i think this is better than dfwmas for help..

[abufisher]

Hello ALL,

Even though this is more of the Freshwater forum of DFW I'm so glad there is a Saltwater section on here.

When I go onto DFWMAS.ORG it feels more like a shopping center. I don't see many threads about what's going on with their tank or anything interesting.

A couple questions i have about saltwater and I hope I can find the answer.

I have a JBJ Nano 12g DX as everyone seems to be aware that saw my posts.

1) If I changed my lighting to all 10,000k bulbs -- example (2) 10,000k bulbs @ 24w each, that would give my tank 4watts per gallon? I currently have (2) 50/50 Actinic/10,000k? I am assuming it is 10k.. lol.

2) If I have a Diatom outbreak because my tank is still cycling, do I need to siphon it right away or leave it and it will eventually go away?

3) How much longer does it typically take for Saltwater to cycle then Freshwater?

4) I normally go to DNA/FG/Mid-Cities/True Percula for my addiction.. but they have the same things.. are there other LFS that can compete in price and variety? (FG was actually pretty bare on saltwater corals/livestock- and TP seems to over price) ---- on the LFS Map on here I see EXOTIC AQUATICS / NEPTUNES COVE / THE FISH PLACE / JUST FOR PETS ... Has anyone been to these other LFS that are rarely mentioned? And how is the overall shopping experience in there?

Thank you for everyone's Support !!!

[pope]

1.) If it takes 2 24w bulbs you already have 4wpg. full 10k will be your best bet for growth at the sacrifice of color.
2.) Diatoms will go away on their own eventually
3.) Standard cycle is similar. Stabilizing your system can take 3-6 months.
4.) Neptunes is salt only, and I'll plug Rift2Reef in Flower Mound

[abufisher]

Thank you for the answers!

1)When you say stabilizing the system, how can you tell if it is stable?

2)I am actually looking for the best LFS to buy from as far as prices, quality, and variety.

3)everyone on the dfwmas.org are so fast to reply its like really hard to buy from others. haha ... hoarders...

4)is 4wpg pretty good strong for corals? --- if i did 3wpg what is the limit of corals? examples please. :)

[scheri11]

Hello ALL,

Even though this is more of the Freshwater forum of DFW I'm so glad there is a Saltwater section on here.

When I go onto DFWMAS.ORG it feels more like a shopping center. I don't see many threads about what's going on with their tank or anything interesting.

A couple questions i have about saltwater and I hope I can find the answer.

I have a JBJ Nano 12g DX as everyone seems to be aware that saw my posts.

1) If I changed my lighting to all 10,000k bulbs -- example (2) 10,000k bulbs @ 24w each, that would give my tank 4watts per gallon? I currently have (2) 50/50 Actinic/10,000k? I am assuming it is 10k.. lol.

2) If I have a Diatom outbreak because my tank is still cycling, do I need to siphon it right away or leave it and it will eventually go away?

3) How much longer does it typically take for Saltwater to cycle then Freshwater?

4) I normally go to DNA/FG/Mid-Cities/True Percula for my addiction.. but they have the same things.. are there other LFS that can compete in price and variety? (FG was actually pretty bare on saltwater corals/livestock- and TP seems to over price) ---- on the LFS Map on here I see EXOTIC AQUATICS / NEPTUNES COVE / THE FISH PLACE / JUST FOR PETS ... Has anyone been to these other LFS that are rarely mentioned? And how is the overall shopping experience in there?

Thank you for everyone's Support !!!
This place is way better most people on there just ignore you

[Typical Tony]

I would tell you to read the sticky at the top of the SW section or to google your questions but most likely you won't...

[Mwil3]

1) You will have to test you water pretty frequently to see when your levels start to be consistent.\

2) Most LFS are about the same (from my experience...) Some have great experiences at one, but then I don't. Try a few and you will find that you may have a good experience at one in particular. I am willing to pay a little more if I get treated well and I know the store cares about their products and their customers. (Frank's Tanks....Fish2Morrow are both great, but deal in only saltwater)

3) That happens here to an extent, but you will find that the people here seem much more friendly and eager to help (to me it seems that way anyhow)

The old wpg rule is just kind of a guide. There are so many things that factor into lighting, that just doesn't help a whole lot anymore. Do a bit of research on google and your head will be swimming with way more information than you could ever need.

I had 2 65w pc bulbs on a 20L (1 10k and 1 50/50) and I was able to keep most softies and LPS alive and even thrive.
I would think that if you ran 1 10k and 1 50/50 you would be fine with most softies and still have a nice color. You could probably keep a frogspawn or hammer, shrooms, palys, some zoas.

[JMatthew]

I would tell you to read the sticky at the top of the SW section or to google your questions but most likely you won't...


Where the heck is the "mute" button. My xBox has one so surely there is one on the 'fishbox!

[biggin]

Add to Ignore list under the profile.

Where the heck is the "mute" button. My xBox has one so surely there is one on the 'fishbox!

[abufisher]

hahah, im beginning to think Typical Tony has been on this forum for far too long and is seeing Dejavu. so he doesnt like answering the same questions to the newbies.

im sure he doesnt tell his friends to google everything. or maybe someone told him to google everything when he was starting out in the hobby. or forgot what its like to learn a new hobby. (you normally ask questions)

abufisher added 2 Minutes and 23 Seconds later...

OH! and i was thinking of converting to LED.. i did post a topic on what options to do with my 12g NC and this is what i got in reply:

http://www.ecoxotic.com/aquarium-led-lights/panorama-modules/panorama-pro-module.html

does anyone have experience with these lights?

they do look tempting.

abufisher added 5 Minutes and 22 Seconds later...

just to make sure i googled "palys" and i dont really get a list? is that the full name ? .....are they the same as Zoanthids?

Thanks!

[greeneyed]

Palythoa. Similar to zoanthids, but I believe all palys are toxic and need extra care when handling.

When it comes to sw, Tony has a point. You need the most knowledge going in. You need to know what ti do in certain situations. Right away. A tank can crash in minutes/ hours. And you need to know what to do. Not hope someone will come along in a few hours who does. By then it could be too late. So the more you research and read the better you success rate will be.

I let my tank cycle naturally, and took the 4-6 months just reading.

Good luck

[ewok]

Palythoa. Similar to zoanthids, but I believe all palys are toxic and need extra care when handling.

When it comes to sw, Tony has a point. You need the most knowledge going in. You need to know what ti do in certain situations. Right away. A tank can crash in minutes/ hours. And you need to know what to do. Not hope someone will come along in a few hours who does. By then it could be too late. So the more you research and read the better you success rate will be.

I let my tank cycle naturally, and took the 4-6 months just reading.

Good luck

:exactly:

[pope]

Tony only links to the sticky because if you're not willing to put in real research then you're better off not incurring the cost of SW. My current build sat empty with rocks and crabs (they came in with the rocks) for 3 months, and then it took another 6 months to move the remainder of my previous tank in. One piece of coral, one live rock at a time no more than one or two things a week into the new tank. This was an "established" tank move too. Don't think because you bought someone else' running setup that it's ready to go once it gets to your house. Anytime rock or sand hit air microfauna dies.

Personally I go by alk/calc depletion to know when a tank really starts to lock in. Ammonia/nitrite/nitrate will have all zeroed out months before this starts happening. The slightest mis-step, or even rescaping your rocks can subvert months of patient waiting. Get in the habit of being slow, and never freak out. The more you read now, the better your experience is going to be in general.