New tank running for a week.

theredview · 09/25/2011, 01:35 PM

My 55g tank has been running for a week now. Just a couple problems that i got questions about.

My protein skimmer doesnt seem to be collecting anything. Is that normal for a week old tank?

All my chemical tests on PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia turned out good. PH was .2 low but other than that all the other tests were perfect. Am i ready for fish or does my tank need to cycle a few more weeks.

Last, While my tank is in the cycling stage should i have my lighting connected or would that cause algae to grow?

Thanks in advance.

rabbitfishy · 09/25/2011, 01:46 PM

Has your tank had an ammonia/nitrate spike? Do you have live rocks in your tank? Your skimmer should be picking up something, it should not be 100% clean.

Algae is good to start growing if you want to add grazing fish/snails

Lorenz725 · 09/25/2011, 01:46 PM

The protein will not really pic anything up if there is nothing in the tank

Do you have live rock in the tank if so how much?

Some say run the lights others say no. I did when my tank was in cycle and I did not have any problems.

Have you added a shrimp or food or anything in the tank to start the cycle?

theredview · 09/25/2011, 02:39 PM

I have 60lbs of live rock and I added some biological enhancer to the tank to give it a kick start. Im not at home so I can't tell you the brand name.

Also I have had no spikes at all. Maybe I didn't put enough of the biological enhancer.

The biological enhancer said its supposed to add beneficial bacteria to the filtration system to help start a new tank.

Sk8r · 09/25/2011, 02:46 PM

Toss the miracle-in-a-bottle. Just rely on your live rock and wait. There is no hurrying this process. The bacteria are there from your rock, never mind the dubious potion. They just need exposure to decent water and nutrient to spread through the micropores of sand and rock.
When your tank has cycled, you'll start only with snails at first. Once they have been at work for a week and the tank is doing well, buy a fish and keep it in quarantine for 4 weeks, not letting its water NEAR your tank. Parasites in this hobby are lethal and easily spread. Be sure a fish is parasite free before putting it in.

09/25/2011, 01:35 PM	#1
theredview Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 6	New tank running for a week. My 55g tank has been running for a week now. Just a couple problems that i got questions about. My protein skimmer doesnt seem to be collecting anything. Is that normal for a week old tank? All my chemical tests on PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia turned out good. PH was .2 low but other than that all the other tests were perfect. Am i ready for fish or does my tank need to cycle a few more weeks. Last, While my tank is in the cycling stage should i have my lighting connected or would that cause algae to grow? Thanks in advance.

09/25/2011, 02:46 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Toss the miracle-in-a-bottle. Just rely on your live rock and wait. There is no hurrying this process. The bacteria are there from your rock, never mind the dubious potion. They just need exposure to decent water and nutrient to spread through the micropores of sand and rock. When your tank has cycled, you'll start only with snails at first. Once they have been at work for a week and the tank is doing well, buy a fish and keep it in quarantine for 4 weeks, not letting its water NEAR your tank. Parasites in this hobby are lethal and easily spread. Be sure a fish is parasite free before putting it in. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

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09/25/2011, 01:46 PM	#2
rabbitfishy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 38	Has your tank had an ammonia/nitrate spike? Do you have live rocks in your tank? Your skimmer should be picking up something, it should not be 100% clean. Algae is good to start growing if you want to add grazing fish/snails

09/25/2011, 01:46 PM	#3
Lorenz725 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 942	The protein will not really pic anything up if there is nothing in the tank Do you have live rock in the tank if so how much? Some say run the lights others say no. I did when my tank was in cycle and I did not have any problems. Have you added a shrimp or food or anything in the tank to start the cycle?

09/25/2011, 02:39 PM	#4
theredview Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 6	I have 60lbs of live rock and I added some biological enhancer to the tank to give it a kick start. Im not at home so I can't tell you the brand name. Also I have had no spikes at all. Maybe I didn't put enough of the biological enhancer. The biological enhancer said its supposed to add beneficial bacteria to the filtration system to help start a new tank.