Frag Swap

[patchin]

I wanted to get some advice on what frags to choose at the swap. There's going to be so many beautiful frags. I don't want to bring home stuff that won't do well for me. I'd rather the experienced guys get the tougher corals.
So, I have a 40 ga tank, about a 20 ga sump, with an ASM(Phong's) skimmer. Circulation is minimal with only the sump return and one other powerhead. Lighting is a Hamilton combo fjxture, 175 MH and 2 65 watt PC.
We have been fairly successful with softies and lps, but have had trouble with attempts at sps. We have a 3" ASB, aragonite. Last time the ca was measured it was 660. Nitrates are under 10.

Thanks for your advice in advance.
Steve

 

[jkreefer]

I would deffinitly stick to the softies and lps untill you can get your perameters a little more in check. You want that calcium to be around 420ppm and your Alk to be about 8-9 dkh. Also with sps you want to have med to high flow with little to none on the Nitrates (Mabe 1-2). You have the lighting to do sps but you would need to change a few things about the way you run your tank. Good luck, and i'll see ya at the swap........just 5 more days!!!!!!!

 

[Elite]

I would double check the calcium and everything else again. What test kit are you using?

Hope you like the skimmer. It's over kill for your tank ..

 

[patchin]

The tests were done at Aquatic Gallery. I finally set up the skimmer on Sunday. It barely fit in my sump. So far it hasn't pulled out anything, should I be worried? I do plan to add more water tomorrow. It's in about 5-6 in of water.

 

[Elite]

How high is the water in the skimmer??

 

[patchin]

There's about 4" of water in the skimmer. I made up some more water this evening. It's making bubbles like crazy, but no scum is overflowing. How much more should I try to add?

 

[Elite]

No when you turn on the pump, how high is the water? You can raise the output pipe to raise the water level in the skimmer. It shouldn't be too low. Nothing will go into the collection cup if it's too low..

 

[sfsuphysics]

Steve: Don't hesitate to ask the frag swap area people any advice on the day of the frag swap. There will be plenty of helpers in the area to answer whatever question or give advice.

 

[patchin]

Skimmer level is now up to the top of the cylinder, where it starts to angle in. No scum????

 

[Elite]

Give it couple more days to (re)break in. I guess I cleaned the skimmer too good ;D .. LMK if you have any problem with it. It worked really well on my 100G and then 50G tanks.

 

[patchin]

Thanks for the info. I'll get back to you in a couple.

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Yep, double check Ca and Alk.

The tank sounds a little overskimmed for zoanthids. Other softies should be ok.

Grab some of the lord frags that BAR, Mike, and others will be putting in. Blastomussas too.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Geeze Norman single me out for lord frags, now I really need to make sure I bring sufficient numbers