[Tank Validation - Any Experienced Volunteer]

I have my 2.5 ft tank for more than a year and is pondering whether

what else I can improve my tank without any additional cost or very

minimal cost or if that's necessary at all (if I want my tank to look as good as many of the tanks here).

Was wondering if there is any willing volunteer who can perform a

'Tank Validation' for me FOC. (me staying in Paris Ris) The validation should include :-

- Water Quality (I have limited test kits)

- Fish/Invert Conditions

- Equipment Status

- Maintenance Status

- Improvement advise

Thanks

Lee

My current setup

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11033

[Seawater or Synthetic Better]

I've been using Seawater purchased from local farm since I started

more than a year back (lower cost). Recently someone told me the quality of these Seawater had deteriorated and he is changing to Synthetic Salt for a change.

Anyone has any experiences changing from Seawater to Synthetic (all other things unchanged) and had better results; .i.e corals staying opened longer and expanded better, etc.

[Mated Percula with Mis-band from CF]

Got a pair of Mis-band Percula from CF a few days back.

It stated Red Sea Clown (Amphiprion Bicinctus - 2-band clown) in the invoice. I supposed they got it wrong, it looks more like Amp Percula to me. Price paid is S$92.

Any comment.

[Lee 2.5 Ft Tank]

Tank nitrate level stabilises at around 30ppm to 60ppm.

Perform regular 50% water change bi-monthly and maintenance.

My Tank at 15th months; January 2004 (from Oct 2002)

Lists changes only

Filter:

Remove Hdor Prime10 External Filter 300l/h

Lighting Changed:

1 Coralite Actinic 18W (12 hrs) - 1" from surface

2.4' Matrix PL 12,000K lighting, 4x24watt

[Lee 2.5 Ft Tank]

Tank nitrate level increases again from 30ppm to 80ppm and with it many corals wiltered. Perform a major maintenance & cleanup.

My Tank at 12th months; October 2003 (from Oct 2002)

Lists changes only

Substrate:

Crush Coral remove

Fine Coral Sand increased to 3" depth

[Lee 2.5 Ft Tank]

Tank nitrate level increases to more than 80ppm and with it many

corals wiltered. Redone the maintenance.

My Tank at 10th months; August 2003 (from Oct 2002)

Lists changes only

Substrate:

Crush Coral 2" depth

Fine Coral Sand 1" depth (S$ 18)

Water Specs (typical):

Ammonia - Not check, Nitrite - Not check, Nitrate - 70-80 ppm

PH - 8.3, Temp - 27-29C, Salinity - 1.021-24

Livestocks :

Invertebrates

Blood Shrimp x1 (S$ 8)

Corals

Soft corals (S$ 8)

Bubble-type corals (S$ 15)

Mushrooms (S$ 12)

Anemone x 1 (S$ 40)

Button corals

Flat Brain coral (S$ 35)

Fish

Common clown x3 (S$ 6)

Yellow wrasse (S$ 5)

Green wrasse (S$ 5)

Blue damsel (S$ 5

Blue/yellow damsel (S$ 5

False Maroon Gamma (S$ 8)

Yellow Tank (S$ 25)

[Lee 2.5 Ft Tank]

My Tank at 5th months; March 2003 (from Oct 2002)

Tank:

Juwel Rio 125 - about 26 US Gallon (water only) (S$ 500)

Substrate:

Crush Coral 3-4" depth (S$ 30)

Live Rock about 33 pounds (S$ 150)

Water:

Filtered Seawater from LFW (S$ 0.80/gallon)

Water Specs (typical):

Ammonia - <0.1, Nitrite - <0.2, Nitrate - <15-25

PH - 8.3, Temp - 26-28C, Salinity - 1.021-24

Filter:

Juwel Internal Filter 600l/h (wool, act carbon, sponge)

Hdor Prime10 External Filter 300l/h (wool, act carbon, ceramic)(S$ 90)

Eden 228 Power Head 1000l/h (S$ 40)

Skimmer Piccolo Sander (using air difusser)(S$ 25)

Chiller:

China Resun (set for 26-27C, room temp 32-34C)(S$ 699)

Lighting: (2" from tank surface)

Coralite Actinic 18W x 2 (12 hrs)

Arcadia Marine White 18W x 3 (9 hrs)(S$ 150)

Livestocks :

Invertebrates

Blood Shrimp x2 (S$ 8)

Red Starfish x1 (S$ 5)

Duster worms x2 (S$ 1.50)

Corals

Leather coral (S$8)

Xenia (S$ 10)

Dead Man coral (S$ 8)

Sun coral (S$ 8)

Soft corals (S$ 8)

Bubble-type corals (S$ 15)

Mushrooms (S$ 12)

Fungai coral (S$ 18)

Aemone corals (S$ 25)

Anemone x 2 (S$ 30)

various

Fish

Maroon clown (S$ 8)

Common clown x3 (S$ 8)

Yellow wrasse (S$ 5)

Green wrasse (S$ 5)

Flame angel (S$ 48)

Potter angel (S$ 48)

Blue damsel (S$ 4)

Blue/yellow damsel (S$ 5)

My current feeding regime :-

Daily - 1 cube of frozen blood worm

2x Weekly - pieces of prawns

1x Weekly - brine shrimps