New to the saltwater world have live rock questions

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 08:36 PM

I started my tank up last Saturday its been running no stopi have 5 pounds of live rock so far and I have some pink looking stuff growing on it. Is this okay or bad ? I've added a image in an attachment form if that helps

Chriskk · 12/26/2012, 08:41 PM

Its hard to tell from this picture but it looks to be Coraline algae, which is normal and a good sign.

Wade1 · 12/26/2012, 08:55 PM

Could be sponge

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 09:00 PM

Is sponge bad ?it looks fuzzy in the one spot and round but the one in the picture is long and pink I'm guessing its coralline algea

BAGGERZ13 · 12/26/2012, 09:02 PM

Sponges are nothing to worry about, your fine.

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 09:04 PM

O I just put a red mushroom in tonight first piece of anything in the tank. Here's to hoping. Waiting on my new l e d light to come in cant wait

BAGGERZ13 · 12/26/2012, 09:08 PM

How long has your tank been set up? What size tank? How much rock? Is it all live rock? What are you testing for? What are your parameters? SG? PH? Ammonia? Nitrite, nitrate?

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 09:18 PM

Tanks been up and running five days its got 5 pounds of live rock with an inch of Hawaiian black live sand my ph is 7.8 and I haven't tested the rest what's sg ? And para meters ?

BAGGERZ13 · 12/26/2012, 09:21 PM

You need to check your salinity. You need to do a whole bunch of reading before you just buy livestock for the tank. 5 days is not long enough for your tank to really cycle. You need to be testing for pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate....SG is specific gravity and also your salinity. You need a hydrometer and a refractometer to measure it. I left quite a few things out ill let other chime in.

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 10:11 PM

I used 10 gallons of my salt water and I used ten gallons out of my neighbors 125 gallon saltwater tank he tested my water with the refractometer and said I was fine. I also put A piece of squids nd galic food or something my neighbor gave me to break down in my tank to help it cycle. Multiple fish stores told me if my tank was running for 24 hrs ey woulda put damsels in I on the other hand decided to wait 5 days beside the live rock.

gone fishin · 12/26/2012, 10:18 PM

I would highly suggest reading the stickies at the top of the forum before adding anything else to the tank. You seem to missing some vital information.

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 10:24 PM

Where do I find stickies ? I don't see them

gone fishin · 12/26/2012, 10:32 PM

They are at the top of the forum page titled "sticky"

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 11:14 PM

Thanks and I just tested everything the ph is 8.0 and nitrate and nitrite are both zero ppms and my ammonia is the only high one at 4.0 don't have a cow people ill wait till that drops to add any thing else.

iamwrasseman · 12/26/2012, 11:28 PM

ugg 4.0 ppm ammonia is way to high ! slow ,slow,slow is the way to go . you are setting up yourself for disaster IMO. 5lbs of rock is enough only for a 10 gallon tank max and that by someone with experience , what size is your tank ? how many gallons ?

Keitho109 · 12/26/2012, 11:31 PM

I said it was high dude chill your grill lol my tanks a 20 gallon long tank with a built in refug in the tank I have 5 pounds of live rock in it and about a inch of black Hawaiian sand

gone fishin · 12/26/2012, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keitho109

Thanks and I just tested everything the ph is 8.0 and nitrate and nitrite are both zero ppms and my ammonia is the only high one at 4.0 don't have a cow people ill wait till that drops to add any thing else.

No cows here good luck with that.

DMBFan · 12/27/2012, 12:06 AM

I guess everyone learns their own way... but seriously, you don't have anything filtering right now. 0 nitrate and 0 nitrate, with a 4.0 ammonia means you just began you cycle.

a 1:4 ratio of live rock:water gallons is low, by 15 lbs. A 1:1 ratio is usual... the more the better really.

Nobody is having a cow, nor are we excited. They are offering free advise from experience.

IMHO, (from experience of moving far too fast) have fun with your soon-to-be algae tank if you don't slow down.

BAGGERZ13 · 12/27/2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBFan

I guess everyone learns their own way... but seriously, you don't have anything filtering right now. 0 nitrate and 0 nitrate, with a 4.0 ammonia means you just began you cycle.

a 1:4 ratio of live rock:water gallons is low, by 15 lbs. A 1:1 ratio is usual... the more the better really.

Nobody is having a cow, nor are we excited. They are offering free advise from experience.

