[numisticman]

First I would like to thank Brians 125 Alot of good info!!!

I have a small 40 gallon tank (not Drilled) and I am using a Penguin 350 Bio wheel filter, I have been told that this is not the best filter to use, What would be a good filter to use to have healthy reef tank? next I have a coralife Lunar Aqualight (1) 96 watt 10K daylight compact fluorecent and (1) 96 watt true actinic 03 blue compact fluorescent. Is this light capable of providing enough light to raise coral? how much day light vs. true blue actinic should I use? and last for now I have live rock that in the past 2 days have started turning brown ? I need some assistance please!!!!

thanx Ray

[glampka]

A good protein skimmer & your live rock should be all the filtering you should need. I wouldn't necessarily dump the bio wheel since it'll give you additional biological filtration. It all depends on what kind of coral you want to keep. I've used 2 x 55 watt PCs on my 30 gallon for years with no problems. You're probably getting a diatom bloom. Get yourself a clean-up crew, that should help & check phosphates.

[chappy]

you might want too add a sea storm like filter ( fluid based media that hangs on back of tank)

witht hhe bio wheel you will have no probs

[sellelg]

I agree with the protien skimmer suggestion. You can get a small one for not that much $

[fishnewb776]

if you want to keep sps corals or anenomies and clams, you should get at least ( for your tank) 400 watts otherwise with LPS you'll be fine

[fishnewb776]

i've heard ppl use the fluval or magnum filters, cause your live rock already gives biological filtration, may as well try some other type

[Reef-Daddy]

That filter will still do well in removing certain types of contaminants (with the proper media installed) along with the BIO wheel doing its job with ammonia and the nitrification process. But something (like a Protein Skimmer) is a must for a Reef-Tank. While watts per gallon is a way to measure what you system will support, it isn't full-proof.
96 * 2 = 192 Total 192/40 = 4.8 watts per gallon. That should be enough to support most corals although SPS and some LPS may require a little more.

The amount of time you dedicate for full illumination and blue actinic may be part of the next question/problem you asked. But reducing the time overall will help the next area. Once this is under control, it will depend on the Reef itself as to how much light it will require, but I usually have 8+ hours full and 1 hour Blue Actinic.

About the brown algae... it is normal and usually part of the cycle that will pass with time given you address it. You can be aggressive and or have patience, but you need to have a plan and get it under control. Snails are one of the best ways to help, make sure you are using R/O DI water only, check Phosphate levels... some if this was already mentioned, I am just reiterating. If Phosphate levels are up, you can get a media for your filter in order to reduce/remove the phosphate.

[numisticman]

Hello Reef DaddY!

Alot of great information!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REPLYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !


p.s I would also like to thank everyone else who has helped me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

please keep up the great work!

[tyoung]

You might also consider going to a sump/fuge/overflow setup as well, this will increase system water, have a place for your various equipment, and produce a food source. It would also provide a place for your skimmer. Just a thought.

[passinetti2007]

I'd suggest getting a remora aquaC protien skimmer they are a bit pricy but they make a smaller version for small nano tanks and I hear it works great. Also I agree with the cleaning crew. get a few hermits and some snail and you'll see the brown go bye bye. As far as lights go, they are right. If you really want to get sps corals and anenomes and clams you can do what i'm doing and just get another small tank and you can get a clip on metal halide light fixture and walla you got yourself another tank with corals you can't have in your other tank.

[numisticman]

passinetti2007,
Thank you for the info! I do appreciate it! I do have a Remora aquaC skimmer and it is working great!! I did add some hermits today and I aslo added my first 2 corals! and they both seem to have adjusted well!
Thank You!!!