My new tank levels, what do you think?

shramj · 05/15/2007, 09:22 PM

I have had my 34 gallon RedSeaMax cycling since Thursday. I put a raw shrimp in on Friday and took it out on Sunday morning, it seemed to have jump started my tank quite well. I have to get my temp down so I will get a chiller. I was keeping the lid closed on the tank and today I started leaving it up, it seemed to have dropped the temp already by 1 degree, tomorrow I will put a frozen water bottle in to help lower it even more. I have diatoms on alot of the rock and it is also starting to grow on the sand. I was wondering when you think I could start putting in a cleaning crew. Can the cleaning crew start without a chiller or is my temp too high?

Monday Tests, Salt 1.022, Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 0.2, Nitrate 5.0, PH 8.0, temp 87, ALK 2.6

Tuesday Tests, Salt 1.021, Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 0.05, Nitrate 10, PH 8.4, temp 86, ALK 2.4

alan214 · 05/15/2007, 09:54 PM

I would recommend adding no cleaning crew until your ammonia is zero for at least a week.

bertoni · 05/15/2007, 10:00 PM

I agree, but I'd also double-check the ammonia result if it stays at that level for very long. There seem to be a fair number of problems with ammonia test kits reported here.

I'd try to get the temperature down to 82 F as the base.

shramj · 05/15/2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks guys! I have been testing my levels daily, you have all been a big help. Alan214, you have answered a few of my questions, thanks!

zma21 · 05/15/2007, 10:06 PM

Yea wow, just completely unplug your heater for a while.

arts007 · 05/15/2007, 10:59 PM

Yeah see if you can get your temp down and stable, maybe try a fan over the top of the water...What kind of lighting do you have or is it just the fact that you live in AZ (kinda warm there). I would try to get your salinity up a bit too, maybe up to 1.024 or .025, like what has been said what a week or so for your ammonia levels to get to 0 before adding clean up.

shramj · 05/16/2007, 08:10 AM

I have the heater completely off, I have the stock dual 55w PC lights on the tank. I keep my AC down to 80 degrees and it is still getting hot. I think just the fact of living in AZ and having the lid closed is making it so warm. They do have an opening for another fan in the back of the tank and I may go that route but I am still nervous that adding another fan will get it down to a stable temp. What happens when it is August and it is 115 outside? I think a chiller is the safest bet, especially living in the desert. I will get the salt up also. Thanks!

05/15/2007, 09:22 PM	#1
shramj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 525	My new tank levels, what do you think? I have had my 34 gallon RedSeaMax cycling since Thursday. I put a raw shrimp in on Friday and took it out on Sunday morning, it seemed to have jump started my tank quite well. I have to get my temp down so I will get a chiller. I was keeping the lid closed on the tank and today I started leaving it up, it seemed to have dropped the temp already by 1 degree, tomorrow I will put a frozen water bottle in to help lower it even more. I have diatoms on alot of the rock and it is also starting to grow on the sand. I was wondering when you think I could start putting in a cleaning crew. Can the cleaning crew start without a chiller or is my temp too high? Monday Tests, Salt 1.022, Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 0.2, Nitrate 5.0, PH 8.0, temp 87, ALK 2.6 Tuesday Tests, Salt 1.021, Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 0.05, Nitrate 10, PH 8.4, temp 86, ALK 2.4

05/15/2007, 09:54 PM	#2
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	I would recommend adding no cleaning crew until your ammonia is zero for at least a week. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

05/15/2007, 10:00 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree, but I'd also double-check the ammonia result if it stays at that level for very long. There seem to be a fair number of problems with ammonia test kits reported here. I'd try to get the temperature down to 82 F as the base. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/15/2007, 10:06 PM	#5
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	Yea wow, just completely unplug your heater for a while. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

05/15/2007, 10:59 PM	#6
arts007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 600	Yeah see if you can get your temp down and stable, maybe try a fan over the top of the water...What kind of lighting do you have or is it just the fact that you live in AZ (kinda warm there). I would try to get your salinity up a bit too, maybe up to 1.024 or .025, like what has been said what a week or so for your ammonia levels to get to 0 before adding clean up. __________________ Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99% perspiration, which is why engineers sometimes smell really bad. Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef tank. 2x 400 watt Reeflux 12k on lumenbrights

05/15/2007, 10:05 PM	#4
shramj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 525	Thanks guys! I have been testing my levels daily, you have all been a big help. Alan214, you have answered a few of my questions, thanks!

05/16/2007, 08:10 AM	#7
shramj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 525	I have the heater completely off, I have the stock dual 55w PC lights on the tank. I keep my AC down to 80 degrees and it is still getting hot. I think just the fact of living in AZ and having the lid closed is making it so warm. They do have an opening for another fan in the back of the tank and I may go that route but I am still nervous that adding another fan will get it down to a stable temp. What happens when it is August and it is 115 outside? I think a chiller is the safest bet, especially living in the desert. I will get the salt up also. Thanks!