sea Percula Clowns
1 x Purple Firefish
1 x Pygmy Cherub
1 x Flymo Blenny

The Blenny is my favorites in the tank full of character.

I opted out of using LR in filter as the flow in there is low and I have plenty of LR in main tank Chaeto and a LED are a good addtion.

 

[seffieuk]

The hydrometer I have is a Red Sea one, and claims continous or periodic reading of specific gravity. it has the salinty on a scale at the side and the temp on a dial in the middle. It is rather erratic at the moment, so I am not confident I would trust it (despite costing nearly £20)

Well, i would buy a refractometer, you will also need some test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate

What else should I buy instead to test all chemicals/readings in my tank?

In terms of stocking, I defo want the two clowns, shrimp, crab and snail what else could you reccomend that looks good and is ok in the 550?

Do you have to have 2 clowns? Nope, but there is something quite sad about a lone clown

When I take the sponge out from under the skimmer, should I put rubble in there and also in the 3rd chamber instead of the bioballs and noodles. Seems like a lot of rock.

No you don't need to

With the powerhead, is this just to increase water movement then? Do I just put it on the side of the tank? Should I get one that airates as well?

Get one that both produces flow and will agitate the surface - a korallia 2 or a tunze nano stream are two good ones

Also, i am worried that I have not used RO water to set up (didnt realise what is was, and the guy in the shop did not mention it). I have now added salt to my tap water in the tank. I did leave the tap water to run through the system, with all bits of kit running, for 1.5 days before adding the sand. I think this would go some way to removing the chlorine elements. Now, If I am not planning on putting any LR in for at least 2 weeks, fish 4/5 weeks, do I need to start over, or will the copper fade to trace elements over time. Again I am leaving all kit running even without anything in the tank.

you could just change the water over a period of weeks with your water change. When the tank has finished the cycle you will do a 50% water change anyway and then in the following weeks do a 25% water change and you should then be ok

Thanks

Seffie x

 

[nel7000]

there are plenty of nice fish that will fit in the orca tl550

I went for

1 x Mandarin (Not recommended for a newly setup tank)
2 x Coral sea Percula Clowns
1 x Purple Firefish
1 x Pygmy Cherub
1 x Flymo Blenny

The Blenny is my favorites in the tank full of character.

I opted out of using LR in filter as the flow in there is low and I have plenty of LR in main tank Chaeto and a LED are a good addtion.

What LED do you reccomend and when can I put the Chaeto in. When can I put this into the tank?

Thanks

 

[nel7000]

there are plenty of nice fish that will fit in the orca tl550

I went for

1 x Mandarin (Not recommended for a newly setup tank)
2 x Coral sea Percula Clowns
1 x Purple Firefish
1 x Pygmy Cherub
1 x Flymo Blenny

The Blenny is my favorites in the tank full of character.

I opted out of using LR in filter as the flow in there is low and I have plenty of LR in main tank Chaeto and a LED are a good addtion.

What LED do you reccomend and when can I put the Chaeto in. Where do I put this into the tank?

Thanks

 

[Morri]

I use a cheap subursible lamp from ebay have it in one of my empty chambers with a bag of chaeto in

 

[nel7000]

I use a cheap subursible lamp from ebay have it in one of my empty chambers with a bag of chaeto in

Thanks, could you give me something (name wise) I could google so I know what to look for.

 

[Morri]

Not the one I use but they are all much of a muchness but a quick search turned up

CLASSICA AQUABRITE SUBMERSIBLE COLOUR WHITE LED

Make sure they come with a power supply

 

[nel7000]

Hi everyone.

Update on where I am and some further questions if you dont mind!

I have had the tank a week now and the salinty seems to be settled around 1.022/23. I am still using my hydrometer to tell me that, as im waiting for the refractometer to arrive (along with my k2 powerhead and various Salifert test kits that were reccomended on this site).

Yesterday we bought 10kg of live rock and 5kg rubble. We have arranged the LR in the tank and removed the noodles and bio balls as advised. Obviously replacing the existing filter medium with the rubble.

I have also added a bag of something similar to rowophos (I was sold it at the time of buying the tank to prevent the growth of algae)

I have also ordered a submersible LED and cheto which should arrive next week. Is it ok to put this in the same chamber as the rubble and rowophos?

Having put the LR in, I noticed the salinty dropped. So I have topped it up a touch this morning to make sure the LR is ok. Is it normal for this to happen?

I have just noticed a little see through worm-like creature in my sand. It moves like a caterpillar. Is this safe and somehing a crab/fish would snack on?

I have set the lights up now on timer as to have a steady environment for the LR. They are on for 8hrs per day. Is this ok?

What are my next steps for introduction of items, and timing? I was thinking some easy to keep mushrooms/polyps next week perhaps?

Thanks

 

[seffieuk]

Hi everyone.

Update on where I am and some further questions if you dont mind!

I have had the tank a week now and the salinty seems to be settled around 1.022/23. I am still using my hydrometer to tell me that, as im waiting for the refractometer to arrive (along with my k2 powerhead and various Salifert test kits that were reccomended on this site).

I seem to remember that you want to keep corals, you will need to increase your sg to around 1.025/ 1.026

Yesterday we bought 10kg of live rock and 5kg rubble. We have arranged the LR in the tank and removed the noodles and bio balls as advised. Obviously replacing the existing filter medium with the rubble.

ah right, you now have lr - you will need to bring the sg up slowly, so instead of topping off with ro water, top up with salt water - and check the sg after every top-up to ensure a slow increase. You will probably need more lr than that in the display as well - 18/20 k is good in the orca 550

I have also added a bag of something similar to rowophos (I was sold it at the time of buying the tank to prevent the growth of algae)



I have also ordered a submersible LED and cheto which should arrive next week. Is it ok to put this in the same chamber as the rubble and rowophos?

yes you can, but i would put it in a chamber that doesn't have the rowa

Having put the LR in, I noticed the salinty dropped. So I have topped it up a touch this morning to make sure the LR is ok. Is it normal for this to happen?

Don't understand why that would happen

I have just noticed a little see through worm-like creature in my sand. It moves like a caterpillar. Is this safe and somehing a crab/fish would snack on?

Most worms are fine, it's fun rock watching

I have set the lights up now on timer as to have a steady environment for the LR. They are on for 8hrs per day. Is this ok?

Yep, this is fine, when i started i kept them on for 12 hours, which is longer than many say

What are my next steps for introduction of items, and timing? I was thinking some easy to keep mushrooms/polyps next week perhaps?

I'm afraid we need to ensure the cycle happens first - so you need to start testing as soon as those test arrive

Thanks

Seffie x



ps can we have some photos pleeeese

 

[nel7000]

I tried to upload a pic but the process was taking an age, so I left it. Will keep trying though!

Should I put the cheato Or rowaphos in with the thermostat? I don't really have many other options. Any ideas?

also, two separate lfs have said a regal tang would be ok in the tank. I thought they are too big for the 550? What are peoples experience of them (out of interest).

Finally, any reccomendations on ro equipment?

 

[Morri]

Tangs are to big for a TL550 they need more swiming space not sure anyone has one in a nano but I could be wrong.

My rowaphos is in the same chamber as my heater and chaeto has other one.