NEED some feedback!

[snakamoto]

I recently setup a 55G and wanted some feedback on my setup and also got a few questions.
Alright I have a drilled 55G tank with built in over flow that goes to a 20G sump. An iwaki MD20rxlt for my return pump which is producing micro bubbles cant figure this out its kind of annoying"1st ?". I also have 2 MJ 1200 for added water movement, do you think this is to much water movement to add some zoa's and mushrooms"2nd?" A CPR dual bakpak for a skimmer, I know these dont have the greatest reputaion but I got it for 50 bucks and got it work with a little bit of frustration. I recently added a refug which is 18x4.5x12 with a pound of live sand, 7 lbs. of live rock and some chaeto, and red alge (dont know the exact name for the red alge but was told tangs love it) lighting on refug is on oppisite time as tank light. As for tank lighting there is 2x MH 14K 175 watt and 2x VHO actinic 110 watt. How long should I have my lighting on for?
The tank was cycled out using 60 lbs. of fiji premium, 50 lbs. kelani. Never seen any hitchhikers or any other forms of life on the LR yet? is this normal?

I have been stocking my tank slowly and not having much luck. I first put in my cleaning crew which consist of 25 astrea's, 10 nassiura's "sorry for the spelling", 10 hermits and 1 serpent star about 3.5 to 4 in. across. I than added 2 percula clowns and 2 firefish, FF has been MIA for 5 days now. After putting the FF in the tank they both found a cave and 1 FF came out the next day but looked a little beat up? on the 3rd day 1 of my clowns looked like he got beat up and died later on that day. I also got 1 bi-color blenny who seems to be doing fine along with the 1 clown who is left. what could be the culprit? I have never heard any clicking sounds coming from the tank and looked for the FF cause I know they like to jump but found notting. I want to soon start stocking up with corals but afraid to put anything else in there from fear of them dying too!

My water parimeters are good Ammonia-0, Nitirites-0, Nirates-0, and PH-8.2. I will greatly appreciate your feedback, I think this site is awesome there is so much information! Once again thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Anonymous]

microbubbles from an external waterpump are usually caused by either a restricted input causing cavitation, or a pinhold leak in the plumbing between the sump and the pump. There are other possible causes but these two are the most common and the easiest to check.

 

[snakamoto]

How do I check for these variable's? Not to good on the plumbing side.

 

[Anonymous]

If you restrict the output a little and the bubbles stop then it's likely to be cavitation.

Plumbers puddy can be used to check all of your connections in the plumbing. Wrap a bead of puddy around each fitting to make sure they're air tight. If the bubbles stop you can start removing the puddy one by one until you find the leak.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

The whole no hitchhikers thing sounds a bit odd. Did ya order your LR from somewhere or purchase from LFS? I've had a 125g reef running for around 7 months and I'm STILL finding new HHs all the time. I've pulled out 2 mantis shrimp and theres still a third hiding in there somewhere (which have since been made in to badass little species tank inhabitants).

Point being all sorts of crazy stuff could be hiding in your rock still even if ya haven't seen it. (and BTW I mysteriously lost a FF also one day).

On the other hand keep an eye on your hermits. Don't know how big they are, but many people shy away from hermits all together. I have a few in my mantis tank that are big and pretty, but keep none in my reef larger than an inch or two. Once they get kinda large their night forraging runs could place them right next to a slow moving sleeping fire fish (for example )

GL to ya,

Chris

 

[snakamoto]

The LR was from a LFS in texas cant recall the name but the reason I did this is I am living in shitport louisiana (hope I didnt offend anyone but I am born in raised in hawaii) and they have notthing here, literaly! I guess there could be numerous HH that I had never seen but I think its kind of odd.
My hermits are pretty tiny I really doubt they could be my problem, but then agian I should'nt assume right. Thanks!