Did I already blow it?

Danny617 · 04/28/2009, 03:38 PM

Hello All! My name is Danny and I am a newbie at reef keeping. I've had many freshwater tanks in my day but this is my first shot at a reef.

I have a SINKING feeling that I've made my first mistake (Gulp). I Have a 48, maybe 49 gallon oceanic reef ready tank that I picked up a long time ago and it sat around at my dads house collecting dust until I recently decided to resurrect it. It came with a trickle filter with bio balls (should I take these out?) and an eheim canister filter. I cleaned it all out, conencted hoses and filters, filled it up and added salt.

Filled it up!!! He says!!

Yes...... I used tap water

. Upon further research, thanks to all the posts about everything by the way, I've learned a ton already, I have discovered that using tap water could cause serious issues for me with algae growth etc. Now be honest, do I need to start over? Should I empty the tank, get myself a RO/DI filter and refill with new salt and all? It would be a hassle to do so but I'm still at the point where I can do this because I don't have any life in the tank yet. I did however add a bottle of biospira about a week ago which the guy at the LFS said would help get the tank cycling. I would hate to get started off on the wrong foot right out of the gate.

If you're wondering, I'll be using a coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Double Linear Strip for my lighting.
As for a skimmer, I haven't yet installed one but I'm considering the marinelane 100 as it is in my budget and has good feedback so far. (I fully realize that I need a skimmer before I go any further.)

I know I have much to learn so I appreciate any feedback you guys might have.

Danny

jim.l · 04/28/2009, 03:46 PM

A new tank will grow some algae no matter what you do. You'll just grow a little extra. I wouldn't waste the salt. Just let it run for a while. If you have chlorine / chlorimines in your local water supply, run charcoal before adding any live rock or live sand or any bacteria culture. Get a RO/DI system and use that for your water changes after your tank cycles.

davewbush · 04/28/2009, 03:53 PM

I would take out the bio balls and any pads in the canister filter. Do you have any live rock yet? If not I would cure the rock when you get it in the tank and do a few 50% water change in the first week you are curing it with ro/di water. After curing the rock for about 2 weeks ad some GFO and this should take out any phosphate. With the tap water in their, i would leave the light off.

thegrun · 04/28/2009, 04:18 PM

As much as you hate to waste the water, in the long run you would be better to start over. If you have to do a couple of 50% water changes, you have already done a complete water change without the benefit of removing all the phosphate/nitrate and who knows what else that is in your tap water. Do remove the bio-balls and do get 50 lbs minimum of live rock in there if you haven't already done so. I would save the money and not use biospira, but it might save you a week or two in the cycle. The live rock will provide all the nutrients your tank needs to cycle. If you look down the Forums list, near the bottom you will see the Reef Clubs Forum, go there, find your local area Forum ask if anyone local will give you a cup or two of their live sand to seed your sand with (assuming you have a sand bed). This will be a much better way to jump start your tank than using biospira. Good luck and WELCOME!

PRDubois · 04/28/2009, 04:32 PM

Welcome, you will be fine but ditch the bioballs.
Look at Octopus Skimmers.

Aquarist007 · 04/28/2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
Welcome, you will be fine but ditch the bioballs.
Look at Octopus Skimmers.

I agree---using tap water won't hurt anything initially--just start to use ro/di water with your daily top ups due to evaporation.

Since you are just starting the tank---ditch the bioballs before the system relies on them

You didn't mention live rock ====that's a critical component to the success of your tank

Danny617 · 04/28/2009, 05:58 PM

Ok I'll take out the bio balls tonight. Sounds like I'll be ok if I start using RO/DI water going forward. If I decided to use GFO, how do you add this to your tank? Just pour it in the water?? I'm such a newb

As for live rock / sand bed, I dont have anything in the tank yet. Just saltwater at this point. I'm leaning towards purchasing the package that Tampa Bay Saltwater offers. Any thoughts on that?
I've included a couple of rough pictures below. My new light should arrive tomorrow. Hooray!
Do you think a protein skimmer will fit in that sump? The trickle area takes up a lot of space but I'm hoping to stick it in the front right corner. Thanks again everyone. This site is great.

