Brand New Aquarium... Am i doing something wrong?

[anolan2]

I just started my saltwater tank. Its a 55 gallon tank. I would like it to be a fish only tank with aggressive fish, most likely the smaller breeds of triggers, puffers, maybe wrasse, hawkfish. I may add live rock at some point. This is what Ive done so far:
Day 1
I put in live sand (which i rinsed first) and then filled with water which was already treated ( w/ Prime) and already mixed with salt (Instant Ocean per instructions).
I added a few decorations and plugged in all appliances including filters, heater, air pump, powerhead, and LED lights
For filtration, I am using a Penguin Bio wheel 350 and a Rena 3 Canister Filter (added ceramics to the Rena Filter)
I added dosage of bacteria (Stability)
Day 2
I checked the tempt which has been consistent at 78 degrees
I checked the salinity which consistently at 1.021
I added another dosage of bacteria (stability) and a dosage of conditioner (AmQuel) per the instructions
I added 4 damsels
Day 3
I checked the PH level which was 8.2
I checked the ammonia level which was 0
I checked the Nitrite level which was 0
I checked the Nitrite level which was 0
hydrometer still showed 1.021
temp still at 78 degrees
MY QUESTIONS ARE:
I know the cycle isn't finished, but all the test show near perfect numbers, when should i expect the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels to spike?
Did I miss any steps along the way?
Did i add fish too fast?
Is my my setup (filtration) sufficient?
What now?... just wait?
Thanks for any advice in advance!

 

[jerth6932]

Quote:
Originally Posted by anolan2 http:///t/388705/brand-new-aquarium-am-i-doing-something-wrong#post_3429643
I just started my saltwater tank. Its a 55 gallon tank. I would like it to be a fish only tank with aggressive fish, most likely the smaller breeds of triggers, puffers, maybe wrasse, hawkfish. I may add live rock at some point. This is what Ive done so far:
Day 1
I put in live sand (which i rinsed first) and then filled with water which was already treated ( w/ Prime) and already mixed with salt (Instant Ocean per instructions).
I added a few decorations and plugged in all appliances including filters, heater, air pump, powerhead, and LED lights
For filtration, I am using a Penguin Bio wheel 350 and a Rena 3 Canister Filter (added ceramics to the Rena Filter)
I added dosage of bacteria (Stability)
Day 2
I checked the tempt which has been consistent at 78 degrees
I checked the salinity which consistently at 1.021
I added another dosage of bacteria (stability) and a dosage of conditioner (AmQuel) per the instructions
I added 4 damsels
Day 3
I checked the PH level which was 8.2
I checked the ammonia level which was 0
I checked the Nitrite level which was 0
I checked the Nitrite level which was 0
hydrometer still showed 1.021
temp still at 78 degrees
MY QUESTIONS ARE:
I know the cycle isn't finished, but all the test show near perfect numbers, when should i expect the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels to spike?
Did I miss any steps along the way?
Did i add fish too fast? 1
Is my my setup (filtration) sufficient? 2
What now?... just wait? 3
Thanks for any advice in advance!
1- Yes, it is a better practice to cycle with RAW shrimp. Fish can feel the effects of the cycle, and its better not to subject them to it.
2- I would add the live rock you mentioned right now, it will help with your filtration (I do have to admit I don't know much about FOWLR set ups), but I know that LR does a great job at filtration.
3- Never can go wrong with waiting, and giving your tank time. Your numbers will spike, I for see them going within the next couple of days. Cycles take time, what test kit are you testing your tank with?

 

[anolan2]

Im using API kit with the test tubes/ drops
I have a few pieces of rock in the tank now that were not live. Is it true that eventually the bacteria will grow and the rock can sort of become "live"?
will an undulated trigger be OK in a 55 gal?
Thanks for the reply

 

[jerth6932]

Quote:
Originally Posted by anolan2 http:///t/388705/brand-new-aquarium-am-i-doing-something-wrong#post_3429648
Im using API kit with the test tubes/ drops
I have a few pieces of rock in the tank now that were not live. Is it true that eventually the bacteria will grow and the rock can sort of become "live"?
will an undulated trigger be OK in a 55 gal?
Thanks for the reply
API some times have faulty readings from what I have read on them, I have never owned one of those tests.
You will want to add some live rock pieces to "seed" those that aren't live. Yes it is true, as long as you have some to seed with.
I am in a hospital right now, so I don't have my fish bible with me, but I have looked at a couple of sites, that range the tank between 50-90 gallon. So it would be a push to keep it in a 55 for long term, as they can achieve 12" and that would be a fourth of that tank lenght.

 

[michaeltx]

adding the bacteria and the AmQuel might be offsetting and locking any ammonia up in the tank so that it can not be read.
when setting up a new tank its best not to add any chemicals to the tank and let it go on naturally. Keep an eye on it and keep testing in the next week or so to make sure you are not going to have a delayed reaction on the ammonia.
I would also go with what Jerth said going slow in this hobby is the best way to go.
Nothing in this hobby happens fast except the bad things and tank crashes. Take your time and research and ask question and such.
Hope that all makes sense LOL
Mike

 

[mr. limpid]

No one had said it yet so I going to and I'm not being mean, I'm trying to help you. You need to take those damsel out and return them to the LFS, I know a lot of people do not like damsels because they are mean little devils, but 4 in a brand new set up is cruel. And do you really want 4 damsels if so your next fish need to meaner than them or those 4 will kill it. Also 4 damsel my not work out either I put 2 yellow tail in a 20gal and one killed the other, I did keep 2 yellow tail in a 10gal that mated but not these last two. I would wait til your tank has finished cycling and figure out what fish you want to keep and then you can make a plan of what order to add them in. Good luck and keep asking questions.

 

[anolan2]

OK thanks for all the advice!

 

[1guydude]

as far as the damsels go...u could add a small lionfish to ur tank later and it would provide some food to the fish!

 

[jburgi]

When I set up my tank for the first time I was also told to put in damsels. I kept all four of them for a week then returned them. Then I let it sit empty for another week, then added 3 fish that I wanted to keep. None of my damsels died, but the more I learn the less likely I would be to do that again! I wish I would have found this site when I was first setting everything up to help guide me through.

 

[anolan2]

Ya i was advised to buy the damsels as the source of ammonia, but now i see that the people who work at the fish store arent exactly trustworthy. Too bad i didnt find this site until yesterday. I will be returning the damsels...

 

[jerth6932]

Like it has been stated before, just because they work at a LFS, doesn't mean they know everything. Same thing, the opposite way though, it doesn't mean they don't know anything either. As with any info anyone gives you, research, cross check it and follow what you feel is right. Odds are defyable, but for the most part people here will give you good solid information.

 

[jburgi]

Plus everyone that has been doing this awhile have their own systems that work for them. I have just been trying to take all the great advice from the best, and then see what works best for me. I am not a risk taker, nor do I like to try to break rules. But I have friends that are constantly trying to get me to take risks, saying that it ALWAYS works out for them. And sometimes it does...but i hate to lose tons of things just to see what works in my tank.
We all have to start somewhere! I am just glad I found this resource