Thoughts? :))

[Jamesrb90]

Hello all.
So I converted my fw tank to sw this week and would just like to get some input on what I have done.
So here's what I have
110l juwel rekord 800

With established live rock from a established tank.

100 litres of established ro water

2 wave makers

Fluval sea internal protein skimmer

I kept the old power head (using as a wavemaker) and the corse sponge with some white floss in the original internal filter.

LT led lights (very pleased with them)

How long should I cycle the tank for guys and gals.
My readings are
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15-20
Ph 8.2

Where should I go from here? And help and thoughts would be great.

P.s. do you think those wavemakers are positioned right?

Happy holidays
uploadfromtaptalk1450478401965.jpg

[PAXpress]

Think it's normally suggested to point the power heads at each other to increase turbulence and randomize flow a bit. Think laminar flow isn't very preferred(constant flow in a single direction). Also I think sponges are sometimes referred to as nitrate factories if you don't clean them out often enough. Good luck happy holidays!

[Jamesrb90]

Thanks I'll give them a turn tomorow.

Regarding my readings guys

How long should I go before adding fish?

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with pointing the flow as suggested at each other. I would wait about two weeks and do testing every three days to make sure you don't get any ammonia spikes.

[gone fishin]

How much rock?

[Sounds Fishy]

Your nitrate is at 20, but you just set it up this week.That is a real fast cycle ,and a bit of a high reading after 7 days....or an incorrect reading,IMO.Retest your nitrate. What did you use to start your cycle with?

[gone fishin]

I will try again LOL the cat turned my laptop off.

The rock looks nice and holey but some of it looks pretty white and fresh. When you say established, do you mean it came from a fully cycled tank?

When the rock was transported was it kept wet?

Did you see any ammonia at all?

[Jamesrb90]

Heya thanks for your replies
Could the high nitrate be because I got some cycled tank water with the rock?
I can always do a water change to reduce?
And I have abput 16kg of live rock in the tank. And the rock was kept wet but not soaked in transit.
Also I was told I didn't need to add ammonia?
Really grateful for your input guys

[Jamesrb90]

Should I add a little ammonia to see if it get munched up? Like a few drops

[Sounds Fishy]

QUOTE=Jamesrb90;24195615]Heya thanks for your replies
Could the high nitrate be because I got some cycled tank water with the rock?
I can always do a water change to reduce?
And I have abput 16kg of live rock in the tank. And the rock was kept wet but not soaked in transit.
Also I was told I didn't need to add ammonia?
Really grateful for your input guys[/QUOTE]

I think your right about the nitrate.I would test everything today again in order to to ascertain /and confirm your readings,prior.Generally you do not do water changes until your aquarium has cycled.If you have added a large amount of water from another healthy marine aquarium,and LR,your cycle till will be greatly reduced.Essentially ,your cloning an aquarium from a donor aquarium.However,as someone has already stated,recheck your Ammonia and Nitrites as well.Also let things get established such as your skimmer and any substrate.Basically I am saying go slow stocking your new aquarium until you see how it handles the bio load.
Also if your new test results confirm that your set up has cycled,then I agree that a water change is in order to help bring down your nitrate level.

[Mrramsey]

With a nitrate that high I would be inclined to do a complete water change. Small wc's will take a very long time to reduce that to an acceptable level. Recycled tank water really doesn't help since it does not really carry much in the way beneficial bacteria. That resides in the live rock.

IMO you will spend far more time trying to correct what you have thatn to just change the water and let it cycle. Ther should be enough dye off on the LR to initiate a mini cycle if it was truly cured LR. If after running the tank for a couple of days after the wc you have no ammonia then add a couple ml to the tank, test after a couple hours to get your reading. Then test 24 hour later if it is 0 then the tank is likely cycled. Always go slow... bad things happen in a hurry.

[Mrramsey]

Originally Posted by Sounds Fishy

QUOTE=Jamesrb90;24195615]Heya thanks for your replies
Could the high nitrate be because I got some cycled tank water with the rock?
I can always do a water change to reduce?
And I have abput 16kg of live rock in the tank. And the rock was kept wet but not soaked in transit.
Also I was told I didn't need to add ammonia?
Really grateful for your input guys

I think your right about the nitrate.I would test everything today again in order to to ascertain /and confirm your readings,prior.Generally you do not do water changes until your aquarium has cycled.If you have added a large amount of water from another healthy marine aquarium,and LR,your cycle till will be greatly reduced.Essentially ,your cloning an aquarium from a donor aquarium.However,as someone has already stated,recheck your Ammonia and Nitrites as well.Also let things get established such as your skimmer and any substrate.Basically I am saying go slow stocking your new aquarium until you see how it handles the bio load.
Also if your new test results confirm that your set up has cycled,then I agree that a water change is in order to help bring down your nitrate level.[/QUOTE]

He said he's using used tank water... there is no benefit to using used tank water. the only thing you get is dirty water.