IMHO, (from experience of moving far too fast) have fun with your soon-to-be algae tank if you don't slow down.

He will just have to learn the hard way and waste money.

sponger0 · 12/27/2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAGGERZ13

He will just have to learn the hard way and waste money.

Pretty much lol. All this is information someone should have before even starting a tank.

Keitho109 · 12/27/2012, 07:32 AM

So your saying I should have one pound of live rock for every 4 gallons and I need to get 15 more pounds on top of the five I already have p.s. I guess I was taking all your advice as your yelling and flipping out I'm brand new to this sorry for taking ur advice the wrong way btw the mushroom disappeared this morning guess it died. So ill get more live rock and wait till the ammonia is gone before doing anything else how long do you think I should wait ?

sponger0 · 12/27/2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keitho109

So your saying I should have one pound of live rock for every 4 gallons and I need to get 15 more pounds on top of the five I already have p.s. I guess I was taking all your advice as your yelling and flipping out I'm brand new to this sorry for taking ur advice the wrong way btw the mushroom disappeared this morning guess it died. So ill get more live rock and wait till the ammonia is gone before doing anything else how long do you think I should wait ?

Yup yup and yup. No one is yelling. You are just headed down the wrong path if you keep doing what you are doing. People are trying to guide you.

First thing you need to learn. You will find alot of opinionated people. You need to spend sometime reading. Actually alot of time reading.

How long should you wait? When your test kits tell you the cycle is done. If you dont know what the cycle is, you need to research it. Dont know what test kits you need? Time to research it.

BAGGERZ13 · 12/27/2012, 09:31 AM

It's not that we're mad or yelling but we want to see everyone be successful because that's what it is all about. Having fun an being successful because there is no point to wasting money and having everything die and go wrong.

thebkramer · 12/27/2012, 09:43 AM

WELCOME TO RC & THE ADDICTION!

There are a lot of friendly, experienced and knowledgable (sp?) reefers here & want to help!!! We want to see the best for you & your tank!!!

do you have any other critters/corals in your tank?? if so.. please see if you can take them out and have friend keep them company until your cycle is over!!

this hobby can be extremely fun and pleasurable!! but you have to have lots of patience and do lots of research to get the best out of it!!!

Ask, ask, ask away if you feel you need to!! there is always someone willing to help!!! There are no stupid questions!!! I'm glad you found RC & your soon to be new addiction ontop of the tank lol!!

PLEASE!! Take some time during your cycle to read the stickies!! I will even give you links to some of my fav!! THey have LOTS of info!!!!

WaterKeepers New to RC
WaterKeepers New to RC2
WaterKeepers Newbies Info
Capns Log Book
Sk8rs-How to Start a Tank
Sk8rs Blog
RO/DI Unit

again!! Welcome to RC!!!

12/26/2012, 08:55 PM	#3
Wade1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 28	Could be sponge __________________ 92 gallon corner wanna be reef tank Aqua max am 350 protien skimmer 20 gal sump 110 lbs of live rock, crushed coral/ fine sand mix

12/26/2012, 09:02 PM	#5
BAGGERZ13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harford County MD Posts: 331	Sponges are nothing to worry about, your fine. __________________ Tank Setup: RSM 130D Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 130D

12/26/2012, 09:08 PM	#7
BAGGERZ13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harford County MD Posts: 331	How long has your tank been set up? What size tank? How much rock? Is it all live rock? What are you testing for? What are your parameters? SG? PH? Ammonia? Nitrite, nitrate? __________________ Tank Setup: RSM 130D Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 130D

12/26/2012, 09:21 PM	#9
BAGGERZ13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harford County MD Posts: 331	You need to check your salinity. You need to do a whole bunch of reading before you just buy livestock for the tank. 5 days is not long enough for your tank to really cycle. You need to be testing for pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate....SG is specific gravity and also your salinity. You need a hydrometer and a refractometer to measure it. I left quite a few things out ill let other chime in. __________________ Tank Setup: RSM 130D Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 130D

12/26/2012, 10:18 PM	#11
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I would highly suggest reading the stickies at the top of the forum before adding anything else to the tank. You seem to missing some vital information. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

12/26/2012, 08:41 PM	#2
Chriskk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sulphur, LA Posts: 106	Its hard to tell from this picture but it looks to be Coraline algae, which is normal and a good sign.

