PLS HELP 1st TIME CORAL OWNER

[kileki]

Hi All! I have a 40 Gal tank that was FOWLR since November until Friday when I added this leather toadstool.

It looks like this and I want to know if I need to be worried or not!?

It was laying like this on the rock I initially had it on so I moved it lower thinking it was getting too much light but it’s still like this on the bottom of the tank now too.

 

[kileki]

I sure can! This is a thread I made when I first set it up. I'll get a recent photo in a second.

You're awesome! Thanks for all your help.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Any suggestions on what skimmer? Preferably HOB. I dont have space under my tank nor the capital to go full blown into a sump, refugium, the works. Getting married in a couple months, and trying to not blow thousands more on the tank

I've been using the aquamaxx 1.5 hob skimmer for about 4 years, I'm pretty happy with it, it has good reviews.

There are several good skimmers in the 50-75 gallon class, so do a little research, but aquamaxx is the only I've used so can't suggest others.

 

[VintageReefer]

I am storing too much fish tank equipment and have been in a generous mood lately and parting with stuff I don’t need / use to help newer people get into the hobby more economically.

Would you want this? I would take it out and test it, ensure it’s clean and working properly before we made any arrangements. $285 new. I’ll sell 50$ + sh if you’re interested. If not, no worries, my feelings aren’t hurt

 

[stewy14]

All for reef won't raise mag. I usually don't test mag or really worry about it. (others might say differently, though)

huh, my afr raises my mag...

 

[slythy]

@kileki I would take @VintageReefer up on that offer. Thats going to be about 5x cheaper than any other option lol

 

[kileki]

I am storing too much fish tank equipment and have been in a generous mood lately and parting with stuff I don’t need / use to help newer people get into the hobby more economically.

Would you want this? I would take it out and test it, ensure it’s clean and working properly before we made any arrangements. $285 new. I’ll sell 50$ + sh if you’re interested. If not, no worries, my feelings aren’t hurt

I would definitely be interested! I honestly know very little about skimmers, but I have read that you have to find a "perfect" size skimmer for your tank, if the skimmer is too small/big it won't help. I have a 40gallon tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

I used this on a 40g breeder reef tank and it worked great. It can handle up to 100g but that would need to be a lightly stocked 100g.

 

[slythy]

I would definitely be interested! I honestly know very little about skimmers, but I have read that you have to find a "perfect" size skimmer for your tank, if the skimmer is too small/big it won't help. I have a 40gallon tank.

I have always run skimmers rated on the higher end than exactly for my tank. I always think they overstate how effective they are in rating.


Here is someones youtube review of that skimmer.

And here is the raiting for the V2 so I would imagine its about the same.

 

[kileki]

I used this on a 40g breeder reef tank and it worked great. It can handle up to 100g but that would need to be a lightly stocked 100g.

As I just joined this website last night haha, I am unsure all the workings on it. Message me and maybe we can work something out! I really appreciate it. The community on here seems great!

 

[slythy]

As I just joined this website last night haha, I am unsure all the workings on it. Message me and maybe we can work something out! I really appreciate it. The community on here seems great!

There a lot to take in for sure. The community here is pretty helpful. It doesnt help to have someone new get frustrated and quit the hobby.

General rule is change things slowly. Dont dump a bunch of chemicals in the tank and expect good things to happen. Quick fixes always end in long term sadness lol.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

huh, my afr raises my mag...

Interesting, never had mine raise it

 

[kileki]

There a lot to take in for sure. The community here is pretty helpful. It doesnt help to have someone new get frustrated and quit the hobby.

General rule is change things slowly. Dont dump a bunch of chemicals in the tank and expect good things to happen. Quick fixes always end in long term sadness lol.

Will do! I did buy the All for Reef additive because it could be here today on Amazon. Do you suggest me adding this with my current Calcium/Magnesium/kH levels? Not sure if this would have any affect on my pH or Po4 either.

pH: 7.6
kH: 6.4
mg: 1350
Ca: 380

 

[stewy14]

Interesting, never had mine raise it

weird

 

[VintageReefer]

I have always run skimmers rated on the higher end than exactly for my tank. I always think they overstate how effective they are in rating.


Here is someones youtube review of that skimmer.

And here is the raiting for the V2 so I would imagine its about the same.

I believe that’s the same rating. I don’t know what version mine is, I think the only thing they changed was the pump. Mine has the Italian Sicce. It was used for 2-3 years tops, always maintained, and has been in my closet since.

 

[VintageReefer]

Will do! I did buy the All for Reef additive because it could be here today on Amazon. Do you suggest me adding this with my current Calcium/Magnesium/kH levels? Not sure if this would have any affect on my pH or Po4 either.

pH: 7.6
kH: 6.4
mg: 1350
Ca: 380

AFR will maintain levels but it’s not really used for corrections. However, since your ca and kh are both low….a larger dose of afr in the first week could bump them up in the right ratios…and then you would reduce dosage to maintain the desired values.

 

[kileki]

I believe that’s the same rating. I don’t know what version mine is, I think the only thing they changed was the pump. Mine has the Italian Sicce. It was used for 2-3 years tops, always maintained, and has been in my closet since.

Yeah, please message me and lets work something out!

 

[slythy]

I dont know AFR but know lots of people who have had success with it. I would think once you get your alk up to around 8 and calcium up to 420 or so keep it there. The good thing is soft corals dont use a lot of alk or cal so your dosing should be pretty small. Just do small doses and test. I would purchase Salifert Alk,Cal & Mag test kits. API isnt the most accurate.

 

[VintageReefer]

I use AFR on my tank, it works great once you figure out the needed amount to dose

 

[Glowurm]

Will do! I did buy the All for Reef additive because it could be here today on Amazon. Do you suggest me adding this with my current Calcium/Magnesium/kH levels? Not sure if this would have any affect on my pH or Po4 either.

pH: 7.6
kH: 6.4
mg: 1350
Ca: 380

I think your issue would be better resolved by Kalkwasser TBH but i would get the skimmer first, makes slow incremental changes to the tank. Again save dosing for later, let the tank stabilize then see what is what.

 

[kileki]

I think your issue would be better resolved by Kalkwasser TBH but i would get the skimmer first, makes slow incremental changes to the tank. Again save dosing for later, let the tank stabilize then see what is what.

Thanks! Hopefully my coral survives until the skimmer arrives