18 gal

[Russell]

I recently upgraded to 2 96 watt powerquads and am wondering if I am still limited to what I can keep.

As of now I have:
18 gal 18" tall 20" wide 10" deep
cascade 200 power filter
2 96 watt PowerQuad
old 200 watt heater
Maxi-Jet 900
5 lbs live rock
20lbs CaribSea African cichlid Sahara Sand

1 Blue Damsel

The tank is approximately 4 weeks old and I will soon be adding another 25 lbs of LR and a AquaC Remora protein skimmer. I plan on eventually removing the damsel and adding some corals (unknown) and a couple fish.

Since I am new to reef tanks is there anything you recommend I stay away from? Is there anything else I might need or any info that might eliminate future problems?


TIA.

[miztahphong2]

thats pretty intense lighting. that gives you about 10.6 watts per gallon. you can keep polyps, soft corals, lps, and even some sps. i think a good starting coral will be polyps since theyre really hardy and then move on up to softies, then the hard corals. stay away from the hard corals (sps and lps) until you get more firmiliar with them by researching and getting more experience with the hardier corals.

[Russell]

Would now be a good time for a clean up crew? Now I have got algae and small bubbles growing all over my LR. I do weekly 25% water changes using RO water and have read this is normal for new tanks. Would adding a clean up crew help? If so, what would you suggest for my 18 gal?

[miztahphong2]

those small bubbles seem to be air bubbles. what kinda filter are you using? if you are using a hob you need to raise the water level in your tank. there shouldnt be bubbles floating around and getting on your live rock kuz it will cause dead rock. as for clean up critters id go wit habout 5 blue leg hermits, and 5 scarlets if possible. about 7 snails, and 1 cleaner shrimp or coral banded shrimp. maybe a emerald crab too if you get green bubble algae.

[Russell]

What should i do about the brown leaves?

[coral_diver]

You should always do a clean up job on your rock before you put it in your tank and pry pull etc what dead stuff or even rotting stuff off so you keep your cycle as short as possible and dont spike your ammonia higher than needed. you can use a new toothbrush to get dead sponge etc off but dont for gosh sake scrub your rock down! I have heard of some using tweezers, pliars, screwdrivers etc to aid in tough removal of dead stuff. The clean up of the rock also gives you a chance to see which end should go up and which should go down there are some obviouse signs you will see. Consider it getting to know your rock :lol: . Dont forget after the cleaning give it a good rinse before placing it in your tank or you will make a mess of the water with any remaining loose material.

Are those bubbles on your rock etc or is that bubble algea?

[SaltyDawg]

Those bubbles could also be nitrogen being released by the bio-filtration of the live rock. While I have never seen that many bubbles on my LR I do see the nitrogen bubbles coming out of my live sand on a pretty regular basis.
Wayne