Aquarist007 · 04/28/2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Danny617
Ok I'll take out the bio balls tonight. Sounds like I'll be ok if I start using RO/DI water going forward. If I decided to use GFO, how do you add this to your tank? Just pour it in the water?? I'm such a newb

As for live rock / sand bed, I dont have anything in the tank yet. Just saltwater at this point. I'm leaning towards purchasing the package that Tampa Bay Saltwater offers. Any thoughts on that?
I've included a couple of rough pictures below. My new light should arrive tomorrow. Hooray!
Do you think a protein skimmer will fit in that sump? The trickle area takes up a lot of space but I'm hoping to stick it in the front right corner. Thanks again everyone. This site is great.

do you have a link to the tampa bay stuff--not familar

I need to emphasize that buying live rock should be your first priority before you buy anything else like a skimmer.
The live rock is what cycles your tank---and once you get it in there the cycling which could take between 3 and 5 week begins

During that time you will be able to read up on skimmers lighting ect ect.

Btw--but a medium grade argonite if you are going with a substrate---no need for live sand==the rock will seed it or a cup of sand from another tank will do the trick.

BTW

To Reef Central

davewbush · 04/28/2009, 06:31 PM

You don't want to dump GFO into the tank. They have reators for them or you could put it in a media bag and put it in the canister filter. I have mine in a canister filter and change it every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how much phosphate is in the tank.

One thing to remember is that there is a lot of things out there when it comes to chemicals and additives, but you only realy need a good salt mix, calcium, magnesium, and alk. If you get every thing you think you need or are told to buy you will have 90 bottles of junk under your tank that you wont use down the road.

Danny617 · 04/28/2009, 06:35 PM

Here's the link to the place i'm considering:
http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/

Interesting stuff on that site. Thoughts on the "package" that they offer?

tipmoff · 04/28/2009, 06:46 PM

+1 with the water being ok. I did the same thing months ago when I started my tank and after time and cycle and with water changes it all goes away. The Tampa Bay Live Rock (whxih is down the street from my house is good LR. Just be careful about the hitch hikers of which there will some bad ones but they will be teaming with life.

Salt Convert · 04/28/2009, 07:59 PM

Just a word of caution when you do charcoal- rinse it first! If you put charcoal in net bag and put it straight in your tank, you'll get fine black particles all over everything! Learned the hard way that it'll eventually cycle out but a pain and an eyesore until then. :*(

SaltyDr · 04/28/2009, 09:17 PM

There is a forum here on Tampa Bay Saltwater. They are a sponsor. Look there and ask your questions about it there. Just reading the threads will answer most if not all of your questions.

WallyV · 04/28/2009, 09:31 PM

From one newbie to another I think you should check out www.bulkreefsupply.com I just bought alot of my equipment from them. They have great prices, customer service and information about the correct usage, installation...etc on the site.

-Walter
I hope this helps.

canesfins · 04/29/2009, 06:26 PM

Why do you guys recommend removing the bioballs? I have a 150 Oceanic with a wet dry with bio balls. Live rock and sand in the tank.

davewbush · 04/29/2009, 06:34 PM

After a while the bio-balls will become a nitrate factory. In a reef tank, it is better to take them out.

Alaskan Reefer · 04/30/2009, 12:53 AM

How is the water testing? Roll with the tap on initial mix you should be just fine. No need to waste the salt unless the water tests very poorly.

demonboy369 · 04/30/2009, 01:35 AM

ok from experience i will say you will be fine. i personally ran a 55g with alot of life in it a few years back on nothing but instant ocean and tap water (sometimes even well water) I also start my 10g soon to be 20 on tap water. It will be changed over to ro/di water. The thing about tap is the TDS (total dissolved solids) in the water. which can be anything from phosphates to copper to deadly fertilizers. All of which can be eventually removed from the water with water changes of ro/di. Your water quality depends on your area.

