PhishHead

I just got a 30 gallon tank live rock, penguin 200 filter, powerhead, i am doing , a 30% water change in the morning. do i need to get a protein skimmer r they necessasary. Havnt gotten any fish yet, letting it cycle for a week or so. any tips or pointers would be appreciated. What is the proper levels i need ex. (pH). My salt level seems to high how can i lower it?

ATKINSON

Welcome to Fishlore!! You can lower your salinity(salt level) by doing gradual water changes. It should be around 1.023.What is it at now? pH should be +-8.3. Is it going to be a FOWLR or a reef setup? That will determine whether you NEED a protein skimmer. If any more experienced salty members disagree then please correct me.

aquarist48

Hello PhishHead and Welcome to Fish Lore!
Ken

PhishHead

i have live rock set up. I havnt gotten any fish yet but planning on it. salinity is at 1.025

sgould

1.025 isn't bad...that's about where I try to keep my tanks. As for skimmer/filtration...if you plan to keep corals, get a skimmer. With no coral, you can get by without, though I still like them. In fact, as a general rule, I'd rather have live rock and skimmer to handle all filtration...leave out the power filter. If you do not go with a skimmer, you will need to be very diligent about water changes to keep your water quality up.

ATP

+1
skimmer takes a lot of trouble out of your hands

ATP,

PhishHead

just got my skimmer set it up hope i did it right the bubbles come up to the top of the tube in side the cup. not overflowing but right to the top. is this correct?

Godfather6reat

can you see scum/protien in the collection cup, the cup should not fill up with bubbles right away.

PhishHead

all i see is looks like water in the cup i have the whole thing sumbmerged up to the collection cup.