Water Test Levels.

Jonnybucko · 01/27/2010, 09:10 PM

I started my new Saltwater Tank last Friday. It's a 55 gallon tank with a Marineland Eclipse Filtration System. Live Rock and Fish only Tank. I have bout 15 to 20 lbs of live rock at the moment. I ran my tank for a few days, then added some starter fish. They are doing very well!! I just tested my water for the first time since adding fish: PH= 8.2; Ammonia= 0.25; Nitrite= 0; Nitrate= 20. Are these acceptable levels for the place I'm at?

Jonnybucko · 01/27/2010, 09:10 PM

P.S. I tested the water before I put fish in and all levels were acceptable.

spleify · 01/27/2010, 09:37 PM

That tank is not ready for fish!! A "few days" is not long enough to wait to start adding fish.

I would suggest that you pull those fish out and bring them back to your LFS and ask them to hold them for you as your tank is not even cycled yet.

Flipper62 · 01/28/2010, 01:29 AM

I agree with Spleify.... A FEW DAYS ???? Then adding fish ???

Was this your Idea.......or Did your LFS tell you that it was OK ?

costellow · 01/28/2010, 09:32 AM

EEEEEK? Your tank needs to cycle, Test every week until you see numbers spike and then settle back down.

Flying_Hellfish · 01/28/2010, 09:35 AM

Read the posts in your other thread, there is a ton of helpful, but maybe hard to listen to, advice there.

I just got started too and believe me, it was really hard for me to test every day and wait for the ammonia to go down. Fish that aren't belly up is the reward.

rgonzalez · 01/28/2010, 10:06 AM

+100 on everything that was said.

01/27/2010, 09:10 PM	#1
Jonnybucko Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 88	Water Test Levels. I started my new Saltwater Tank last Friday. It's a 55 gallon tank with a Marineland Eclipse Filtration System. Live Rock and Fish only Tank. I have bout 15 to 20 lbs of live rock at the moment. I ran my tank for a few days, then added some starter fish. They are doing very well!! I just tested my water for the first time since adding fish: PH= 8.2; Ammonia= 0.25; Nitrite= 0; Nitrate= 20. Are these acceptable levels for the place I'm at?

01/27/2010, 09:37 PM	#3
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	That tank is not ready for fish!! A "few days" is not long enough to wait to start adding fish. I would suggest that you pull those fish out and bring them back to your LFS and ask them to hold them for you as your tank is not even cycled yet. __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

01/28/2010, 01:29 AM	#4
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I agree with Spleify.... A FEW DAYS ???? Then adding fish ??? Was this your Idea.......or Did your LFS tell you that it was OK ? __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

01/28/2010, 10:06 AM	#7
rgonzalez Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 892	+100 on everything that was said. __________________ DSA 105 Current Tank Info: 105 DSA

01/28/2010, 09:32 AM	#5
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	EEEEEK? Your tank needs to cycle, Test every week until you see numbers spike and then settle back down.

01/28/2010, 09:35 AM	#6
Flying_Hellfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 253	Read the posts in your other thread, there is a ton of helpful, but maybe hard to listen to, advice there. I just got started too and believe me, it was really hard for me to test every day and wait for the ammonia to go down. Fish that aren't belly up is the reward.