All-in Salt Tank
Community Member
Hello, Reef2Reef.
After more than 3 decades of having all sorts of aquariums, I finally went all-in and purchased a complete salt tank! I've had the 100G TruVue tank for many years, but I've never made the leap to salt. After lots of online research and conversations with local salt specialists, I decided to purchase a complete set up from someone that was getting out of the hobby. It was literally a crash course in managing a FOWLR system with absolutely beautiful fish! It's been a very interesting journey, but so far...everyone is doing well and very happy in their new home. The tank has been up and running since mid-January and I'd like to think I'm finally getting a handle on all of this.
Here is my biggest issue, though. Had a big nitrate storm after the move. Or...it was already there when I acquired the set-up. The previous owner assured me it was an established tank and low maintenance. I quickly realized there's no such thing as a "low maintenance" salt tank! We moved all of the coral, rock, fish, filters, etc. in one day, and everyone survived the move.
My system is not typical and I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible...
Running:
- Two Fluval FX6 canister filters
- Protein skimmer
- Two wave-makers
Other than a nitrate spike after the move, the tank is looking great and the fish are all doing awesome! I've been doing weekly water changes with RODI water (I installed a system) and I got the nitrates down from over 100 to within the 40-50 range. I'd still like to get them lower, but hoping I can back off on these weekly water changes. They are very time consuming, expensive, and are not what I had expected. I'm doing what it takes, though, as I LOVE these fish and want a healthy tank.
I'm stocked with:
- Large blue hippo tang
- Large yellow tang
- Med/large domino damsel
- Med/large dogface puffer
- Med fairytale wrasse
- Med coral beauty
- Sm/Med striped damsel
- Urchins X 2 (one is a pencil urchin) and a turbo snail
Being brand-new to salt, I'd love some suggestions on managing the nitrates. Please keep in mind that I'm a newbie with some experience and I'm really hoping to keep this set-up as simple as possible. My local resources and friends in the hobby have told me I'm doing great so far. Would love some more advice and I'm looking forward to being a member of this forum!
Cheers!
After more than 3 decades of having all sorts of aquariums, I finally went all-in and purchased a complete salt tank! I've had the 100G TruVue tank for many years, but I've never made the leap to salt. After lots of online research and conversations with local salt specialists, I decided to purchase a complete set up from someone that was getting out of the hobby. It was literally a crash course in managing a FOWLR system with absolutely beautiful fish! It's been a very interesting journey, but so far...everyone is doing well and very happy in their new home. The tank has been up and running since mid-January and I'd like to think I'm finally getting a handle on all of this.
Here is my biggest issue, though. Had a big nitrate storm after the move. Or...it was already there when I acquired the set-up. The previous owner assured me it was an established tank and low maintenance. I quickly realized there's no such thing as a "low maintenance" salt tank! We moved all of the coral, rock, fish, filters, etc. in one day, and everyone survived the move.
My system is not typical and I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible...
Running:
- Two Fluval FX6 canister filters
- Protein skimmer
- Two wave-makers
Other than a nitrate spike after the move, the tank is looking great and the fish are all doing awesome! I've been doing weekly water changes with RODI water (I installed a system) and I got the nitrates down from over 100 to within the 40-50 range. I'd still like to get them lower, but hoping I can back off on these weekly water changes. They are very time consuming, expensive, and are not what I had expected. I'm doing what it takes, though, as I LOVE these fish and want a healthy tank.
I'm stocked with:
- Large blue hippo tang
- Large yellow tang
- Med/large domino damsel
- Med/large dogface puffer
- Med fairytale wrasse
- Med coral beauty
- Sm/Med striped damsel
- Urchins X 2 (one is a pencil urchin) and a turbo snail
Being brand-new to salt, I'd love some suggestions on managing the nitrates. Please keep in mind that I'm a newbie with some experience and I'm really hoping to keep this set-up as simple as possible. My local resources and friends in the hobby have told me I'm doing great so far. Would love some more advice and I'm looking forward to being a member of this forum!
Cheers!