It is best to use ro/di but i wouldnt start from scratch again.

My 2 gallon is so small i would never put tap into it. But it also runs on tropic marin pro reef salt (never need additives in my tank) but in my others I do what i must.

04/28/2009, 03:38 PM	#1
Danny617 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: United States Posts: 3	Did I already blow it? Hello All! My name is Danny and I am a newbie at reef keeping. I've had many freshwater tanks in my day but this is my first shot at a reef. I have a SINKING feeling that I've made my first mistake (Gulp). I Have a 48, maybe 49 gallon oceanic reef ready tank that I picked up a long time ago and it sat around at my dads house collecting dust until I recently decided to resurrect it. It came with a trickle filter with bio balls (should I take these out?) and an eheim canister filter. I cleaned it all out, conencted hoses and filters, filled it up and added salt. Filled it up!!! He says!! Yes...... I used tap water . Upon further research, thanks to all the posts about everything by the way, I've learned a ton already, I have discovered that using tap water could cause serious issues for me with algae growth etc. Now be honest, do I need to start over? Should I empty the tank, get myself a RO/DI filter and refill with new salt and all? It would be a hassle to do so but I'm still at the point where I can do this because I don't have any life in the tank yet. I did however add a bottle of biospira about a week ago which the guy at the LFS said would help get the tank cycling. I would hate to get started off on the wrong foot right out of the gate. If you're wondering, I'll be using a coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Double Linear Strip for my lighting. As for a skimmer, I haven't yet installed one but I'm considering the marinelane 100 as it is in my budget and has good feedback so far. (I fully realize that I need a skimmer before I go any further.) I know I have much to learn so I appreciate any feedback you guys might have. Danny

04/28/2009, 03:46 PM	#2
jim.l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SE. Florida Posts: 608	A new tank will grow some algae no matter what you do. You'll just grow a little extra. I wouldn't waste the salt. Just let it run for a while. If you have chlorine / chlorimines in your local water supply, run charcoal before adding any live rock or live sand or any bacteria culture. Get a RO/DI system and use that for your water changes after your tank cycles. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 150 reef, soft, hard, SPS

04/28/2009, 04:32 PM	#5
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Welcome, you will be fine but ditch the bioballs. Look at Octopus Skimmers. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

04/28/2009, 06:46 PM	#11
tipmoff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 430	+1 with the water being ok. I did the same thing months ago when I started my tank and after time and cycle and with water changes it all goes away. The Tampa Bay Live Rock (whxih is down the street from my house is good LR. Just be careful about the hitch hikers of which there will some bad ones but they will be teaming with life. __________________ "When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick. ." Member T.B.R.C. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Mixed Reef

04/29/2009, 06:26 PM	#15
canesfins Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nassau, Bahamas Posts: 13	Why do you guys recommend removing the bioballs? I have a 150 Oceanic with a wet dry with bio balls. Live rock and sand in the tank. __________________ Oceanic 150 Gallon Reef

04/28/2009, 03:53 PM	#3
davewbush ... Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 739	I would take out the bio balls and any pads in the canister filter. Do you have any live rock yet? If not I would cure the rock when you get it in the tank and do a few 50% water change in the first week you are curing it with ro/di water. After curing the rock for about 2 weeks ad some GFO and this should take out any phosphate. With the tap water in their, i would leave the light off.

