Hello everyone! This is my first salt water tank!

ReefShrink · 08/04/2011, 12:58 PM

So I just bought a used 75 gallon system. It came with the stand, fluroscent lighting, about 50-60 pounds of live rock for the tank and another ~20 lbs for the trickle filter with a syphon based overflow system, live sand, protein skimmer, return pump, heater, and a canister filter with UV sterilization. There were three non-reef safe fish which I was able to trade in to a LFS for store credit.

My changes so far: I went with a DSB so added another two bags of live sand, upgraded to a new Marineland 24 hour lighting system, which has metal halide, HO fluroscent, and LED moonlights, and in the process of converting my trickle filter into a sump (I have submersed the live rock in the sump completely, and moved the skimmer and heater to the sump. I plan to eventually discontinue the canister filter and go with only the sump, DSB, live rock, and skimmer as my filtration system.

But now I am confused...

I keep hearing conflicting advise on wether I can start placing live stock or not. This system was up and running. I was able to transport about 20-25 gallons of water, the live rock and the live sand. The unit has been up and running for about 5 days now and I checked my ammonia level = 0, nitrite = 0, and nitrate 5 ppm. the LFS said I should wait another 1-3 months for the system to cycle and establish before putting ANY livestock. Others say I can go ahead and introduce livestock slowly now. I would appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance! Look forward to getting to know you all and learning a great deal as I begin this awesome endeavour!

sporto0 · 08/04/2011, 01:09 PM

1-3 months? I think he meant weeks, you may experience a mini cycle after the move, try introducing ammonia by putting a cocktail shrimp in & test again in about 4-5 days after it begins to decompose.After that if ammonia & nitrites are 0, you are good to add livestock. Welcome & enjoy!

thegrun · 08/04/2011, 01:28 PM

+1, wait at least two more weeks. Moving a sand be often kicks up enough detritus to start a new cycle, as does adding "live sand" which often contains more dead organic material than live. I agree either add a dead raw shrimp or daily add a pinch of flake fish food and continue to monitor ammonia and nitrite levels. If after two weeks you still don't see ammonia or nitrites, you are ready to add a clean-up crew and slowly add fish.

vwwanksta69 · 08/04/2011, 01:47 PM

I would start off with a shrimp, fish food, cleaning crew and/or a chromis

plasmacon · 08/04/2011, 02:42 PM

It's been 5 days, everything has settled down, test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate weekly for 3 weeks, or a couple of times a week for 3 weeks. You probably won't see much. After that, any new livestock you have should be ready to come out of QT to their new, larger home. Go slow, don't add more than a couple of fish at first. Some clean up crew would be nice. Just go slow and learn this particular tank. It might have issues arise that you have to deal with... Enjoy!

ReefShrink · 08/04/2011, 03:18 PM

Thanks! I will add the shrimp today! If everything stays stable over the next 2 weeks then I am going to start with a cleaning crew and maybe begin with 3-4 of these guys.

Oh, my pH was 7.8. Is this an indicator that things are not yet quite done cycling or should I use an additive to raise the alkalinity?

sporto0 · 08/04/2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefShrink

Thanks! I will add the shrimp today! If everything stays stable over the next 2 weeks then I am going to start with a cleaning crew and maybe begin with 3-4 of these guys.

Oh, my pH was 7.8. Is this an indicator that things are not yet quite done cycling or should I use an additive to raise the alkalinity?

I would monitor my Alk, but don't try & micromanage ph, it will fluctuate a bit everyday anyways, get it back to 8.0 by doing water changes, 7.8 is not terrible either but again Alk is far more important for stability in a tank.

thegrun · 08/04/2011, 03:34 PM

I wouldn't worry about your parameters during the cycle. As your tank develops algae, your Ph should rise (at least during daylight hours). Water chemistry takes several months to fully stabilize, which is why it is recommended to wait 6 months before introducing sensitive corals or fish.

