new to reef, first reef tank!

[kwirky]

rearranged the liverock... again. Luckily the little bits of sponge that were just starting to form on the rocks didn't really die off. Two days now and still no spikes in water quality. Everything's at undetectable. Gold's said the liverock was already cured. I'm getting one or two cerith snails tomorrow because the diatoms are getting unsightly and I don't want to wait a couple weeks for them to go away.

On another note, I've switched to RO water for my water changes. A place just 3 blocks away from my house opened up that gives 5 gallon refills for $2. Quite affordable for now ($8 a month) until I get myself an in-home RO unit. I'm still following my 4 gallons per week water changes. Theoretically in 2.5 months I'll have cleared out the tap water.

I've begun looking for 70w DE MH lighting too. I'm sure the aqualight mini fixtures aren't enough light, and putting two more on would crowd the top and give no room for my moonlight.

oh anyone have any experience with hermit crabs?