New tank is setup. What next?

NC Frank

That was a typo. It should have read 420 and I apparently dropped the 2 :) . It was 440 on all previous tests performed. Any advice that you can offer about buffering for calcium would be appreciated. I have Kent Marine Super Buffer DKH.

Pasfur

420 / 400, same basic level. You will see calcium drop slowly and probably have to add a calcium supplement weekly to maintain the calcium levels. It is extremely important that this is a regular part of your aquarium routine. I use Kent Marine Liquid Calcium supplement (calcium chloride). Concentrated Liquid Calcium - 8 oz. | Kalkwasser, Calcium, Carbonates | Water Treatments & Additives | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

In addition to adding calcium directly, you will also need to add a buffer. Kent Marine Super Buffer DKH is what I use. When your alkalinity is at the lower end of the scale, buffer. Same with calcium, when it reads at the lower end of your desired range, add calcium.

I posted a deeper explanation of alkalinity and calcium here:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/m...79/#post282311

NC Frank

Excellent read. I will purchase some Kent liquid calcium on the way home today.

NC Frank

Sorry for the long winded post!

Current Stock List:
2 False Perc Clowns - 1 black and 1 misbar
1 diamond goby
5 scarlet hermits
1 blue legged hermit
1 emerald crab
1 turbo snail

Test Results for Saturday and Sunday:

PH - 8.3
Temp - 77.6
Calcium - 460
Hardness - 10
Amonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Phosphate - <5
Nitrate - <5

Feeding:
I alternate between Formula 1, Formula 2 frozen foods and Marine S pellets. I will start giving mysis and some other foods as a treat.

I have started dosing both calcium and kent super dkh.

All fish are doing fine. Introduced the diamond goby from QT.

How long should I wait before buying the next fish and a few more CUC members? The fish would be QTd for 2 weeks before addition.

Some things I have noticed:

My protein skimmer has slowed down a bit. Still producing some yellowish/brownish film but nowhere near the same rate.

Diatom bloom has been completely gone for several days.

One of the original pieces of live rock is almost entirely encrusted with coralline algae.

Second of the original pieces of live rock is starting to have some nice coralline algae cover.

Base rock slowly starting to show some small spots of coralline algae.

Bright green algae is appearing on some small spots on my glass and on my base rocks.

My clowns destroy any food I give them. Should I be worrying about my CUC and goby getting enough? Should I start target feeding my emerald crab and diamond goby? Emerald is grazing like crazy but I want to be sure everybody has enough of everything.

Pasfur

Every small detail that you posted is exactly what I would expect to see. Everything is great. I see no problem buying another fish for Q. (3 weeks in Q would be nice)

The skimmer is also fine. It is normal for the skimate to reduce after a couple weeks of "catch up". You will find periods of time where the skimmer produces more than others.

NC Frank

Excellent. I will let you know what I decide on for a next fish.

What do you think about target feeding the goby and crab. The goby doesn't seem to be hunting for food much at all. Very active (am a little concerned that he has made the entire rock structure his domain. He pops out all over the place. Will this become an issue when more fish that are looking for a place in the rocks to call home are added). I have seen him eat some of the frozen foods that hit the bottom and I do see him occassionally sift the sand. It must be one of those things where he is actually eating enough but I am not seeing it. He is a smaller goby... just shy of 2 inches from head to tail.

Pasfur

I see no problem with the current feeding routine. You could try to target feed, but I doubt it is necessary. The Goby is sifting the sand for a lot of its nutritional needs, and like you said, it is very small. Just keep a good eye on it and make sure it is in fact feeding.

NC Frank

Well he was eating in QT and he definitely got a tiny bit of the formula 1 and 2 a couple of times with me watching since he was moved to the display.

NC Frank

Funny how these things work out. Fed Formula 1 tonight and a good bit made it to the bottom and the goby ate like a pig. The emerald crab even came out to the open and picked a few pieces off the sand.

terryap

ok, so when do the pics follow????