10 gallon project-starting now!

[discus4everGrl]

Ok I have a question. If I find any of those bristle worms what should I do with them, pull em out?

 

[aresgod]

no, a few bristle worms are fine. If you see 30 of them then yes buy/build a trap and get rid of them

 

[discus4everGrl]

I may never want another freshwater tank again!

 

[1979camaro]

thats how i feel.....

 

[discus4everGrl]

OK, now I'm scared. I have been reading this forum with reef pics and each one has a section where the owner can put a tip and so many of them say not to use tap water. I used tap water with plenty of water conditioner that gets rid of clorine, cloramines, and metals. Did I make a huge mistake using tap water?

 

[aresgod]

well, its full of phosphates and other stuff so you will most likely have an algae problem. with a tank that small it would be better to go buy RO/Di water from you LFS or even grocery store when you do water changes.

 

[discus4everGrl]

should I do a water change now, or just wait it out?

 

[1979camaro]

i would reccomend getting a phosphate test kit to go with all your others...chances are you will need it at some point anyway. then, i would test the water and see what your phosphate levels are...your tap water might be ok to use (mine is)

 

[Grymatta]

hey...if the salt mixes buffer up your water..why do you need to add more buffers in?

also..so its not wise to even use tap water? whats too high of a phospate level?

 

[aresgod]

really ideally there should be 0 phosphate. and you add buffer because your corals will use up your AKh and Dkh, so you have to add stuff in to replace what the corals use up.

 

[discus4everGrl]

Ok - I got a phospate test kit. My tap water is very minimal, less that 0.05ppm. It barely registers at all so it should be ok, right?

 

[aresgod]

yes, but then what is causing the excess algae? find that and then you've fixed your problem.

 

[discus4everGrl]

I don't have any algea in my tank yet.

 

[aresgod]

yea my bad, thought I was replying to a different thread

 

[discus4everGrl]

ok, here is the pic of my nano with live rock. Been thinking about a clean up crew soon.....

 

[Grymatta]

aresgod..

thanks for the buffer info. Do you know what brand/type of buffer to buy? What do you use? There are sooo many buffers/chemicals out there I dont know where to start.

is there one solution that can do all my buffering and put in trace elements?
I saw something from Kent that came in 2 bottles..designed esp for nano reef tanks.

 

[1979camaro]

looks good, albeit a bit empty

 

[discus4everGrl]

so should I add more than my 11 pounds of lr to a 10 gallon? Maybe some taller pieces....

 

[1979camaro]

i was meaning water level...rock looks fine to me

 

[discus4everGrl]

doh, yeah - I am going to run out later or tomorrow and pick up some salt. I am ready to do a water change. I also plan on putting a piece of black or very dark blue cardboard on the back of it soon.