Hello
Starting my first build. Coming from the freshwater world and converted this 20 gallon.
Still figuring everything out and the tank has cycled and cycled again and continues to fluctuate a bit.
corals:
Got a tiny pulsing zinia from a big box store. I know rookie mistake.
then
Got a much larger and cooler zinia from my LFS and it started off great and then took a dive. I’ve been working on trying to figure it out and finally figured it was the lights. I kept on hearing how the Zinia like low lights and so I wasn’t all that concerned that my lights were a carry over from a planted tank and pretty good but not up to snuff. Ended up getting the FluvalSmart reef lights because I have the fluval Nano in the bedroom on a 10 gallon angelfish tank and love it as well as the app.
Zinia started to perk up and pulse and then my salinity tester came in the mail today.
rookie mistake number 2, I’ve been topping my tank off with saltwater.
Yeah.
salinity was up to 2.8. Decided to add some fresh declorinated fresh water and keep on checking my levels.
Rookie mistake number three. Moving way too fast with the fresh water.
Zinias perked up and then knuckled up and closed. Fish are good but a bit ticked and my cleaner shrimp looked like he was doing the fox trot after not moving very far from some rocks for days.
Stopped adding fresh water and decided I should put some tank handcuffs on myself for a day or so before I crash the whole kingdom.
So that’s my story and I’m still learning through failure. This is the reason I don’t start with 200 gallon tanks after all and all fish are still talking to me for a little while at least.
Back later after I read a bunch more and promise to measure twice and cut once.
-Will