04/28/2009, 04:18 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	As much as you hate to waste the water, in the long run you would be better to start over. If you have to do a couple of 50% water changes, you have already done a complete water change without the benefit of removing all the phosphate/nitrate and who knows what else that is in your tap water. Do remove the bio-balls and do get 50 lbs minimum of live rock in there if you haven't already done so. I would save the money and not use biospira, but it might save you a week or two in the cycle. The live rock will provide all the nutrients your tank needs to cycle. If you look down the Forums list, near the bottom you will see the Reef Clubs Forum, go there, find your local area Forum ask if anyone local will give you a cup or two of their live sand to seed your sand with (assuming you have a sand bed). This will be a much better way to jump start your tank than using biospira. Good luck and WELCOME!

04/28/2009, 05:58 PM	#7
Danny617 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: United States Posts: 3	Ok I'll take out the bio balls tonight. Sounds like I'll be ok if I start using RO/DI water going forward. If I decided to use GFO, how do you add this to your tank? Just pour it in the water?? I'm such a newb As for live rock / sand bed, I dont have anything in the tank yet. Just saltwater at this point. I'm leaning towards purchasing the package that Tampa Bay Saltwater offers. Any thoughts on that? I've included a couple of rough pictures below. My new light should arrive tomorrow. Hooray! Do you think a protein skimmer will fit in that sump? The trickle area takes up a lot of space but I'm hoping to stick it in the front right corner. Thanks again everyone. This site is great.

04/28/2009, 06:31 PM	#9
davewbush ... Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 739	You don't want to dump GFO into the tank. They have reators for them or you could put it in a media bag and put it in the canister filter. I have mine in a canister filter and change it every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how much phosphate is in the tank. One thing to remember is that there is a lot of things out there when it comes to chemicals and additives, but you only realy need a good salt mix, calcium, magnesium, and alk. If you get every thing you think you need or are told to buy you will have 90 bottles of junk under your tank that you wont use down the road.

04/28/2009, 06:35 PM	#10
Danny617 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: United States Posts: 3	Here's the link to the place i'm considering: http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/ Interesting stuff on that site. Thoughts on the "package" that they offer?

04/28/2009, 07:59 PM	#12
Salt Convert Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 38	Just a word of caution when you do charcoal- rinse it first! If you put charcoal in net bag and put it straight in your tank, you'll get fine black particles all over everything! Learned the hard way that it'll eventually cycle out but a pain and an eyesore until then. :*(

04/28/2009, 09:17 PM	#13
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	There is a forum here on Tampa Bay Saltwater. They are a sponsor. Look there and ask your questions about it there. Just reading the threads will answer most if not all of your questions.

04/28/2009, 09:31 PM	#14
WallyV uhhh how much??? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Loveland, Colorado Posts: 130	From one newbie to another I think you should check out www.bulkreefsupply.com I just bought alot of my equipment from them. They have great prices, customer service and information about the correct usage, installation...etc on the site. -Walter I hope this helps.

04/29/2009, 06:34 PM	#16
davewbush ... Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 739	After a while the bio-balls will become a nitrate factory. In a reef tank, it is better to take them out.

04/30/2009, 12:53 AM	#17
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	How is the water testing? Roll with the tap on initial mix you should be just fine. No need to waste the salt unless the water tests very poorly. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/30/2009, 01:35 AM	#18
demonboy369 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: west virginia Posts: 360	ok from experience i will say you will be fine. i personally ran a 55g with alot of life in it a few years back on nothing but instant ocean and tap water (sometimes even well water) I also start my 10g soon to be 20 on tap water. It will be changed over to ro/di water. The thing about tap is the TDS (total dissolved solids) in the water. which can be anything from phosphates to copper to deadly fertilizers. All of which can be eventually removed from the water with water changes of ro/di. Your water quality depends on your area. It is best to use ro/di but i wouldnt start from scratch again. My 2 gallon is so small i would never put tap into it. But it also runs on tropic marin pro reef salt (never need additives in my tank) but in my others I do what i must. __________________ L0S3R CVRC ------------------------------------------------ To check out my thread on Gorgonia Fragging click my red house Current Tank Info: 2g pico reef with 13w pc lighting stocked with zoos and a small hammer... 29g in progress (diy aquaclear 500 fuge)