320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-)

[Skimmerking]

Dude you got big ones for plugging that in to the ext cord like that.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

Dude you got big ones for plugging that in to the ext cord like that.

I may have big ones but I'm not a total idiot, I had the other end unplugged while I was setting up the LED cords and had my wife plug it in to the wall when I was ready to take the pic.

[Greenmaster]

Just a quick question... what is the best "canary" in a coal mine, for a salt water reef tank?

[schroeder]

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

Just a quick question... what is the best "canary" in a coal mine, for a salt water reef tank?

that is a difficult question.
There are many different biotopes in the marine environment.
If you have a tank that mimics a reef crest (high flow, nutrient poor, bright light) you couldn't keep a sun coral for instance.

All organisms have evolved to fit into their own ecological niches. What lives and dies has to do with whether or not the organism is suited to the environment it finds itself in.

The concept of the canary in the coal mine should not be used. Let me explain...

Humans are not indigenous to coal mines. We are not accustomed to breathing methane, living underground in cold damp environments, perpetually in the dark. The environment is stressful and unhealthy to us. It just so happens that it is MORE stressful to a Canary, which means that they will likely die first. Regardless, the environment is wrong for both humans and canaries.


Plan the environment that you wish to mimic in your tank. I personally find a biotope tank to be a much more interesting concept than just collecting a bunch of fish and corals.

Design your tank to match the environment as best you can (flow, lighting, substrate etc)

Pick inhabitants that are suitable to the environment, and can cohabitate.


If you are concerned about your water parameters... use a test kit! Don't rely on something that will die to let you know if things are wrong. Chances are it will be the most expensive thing in your tank.

[abcha0s]

Schroeder really explained it well.

A couple things to add. Salt water tanks tend to take longer to cycle then fw tanks. Even after the cycle is no longer visible, they take longer still to stabilize and reach equalibrium. Tanks aren't generally thought to be mature until around the six month point or perhaps even longer.

The best approach is to never put anything in your tank unless you are confident that it will survive, if not thrive. Certainally, don't put any fish in that you plan to take out later or that aren't on your "fish list".

Take your time.

[Greenmaster]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Schroeder really explained it well.

A couple things to add. Salt water tanks tend to take longer to cycle then fw tanks. Even after the cycle is no longer visible, they take longer still to stabilize and reach equalibrium. Tanks aren't generally thought to be mature until around the six month point or perhaps even longer.

The best approach is to never put anything in your tank unless you are confident that it will survive, if not thrive. Certainally, don't put any fish in that you plan to take out later or that aren't on your "fish list".

Take your time.

I don't plan on putting fish in I am going to take out... unless I buy a new house that can hold a bigger tank...

[Greenmaster]

WOOT!
Tank has salt water in it... and only 1 leak... about 1 drip every 60 seconds or so.
I have salt in it... only at 1.016 atm. I have also started my cycle... I have added 5 raw shrimp... the 30 per pound size.

[Greenmaster]

So on controllers I'm still on the fence about the controller I'm going to use... Neptune Apex or Digital Aquatics RKE. The main function for me is the light's going on and off as well as the moonlights... I will probably use the other stuff later on but my main thing is those two... does anyone have a preference or an opinion on them? Possibly even experience.

[Greenmaster]

I'm sure there are more people following but I'm just not getting much response... oh well...

So here is an update on my water parameters.
After 2 days these are my current levels.

Ammonia 0.6
Nitrite 0.2
Nitrate 5

I did use an additive by Seachem... it's called Stability® here is a quote off the bottle: "...contains synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria..."
I don't know why they put it like that... by the sounds of it it's all one type of bacterium.

[Chaloupa]

For controllers I really like my Neptune.......

I used Hagen's Cycle when I did the 300g at work...and it really did speed up the cycle very well! Never tried it before, and will use it again as it was great!