Michael · 08/05/2011, 12:06 AM

adding additives to raise the ph could be dangerous due to the fact you may end up with a really high alkalinity level, there are no corals in the tank and it is still cycling and 7.8 ph is fine IMO as well so don't add anything at this stage, you may want to add additives eventually, when your ready to do that ask here about what to use and quantities before you do, good luck, it sounds like everything is on track.

08/04/2011, 12:58 PM	#1
ReefShrink Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 81	Hello everyone! This is my first salt water tank! So I just bought a used 75 gallon system. It came with the stand, fluroscent lighting, about 50-60 pounds of live rock for the tank and another ~20 lbs for the trickle filter with a syphon based overflow system, live sand, protein skimmer, return pump, heater, and a canister filter with UV sterilization. There were three non-reef safe fish which I was able to trade in to a LFS for store credit. My changes so far: I went with a DSB so added another two bags of live sand, upgraded to a new Marineland 24 hour lighting system, which has metal halide, HO fluroscent, and LED moonlights, and in the process of converting my trickle filter into a sump (I have submersed the live rock in the sump completely, and moved the skimmer and heater to the sump. I plan to eventually discontinue the canister filter and go with only the sump, DSB, live rock, and skimmer as my filtration system. But now I am confused... I keep hearing conflicting advise on wether I can start placing live stock or not. This system was up and running. I was able to transport about 20-25 gallons of water, the live rock and the live sand. The unit has been up and running for about 5 days now and I checked my ammonia level = 0, nitrite = 0, and nitrate 5 ppm. the LFS said I should wait another 1-3 months for the system to cycle and establish before putting ANY livestock. Others say I can go ahead and introduce livestock slowly now. I would appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance! Look forward to getting to know you all and learning a great deal as I begin this awesome endeavour!

08/04/2011, 02:42 PM	#5
plasmacon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 110	It's been 5 days, everything has settled down, test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate weekly for 3 weeks, or a couple of times a week for 3 weeks. You probably won't see much. After that, any new livestock you have should be ready to come out of QT to their new, larger home. Go slow, don't add more than a couple of fish at first. Some clean up crew would be nice. Just go slow and learn this particular tank. It might have issues arise that you have to deal with... Enjoy! __________________ Thanks Patrick Current Tank Info: 135 gallon Reef

08/05/2011, 12:06 AM	#9
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	adding additives to raise the ph could be dangerous due to the fact you may end up with a really high alkalinity level, there are no corals in the tank and it is still cycling and 7.8 ph is fine IMO as well so don't add anything at this stage, you may want to add additives eventually, when your ready to do that ask here about what to use and quantities before you do, good luck, it sounds like everything is on track. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

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08/04/2011, 01:09 PM	#2
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	1-3 months? I think he meant weeks, you may experience a mini cycle after the move, try introducing ammonia by putting a cocktail shrimp in & test again in about 4-5 days after it begins to decompose.After that if ammonia & nitrites are 0, you are good to add livestock. Welcome & enjoy!

08/04/2011, 01:28 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1, wait at least two more weeks. Moving a sand be often kicks up enough detritus to start a new cycle, as does adding "live sand" which often contains more dead organic material than live. I agree either add a dead raw shrimp or daily add a pinch of flake fish food and continue to monitor ammonia and nitrite levels. If after two weeks you still don't see ammonia or nitrites, you are ready to add a clean-up crew and slowly add fish.

08/04/2011, 01:47 PM	#4
vwwanksta69 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Malvern Posts: 357	I would start off with a shrimp, fish food, cleaning crew and/or a chromis

08/04/2011, 03:18 PM	#6
ReefShrink Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 81	Thanks! I will add the shrimp today! If everything stays stable over the next 2 weeks then I am going to start with a cleaning crew and maybe begin with 3-4 of these guys. Oh, my pH was 7.8. Is this an indicator that things are not yet quite done cycling or should I use an additive to raise the alkalinity?

08/04/2011, 03:34 PM	#8
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I wouldn't worry about your parameters during the cycle. As your tank develops algae, your Ph should rise (at least during daylight hours). Water chemistry takes several months to fully stabilize, which is why it is recommended to wait 6 months before introducing sensitive corals or fish.