New to saltwater. Need opinions and experience

Bbarton908 · 01/06/2013, 02:39 PM

I had a 15 gallon that I was cycling and the ammonia was about as high as it was going to get so I'm guessing it was halfway through the cycle and I moved that water into a new 30 gallon and added new water so it basically darted the cycle over. There is live sand in the tank and some live rock. I'd there a way to speed up this process or is it just a time thing? It's just running now with a filter with normal carbon and its about 72 degrees. There are some hermit crabs in it and I'm just wondering if it would help to add some fish or some more live rock. Thank you.

Painted skin · 01/06/2013, 02:59 PM

First off you need to read again how the cycling process works I don't think you fully understand or grasp the cycling steps., just because your ammonia peeked does not mean it's half way there; once cycle is complete it should be zero across the board except nitrate. You shouldn't of change your water when you were building up ammonia. By the sound of it your tank is not cycled why do you want to punish the fish and put one in?? Throw a piece of raw shrimp in to build ammonia.

IMO 72 is a bit on the cold side.

bnumair · 01/06/2013, 03:03 PM

let it run its course. soon bacteria will grow to such numbers that cycle will complete and end and then ur tank will be ready for fish.

BAGGERZ13 · 01/06/2013, 03:36 PM

When your ammonia levels spike don't be surprised if your hermits die....inverts don't do well with high ammonia levels and 72 is a bit cold, I keep my tank between 78-80

Sk8r · 01/06/2013, 05:04 PM

There are very few marine fish you can put in a 15 gallon and most of those are quite, quite delicate. Start with snails and microhermits and a few tough corals and get the tank stable for a few months before you add any fish.

01/06/2013, 02:39 PM	#1
Bbarton908 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 89	New to saltwater. Need opinions and experience I had a 15 gallon that I was cycling and the ammonia was about as high as it was going to get so I'm guessing it was halfway through the cycle and I moved that water into a new 30 gallon and added new water so it basically darted the cycle over. There is live sand in the tank and some live rock. I'd there a way to speed up this process or is it just a time thing? It's just running now with a filter with normal carbon and its about 72 degrees. There are some hermit crabs in it and I'm just wondering if it would help to add some fish or some more live rock. Thank you.

01/06/2013, 02:59 PM	#2
Painted skin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 679	First off you need to read again how the cycling process works I don't think you fully understand or grasp the cycling steps., just because your ammonia peeked does not mean it's half way there; once cycle is complete it should be zero across the board except nitrate. You shouldn't of change your water when you were building up ammonia. By the sound of it your tank is not cycled why do you want to punish the fish and put one in?? Throw a piece of raw shrimp in to build ammonia. IMO 72 is a bit on the cold side. Last edited by Painted skin; 01/06/2013 at 03:26 PM. Reason: grammar

01/06/2013, 03:03 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	let it run its course. soon bacteria will grow to such numbers that cycle will complete and end and then ur tank will be ready for fish. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/06/2013, 03:36 PM	#4
BAGGERZ13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harford County MD Posts: 331	When your ammonia levels spike don't be surprised if your hermits die....inverts don't do well with high ammonia levels and 72 is a bit cold, I keep my tank between 78-80 __________________ Tank Setup: RSM 130D Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 130D

01/06/2013, 05:04 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	There are very few marine fish you can put in a 15 gallon and most of those are quite, quite delicate. Start with snails and microhermits and a few tough corals and get the tank stable for a few months before you add any fish. __________________ 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%.