Nano reef tank. advice needed.

marcj · 04/29/2009, 04:18 PM

Hi all,

I started my 10 gallon nano tank about 2 weeks ago.

Day 1: 10lbs. of live aragonite sand was added (purchased), 9 gallons of distilled water, instant ocean sea salt, 2 damsel fish and a 4 pound cured fiji rock.

A few days later I added T-5 lighting. 8-10 hours per day.

15 days later, my ammonia levels have started to drop, so I went to get a set of full test strips from walmart. Nitrate shows up a little, probably around 5ppm.. Nitrite is 0, Alkalinity is 180ppm, pH is 8.4

So, how much longer do you think I could let the tank sit? I started getting green hair algae a few days ago, so I picked up a big turbo snail.

Any advice? does it sound as if things are going good? I've been told algae means the tank is near stable.. but two weeks?! doesn't seem possible based on what I've been reading.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/29/2009, 04:22 PM

My advice? Take the damsels out. What brand of test kits are you using?

marcj · 04/29/2009, 04:28 PM

Jungle Labs Quick Dip 6-In-1

texas57 · 04/29/2009, 04:34 PM

what kind of filtration are you using?

marcj · 04/29/2009, 04:41 PM

a huge regent aqua-tech filter. i wasn't using it for most of this time though.

I also have a power head.

RyanDragon · 04/29/2009, 04:55 PM

definitely take the damsels out and if u can afford it,, buy a hang on back skimmer.. and quick dip is not accurate for saltwater so i would recommend using a liquid test instead of quick dip.

marcj · 04/29/2009, 04:58 PM

i'm just not sure why the damsels should be removed. some say they help the cycle, others say no..

marcj · 04/29/2009, 08:41 PM

one quick question, based on this graph, I SHOULD be seeing Nitrite at the point i'm at.. my ammonia is dropping, and I see signs of Nitrate.. but NO Nitrite

Mopar Reefer · 04/29/2009, 10:31 PM

Your alk is what? 180 ppm?

04/29/2009, 04:18 PM	#1
marcj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fleming Island Posts: 9	Nano reef tank. advice needed. Hi all, I started my 10 gallon nano tank about 2 weeks ago. Day 1: 10lbs. of live aragonite sand was added (purchased), 9 gallons of distilled water, instant ocean sea salt, 2 damsel fish and a 4 pound cured fiji rock. A few days later I added T-5 lighting. 8-10 hours per day. 15 days later, my ammonia levels have started to drop, so I went to get a set of full test strips from walmart. Nitrate shows up a little, probably around 5ppm.. Nitrite is 0, Alkalinity is 180ppm, pH is 8.4 So, how much longer do you think I could let the tank sit? I started getting green hair algae a few days ago, so I picked up a big turbo snail. Any advice? does it sound as if things are going good? I've been told algae means the tank is near stable.. but two weeks?! doesn't seem possible based on what I've been reading.

04/29/2009, 04:22 PM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	My advice? Take the damsels out. What brand of test kits are you using? __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/29/2009, 04:55 PM	#6
RyanDragon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 343	definitely take the damsels out and if u can afford it,, buy a hang on back skimmer.. and quick dip is not accurate for saltwater so i would recommend using a liquid test instead of quick dip. __________________ 25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting

04/29/2009, 04:28 PM	#3
marcj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fleming Island Posts: 9	Jungle Labs Quick Dip 6-In-1

04/29/2009, 04:34 PM	#4
texas57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 41	what kind of filtration are you using?

04/29/2009, 04:41 PM	#5
marcj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fleming Island Posts: 9	a huge regent aqua-tech filter. i wasn't using it for most of this time though. I also have a power head.

04/29/2009, 04:58 PM	#7
marcj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fleming Island Posts: 9	i'm just not sure why the damsels should be removed. some say they help the cycle, others say no..

04/29/2009, 08:41 PM	#8
marcj Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fleming Island Posts: 9	one quick question, based on this graph, I SHOULD be seeing Nitrite at the point i'm at.. my ammonia is dropping, and I see signs of Nitrate.. but NO Nitrite

04/29/2009, 10:31 PM	#9
Mopar Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach Posts: 465	Your alk is what? 180 ppm?