Fresh tank - pointers appreciated

[Chig]

Hey guys, started up a 16g SW reef with my buddy a couple of days ago and honestly had done little to no research leading up to the day. So we figured out the basics and went from there!
Would love some pointers and constructive criticism. Not looking for a "what were you thinking" response. I ask myself that enough already

20g tank
16g well water, treated for chlorine. (I know, I know)
16lbs live rock
2.5 inch live sand(medium)
406 fluval canister (coarse foam, plastic pellets, carbon)
Power head
Crappy heater(holding at 80 constant)
2 15 watt fluorescent daylight/blue light

Got my water to a nice 1.025 salinity
Got my sand and live rock placed in, filter and power head running temp set.
Did a test to make sure water was okay first day, all checked out but had a reading of .5ppm phosphate which is making me worried. Should it be?
Second day ph was 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Calcium 420ppm

What did I do wrong? What's right? It's a learning curve for me so all knowledge is helpful!
Thanks.

[thegrun]

Please read the stickies at the top of this forum, particularly the "***Setting up a tank" articles. Yes, the .5ppm phosphate reading if accurate is likely to become an issue as it will fuel algae blooms. Most of us do not like to use canister filters, they require a lot of maintenance. The best advice I can offer is to read up on the hobby before you act!

[Chig]

Thanks thegrun!
Yah those stickies are quite handy, wish I found this site before I acted!
As far as the canister I'm aware they are frowned upon but through research if properly maintained/cleaned, you can prevent these canisters from becoming nitrate/ammonia cavities.
I will do some more reading!

[Chig]

Phosphate levels were 0 this morning, either I tested wrong previously or levels came down.
My calcium levels were good, 440 ppm but my alkalinity is seeming way up there at a DKH of 14. My research has shown that usually the worst situation is when one is down and one is up not when both are high. In another thread it states that the levels will come down. So if I have high calcium as well then just let it buffer for a while and hope for the best?

[billdogg]

Your alkalinity may be high because you used well water. You might want to check it straight from the tap just to see. I would highly recommend the purchase of a ro/di unit, available from many vendors. The heater is a non-submersible heater. It will fail sooner rather than later due to salt creep getting in to it. I used a canister filter for over 20 years on my 60g cube. It worked just fine, but it will quickly become a PIA to take care of. They make a good place for carbon and GFO, so it is definitely of use, just not necessarily the best option available.

Because your tank is new, you really don't need to worry about Calcium, Alkalinity, or Magnesium at this point. You still need to get it cycled, so you are looking at at least 1 month (2 really) before you should be adding any corals that might be affected by the levels being off. Worry about that then.

For now, your primary concern should be Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate as the tank cycles, along with that Phosphate level.

Your lighting will not be adequate for any coral beyond maybe mushrooms, and even then it will be marginal, so start looking over the many (confusing) choices there. Once again, you have plenty of time to think about it before you act.

In a month or so, (after the Ammonia and Nitrite have returned to 0 and Nitrate is beginning to show up, you will be ready for your first fish. Choose wisely, there are not too many really good choices for a tank that size, but that will depend on what your plans for it are.

Good Luck, and keep us updated!

[Chig]

Originally Posted by billdogg

Your alkalinity may be high because you used well water. You might want to check it straight from the tap just to see. I would highly recommend the purchase of a ro/di unit, available from many vendors. The heater is a non-submersible heater. It will fail sooner rather than later due to salt creep getting in to it. I used a canister filter for over 20 years on my 60g cube. It worked just fine, but it will quickly become a PIA to take care of. They make a good place for carbon and GFO, so it is definitely of use, just not necessarily the best option available.

Because your tank is new, you really don't need to worry about Calcium, Alkalinity, or Magnesium at this point. You still need to get it cycled, so you are looking at at least 1 month (2 really) before you should be adding any corals that might be affected by the levels being off. Worry about that then.

For now, your primary concern should be Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate as the tank cycles, along with that Phosphate level.

Your lighting will not be adequate for any coral beyond maybe mushrooms, and even then it will be marginal, so start looking over the many (confusing) choices there. Once again, you have plenty of time to think about it before you act.

In a month or so, (after the Ammonia and Nitrite have returned to 0 and Nitrate is beginning to show up, you will be ready for your first fish. Choose wisely, there are not too many really good choices for a tank that size, but that will depend on what your plans for it are.

Good Luck, and keep us updated!

Thanks a lot billdog you've answered a lot of questions I was unsure of. I didn't know how picky I need to be during the cycle stage and you've put me at relief a bit!
Tested the water from the well and that is he cause of alkalinity level. For now I'm going to be grabbing a ro/di unit, proper heating and look into a light unit.

[billdogg]

Originally Posted by Chig

Thanks a lot billdog you've answered a lot of questions I was unsure of. I didn't know how picky I need to be during the cycle stage and you've put me at relief a bit!
Tested the water from the well and that is he cause of alkalinity level. For now I'm going to be grabbing a ro/di unit, proper heating and look into a light unit.

Happy to help!

Please don't hesitate to ask more questions!!!!