Hi there! New to this forum and new to salt. I've done freshwater for 30 years so have "limited" knowledge on that, but nil on saltwater. I have a GREAT small mom and pop saltwater store near me where everyone is extremely helpful (and they don't push anything!), but I figured I'd ask some questions here as well.
A little about the tank:
55 Gallon, Emperor 400 filtrations system
sand bottom, many porous rocks, but not live.
Tank was started in January. It ran for 3 weeks empty.
I added Starter fish and it ran another 4 weeks.
Had my water tested (and tested it myself). All levels were perfect! Added a couple more fish and am now struggling with some rising nitrates. They are not super high, but I want to nip this in the bud before they get high. (I'm pretty sure "I" caused this myself as I have a very stubborn Moray that's on a hunger strike right now and I was trying to feed him daily, when he wouldn't eat it, my puffer would. Daily feedings I know are a no-no). So, I have stopped that practice.
Current tank inhabitants: 1 damsel, 2 clowns, 1 puffer, and 1 moray
All fish doing spectacular and eating well (except the moray, he's on a hunger strike, but I"ve heard they do that)
Few questions and thanks in advance from the newbie! :)
1) I'm used to vacuuming out rocks in a tank. Sand is another story. I've been vaccuuming it best I can, but any recomendations on keeping it clean as it is very hard to vacuum. Any bottom feeders that will pick up leftover food and can help with this?
2) Is there anything comparable to the freshwater pleco to clean the glass or is it done by hand?
3) Nitrates. I'm doing daily changes to try to bring it down again, but anything else that can be done? And what do you recommend to keep it down? I've heard the addition of live rock can be great. True? I really don't want to get into a separate canister system and I have heard that they can actually make things worse if not tended to regularly so trying to avoid this.
4) I've heard folks mention some kind of "fiber" being used to collect debris and lower nitrates as well? What is this? Can it be used in my system?
5) My filter system. It's an Emperor 400 (good up to 80 gal tank, moving 400 gallons an hour) I had one for my 14" Oscar and it kept the tank immaculate with great readings. but, is this sufficient for the saltwater tank (both tanks were same size)? I am really hoping to hold on to this as I just purchased this when I set up the tank.
Again, thanks in advance for your help!
A little about the tank:
55 Gallon, Emperor 400 filtrations system
sand bottom, many porous rocks, but not live.
Tank was started in January. It ran for 3 weeks empty.
I added Starter fish and it ran another 4 weeks.
Had my water tested (and tested it myself). All levels were perfect! Added a couple more fish and am now struggling with some rising nitrates. They are not super high, but I want to nip this in the bud before they get high. (I'm pretty sure "I" caused this myself as I have a very stubborn Moray that's on a hunger strike right now and I was trying to feed him daily, when he wouldn't eat it, my puffer would. Daily feedings I know are a no-no). So, I have stopped that practice.
Current tank inhabitants: 1 damsel, 2 clowns, 1 puffer, and 1 moray
All fish doing spectacular and eating well (except the moray, he's on a hunger strike, but I"ve heard they do that)
Few questions and thanks in advance from the newbie! :)
1) I'm used to vacuuming out rocks in a tank. Sand is another story. I've been vaccuuming it best I can, but any recomendations on keeping it clean as it is very hard to vacuum. Any bottom feeders that will pick up leftover food and can help with this?
2) Is there anything comparable to the freshwater pleco to clean the glass or is it done by hand?
3) Nitrates. I'm doing daily changes to try to bring it down again, but anything else that can be done? And what do you recommend to keep it down? I've heard the addition of live rock can be great. True? I really don't want to get into a separate canister system and I have heard that they can actually make things worse if not tended to regularly so trying to avoid this.
4) I've heard folks mention some kind of "fiber" being used to collect debris and lower nitrates as well? What is this? Can it be used in my system?
5) My filter system. It's an Emperor 400 (good up to 80 gal tank, moving 400 gallons an hour) I had one for my 14" Oscar and it kept the tank immaculate with great readings. but, is this sufficient for the saltwater tank (both tanks were same size)? I am really hoping to hold on to this as I just purchased this when I set up the tank.
Again, thanks in advance for your help!
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