First Water Test

[thezucks]

Hi this is my first water test on my own (I always brought it into the LFS) My tank is 8 months old and cycled. I have been using nitromax, marine care plus and marine max as well as liquid gravel with water changes and additions as well as bi-weekly durring a spike. I am concidering doing away with all these chemicals (unless I get a spike

). I tested my tap water and there are no nitrates, nitrites, or ammonia and the PH is between 8 and 8.2 (I'm new at reading the chart) is this a good idea?
Currently my 120 G fish only tank (no live rock) has perfect PH, ammonia, and Nitrite's but my nitrate is between 5 and 10 is this worth doing something?
Different question I also have a 24G nano with a spiny oyster and some inverts, I have had 10 lbs live rock curring in a bucket with a few power heads for 2 weeks, I have done 3 water changes and the rocks no longer smell and are becoming colorful. Can I add them to my tank? Do I need any supplements or chemicals when I add them?
Thanks, I love this site.

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by TheZucks
Hi this is my first water test on my own (I always brought it into the LFS) My tank is 8 months old and cycled. I have been using nitromax, marine care plus and marine max as well as liquid gravel with water changes and additions as well as bi-weekly durring a spike. I am concidering doing away with all these chemicals (unless I get a spike

). I tested my tap water and there are no nitrates, nitrites, or ammonia and the PH is between 8 and 8.2 (I'm new at reading the chart) is this a good idea?
Currently my 120 G fish only tank (no live rock) has perfect PH, ammonia, and Nitrite's but my nitrate is between 5 and 10 is this worth doing something?
Different question I also have a 24G nano with a spiny oyster and some inverts, I have had 10 lbs live rock curring in a bucket with a few power heads for 2 weeks, I have done 3 water changes and the rocks no longer smell and are becoming colorful. Can I add them to my tank? Do I need any supplements or chemicals when I add them?
Thanks, I love this site.
First of all I would suggest quit using tap water period. Start by using RO and or RO/DI water. Since you have a large tank, you should look into getting a RO/DI unit put in your faucet system. Nitrates being <10 shouldn't be a problem, but you can do a 20% water change to really lower that nitrate down to zero. Ph should be around 8.3, but yours is ok. You can add those cured rocks into your tank without a problem. But do test the water that they're in to make sure everything is ok. :happyfish

 

[thezucks]

I'll do a 20% good Idea, I just checked the reef tank and found eveything the same except ammonia it's between .25 and .50 will a water change help or hurt this?

 

[turningtim]

I agree with Mikey, use RO water. Just b/c there are no Ammn, trates or phos doesn't mean that there may be heavy metals in it.
HTH
Tim

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by TheZucks
I'll do a 20% good Idea, I just checked the reef tank and found eveything the same except ammonia it's between .25 and .50 will a water change help or hurt this?
The reef tank your referring to is your Nano right? How long has it been setup? Did it ever cycle?? Do you have the rocks in it now?? :happyfish

 

[thezucks]

I used everything from my old tank cc (which I intend to change to LS) water bio the works. it's been up and running for 5 weeks on it's own, it has all my inverts in it now. But the live rock is not in there yet.
The RO unit your refering to is that a unit that goes into my sink (not my tank?) What's the best price on one? Is there a compreable one for a house unit?

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by TheZucks
I used everything from my old tank cc (which I intend to change to LS) water bio the works. it's been up and running for 5 weeks on it's own, it has all my inverts in it now. But the live rock is not in there yet.
The RO unit your refering to is that a unit that goes into my sink (not my tank?) What's the best price on one? Is there a compreable one for a house unit?
Do a research on those units, yes it goes to your faucet, not your tank. I don't own one, I just go buy mine. I won't get one of those units until we move. We have intentions to move by next year. I would place those rocks in there and do a 20% water change, that's if those rocks are well cured!! And then just watch your parameters and do water changes if needed. :happyfish

 

[thezucks]

Is 2 weeks well curred? colors are showing and they look clean

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by TheZucks
Is 2 weeks well curred? colors are showing and they look clean
It can take up to a month or so depending on situation. How does it smell?? Test the water in that bucket yet?? :happyfish

 

[thezucks]

HA HA HA LFS Said about a week with just a power head. But it smells good MUCH better than when I brought it home. it's ocean like but not dirty. Add it and do a 20% change?

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by TheZucks
HA HA HA LFS Said about a week with just a power head. But it smells good MUCH better than when I brought it home. it's ocean like but not dirty. Add it and do a 20% change?
I would add it in and do 20% water change yes! Then keep on checking your parameters and see how it goes, do another 20-25% water change if needed. :happyfish

 

[thezucks]

I have done so i'll check perimiters and then change water when? tommrow or more? 1 question I have dark brown worm like hitchhikers on my rock now that they are in the lights. What are they? Good or bad?

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by TheZucks
I have done so i'll check perimiters and then change water when? tommrow or more? 1 question I have dark brown worm like hitchhikers on my rock now that they are in the lights. What are they? Good or bad?
Change water if anything goes wrong. If too high of ammonia, etc. No picture of the worm? It can be several different worms. Bristle worms, spaghetti worms, peanut worms, etc. :happyfish