12/26/2012, 09:00 PM	#4
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	Is sponge bad ?it looks fuzzy in the one spot and round but the one in the picture is long and pink I'm guessing its coralline algea

12/26/2012, 09:04 PM	#6
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	O I just put a red mushroom in tonight first piece of anything in the tank. Here's to hoping. Waiting on my new l e d light to come in cant wait

12/26/2012, 09:18 PM	#8
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	Tanks been up and running five days its got 5 pounds of live rock with an inch of Hawaiian black live sand my ph is 7.8 and I haven't tested the rest what's sg ? And para meters ?

12/26/2012, 10:11 PM	#10
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	I used 10 gallons of my salt water and I used ten gallons out of my neighbors 125 gallon saltwater tank he tested my water with the refractometer and said I was fine. I also put A piece of squids nd galic food or something my neighbor gave me to break down in my tank to help it cycle. Multiple fish stores told me if my tank was running for 24 hrs ey woulda put damsels in I on the other hand decided to wait 5 days beside the live rock.

12/26/2012, 10:24 PM	#12
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	Where do I find stickies ? I don't see them

12/26/2012, 10:32 PM	#13
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	They are at the top of the forum page titled "sticky" __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

12/26/2012, 11:14 PM	#14
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	Thanks and I just tested everything the ph is 8.0 and nitrate and nitrite are both zero ppms and my ammonia is the only high one at 4.0 don't have a cow people ill wait till that drops to add any thing else.

12/26/2012, 11:28 PM	#15
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	ugg 4.0 ppm ammonia is way to high ! slow ,slow,slow is the way to go . you are setting up yourself for disaster IMO. 5lbs of rock is enough only for a 10 gallon tank max and that by someone with experience , what size is your tank ? how many gallons ? __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

12/26/2012, 11:31 PM	#16
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	I said it was high dude chill your grill lol my tanks a 20 gallon long tank with a built in refug in the tank I have 5 pounds of live rock in it and about a inch of black Hawaiian sand

12/27/2012, 12:06 AM	#18
DMBFan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: 92843 Posts: 133	I guess everyone learns their own way... but seriously, you don't have anything filtering right now. 0 nitrate and 0 nitrate, with a 4.0 ammonia means you just began you cycle. a 1:4 ratio of live rock:water gallons is low, by 15 lbs. A 1:1 ratio is usual... the more the better really. Nobody is having a cow, nor are we excited. They are offering free advise from experience. IMHO, (from experience of moving far too fast) have fun with your soon-to-be algae tank if you don't slow down. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish Current Tank Info: All Empty

12/27/2012, 07:32 AM	#21
Keitho109 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 78	So your saying I should have one pound of live rock for every 4 gallons and I need to get 15 more pounds on top of the five I already have p.s. I guess I was taking all your advice as your yelling and flipping out I'm brand new to this sorry for taking ur advice the wrong way btw the mushroom disappeared this morning guess it died. So ill get more live rock and wait till the ammonia is gone before doing anything else how long do you think I should wait ?

12/27/2012, 09:31 AM	#23
BAGGERZ13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harford County MD Posts: 331	It's not that we're mad or yelling but we want to see everyone be successful because that's what it is all about. Having fun an being successful because there is no point to wasting money and having everything die and go wrong. __________________ Tank Setup: RSM 130D Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 130D

12/27/2012, 09:43 AM	#24
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	WELCOME TO RC & THE ADDICTION! There are a lot of friendly, experienced and knowledgable (sp?) reefers here & want to help!!! We want to see the best for you & your tank!!! do you have any other critters/corals in your tank?? if so.. please see if you can take them out and have friend keep them company until your cycle is over!! this hobby can be extremely fun and pleasurable!! but you have to have lots of patience and do lots of research to get the best out of it!!! Ask, ask, ask away if you feel you need to!! there is always someone willing to help!!! There are no stupid questions!!! I'm glad you found RC & your soon to be new addiction ontop of the tank lol!! PLEASE!! Take some time during your cycle to read the stickies!! I will even give you links to some of my fav!! THey have LOTS of info!!!! WaterKeepers New to RC WaterKeepers New to RC2 WaterKeepers Newbies Info Capns Log Book Sk8rs-How to Start a Tank Sk8rs Blog RO/DI Unit again!! Welcome to RC!!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS