Such an amazing group, thanks for the warm welcome. I have a 15 gallon tank (fluval flex) and realize now I wish I started bigger. Water changes are a pain because I'm stocking up on water from Neptune and that is a pretty good haul for me. Is there any way to create suitable water at home to make water changes easier? My main goal is to set up an amazing reef tank. I've purchased a total of 5 frags to date and 3 remain. 2 don't appear to be opening as much as they initially did and the zoa I put in the tank has never opened. I have 2 clowns, a few turbo snails and a handful of blue leg hermit crabs. I'm questioning if I have the correct flow, light and coral placement in my tank. I'm running the stock pump plus and a small power head. I have a the stock light going and a fluvalsmart aquasky and I'm guessing I need a better light setup altogether. Placement of the corals, I'm just moving them around from time to time to see if they become happier in one spot over another. No such luck....
I'll post some pics shortly.
I test water regularly and all parameters are pretty consistent as follows:
water temp=79 deg
SG=1.027
Phosphate=0.03ppm
pH=7.8
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate=5ppm
I'm using an API master test kit, probably not the most accurate but should be pretty close right?
Also, should I consider adding a small protein skimmer?
svreef, thanks for the DM. I will reach out for sure.
ArvinR, I hope the info I provided is enough to point me in the right direction.
IOnce, any advise you are willing to share I would greatly appreciate it.
KensingtonReefer, no doubt about that, runner up to the best $30 I've ever spent!
I'll second the comment that getting an RODI system is a great investment. It not only saves you time but also money, and you get a lot more control over the water you put in your tank.
I will also second DaddyHook's suggestion of getting an ATO. Salinity is, bar none, your most important parameter because it influences every single other parameter in your tank. I'm also a big proponent of automation in reefkeeping because my philosophy is that, the less you *have* to do, the more you'll enjoy it.
On that note, I'd also highly recommend not relying on the internal thermostat of your heater. Not only can they be inaccurate, but - if it fails in the 'on' position - you can cook your tank. Something like this is a good investment, and also lets you hook up a fan to the cooling element:
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-Waterproof/dp/B08VNRJRKY (NOTE: if you do buy one like this, make sure you get the one with the waterproof probe like in the link; the metal probe will corrode).
Flow is more art than science. You can play around with it a bit but I'm of the opinion it's something that you just have to kind of 'feel out' and see what your corals like. Caveats apply (don't put LPS like frogspawn right in front of a powerhead on full blast, for instance), but there's no 'right' answer here.
Salinity is your most important parameter, and typically you'll want to aim for 1.024-1.026. pH is also pretty important, and is usually 8.0 - 8.4 (though my frag tank downstairs hovers around 7.9 - 8.0, and is fine as well), but that's something you typically don't mess with. Alkalinity is your next most important parameter, particularly if you're going to be keeping stony corals (anything that's not a zoa, mushroom, kenya tree, etc). Alkalinity helps keep your pH stable, influences calcium and magnesium levels, and the target range is 7 to 12 (though the most common range, anecdotally, is 8 to 9).
As for a protein skimmer - generally, a protein skimmer is a good idea (increases oxygenation/helps keep pH in range, helps with NO3/PO4 control), but I don't think it's an immediate necessity.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is: stability is key. That's not to say you need to keep your numbers EXACT (there will always be fluctuations throughout the day, and you'll come to realize the 'range' of things being okay), but keeping your water chemistry mostly the same from day-to-day gives your tank the best opportunity to grow and thrive.