[gone fishin]

Originally Posted by Jamesrb90

Heya thanks for your replies
Could the high nitrate be because I got some cycled tank water with the rock?
I can always do a water change to reduce?
And I have abput 16kg of live rock in the tank. And the rock was kept wet but not soaked in transit.
Also I was told I didn't need to add ammonia?
Really grateful for your input guys

It sounds like you did a decent job on the tank move.

If you added some water that had some high nitrates to begin with then it certainly can increase your tank nitrates.

Personally I would keep an eye on the parameters for a few days. if all is well then I would do a WC and add in some Clean up crew (CUC) and go from there. Good luck just my 2 cents.

[Sounds Fishy]

Originally Posted by Mrramsey

I think your right about the nitrate.I would test everything today again in order to to ascertain /and confirm your readings,prior.Generally you do not do water changes until your aquarium has cycled.If you have added a large amount of water from another healthy marine aquarium,and LR,your cycle till will be greatly reduced.Essentially ,your cloning an aquarium from a donor aquarium.However,as someone has already stated,recheck your Ammonia and Nitrites as well.Also let things get established such as your skimmer and any substrate.Basically I am saying go slow stocking your new aquarium until you see how it handles the bio load

He said he's using used tank water... there is no benefit to using used tank water. the only thing you get is dirty water.

Used tank water was the source.He did not say if the used water was siphoned from a good aquarium with clean healthy water or discarded water from a water change.I most certainly agree with you that dirty water is inappropriate to use for anything on any occasion.He did not ever say his water was discarded dirty water.I interpreted his message a little differently than you...that is all.
It is only an assumption that the nitrates came from the aquarium and water which was used for the purpose of creating his new build. I had assumed that the water may have been good water,but developed some nitrate along the process of being put into a new set up..
For example... I want to think that if I siphon water out of my aquarium to set up a 30 gallon quarantine aquarium,that it is going to be clean water.If I tested it and all the parameters are normal then it is clean but used water.

[Mrramsey]

Originally Posted by Sounds Fishy

Used tank water was the source.He did not say if the used water was siphoned from a good aquarium with clean healthy water or discarded water from a water change.I most certainly agree with you that dirty water is inappropriate to use for anything on any occasion.He did not ever say his water was discarded dirty water.I interpreted his message a little differently than you...that is all.
It is only an assumption that the nitrates came from the aquarium and water which was used for the purpose of creating his new build. I had assumed that the water may have been good water,but developed some nitrate along the process of being put into a new set up..
For example... I want to think that if I siphon water out of my aquarium to set up a 30 gallon quarantine aquarium,that it is going to be clean water.If I tested it and all the parameters are normal then it is clean but used water.

Yep I am making the assumption that this was not his tank water. Your example of a Q-T tank from your own system is valid for sure however except that I think very few people could say that they could afford to drain enough out of their system for that purpose without having to have new water to replace the borrowed water to begin with.

I am merely pointing out that starting a new setup it is easier for the novice to start with a "clean" slate so to speak. There is enough of a learning curve in this hobby to begin with let alone being new and trying to learn when the system is out of whack.

[Jamesrb90]

Hello all hope all is well.
So iv done a test just now and these are my results.

I'd say the nitrate is in between 10 and 20.
The water I got was from a crystal clear masssssive setup. From the tank with all the live rock. If that helps duno

P's your cat sounds just like mine!!

I may get some clean up crew tomorow if you guys think it'll be okay. Any recommendations on what and how many.
Cor I do hope this tank goes well

[Jamesrb90]

If you think it'll be better to do a large water change I shall guys

[Jamesrb90]

My original post didn't go through.
So my results are 0 0 15 I'd say
The water was from a massive tank and coming from the tank with all the live rock he has. Tons
I'd like a clean up crew just not sure what or how many.
Thanks again

[Jamesrb90]

If tomorow morning my readings are the same
0
0
15-20
Should I do a water change and whilst getting my ro get a clean up crew?
Ino us newbies can be really annoying just bare with me please hahah.

[Dkuhlmann]

Wait a week or so. Don't be in a hurry or bad things happen in this hobby

[Jamesrb90]

Yes your right haha I'll post my results in a week and go from there?

[Mrramsey]

Originally Posted by Jamesrb90

Yes your right haha I'll post my results in a week and go from there?

Also what kind of test kit are you using? Just for reference my nitrates a less than 2.

Liquid test kits vary in quality but also be sure to follow the nitrate test exactly as it is directed otherwise you will get inaccurate readings.

[m1k3]

Originally Posted by Mrramsey

Also what kind of test kit are you using? Just for reference my nitrates a less than 2.

Liquid test kits vary in quality but also be sure to follow the nitrate test exactly as it is directed otherwise you will get inaccurate readings.

Looks like API tubes. Generally not the most accurate. Look for red sea or salifert kits.

On another note, since you got rock from an established tank, what is your confidence level that that tank was ick free. Do you know what their QT process was? You could have inadvertently brought cysts into your new system on the used rock. Just something to consider.