Help me with my 37 Gallon

[clownman]

Hi,
As I have mentioned before, while I am waiting on my 200 Gallon Reef Ready tank, I recently obtained a 37 Gallon Tank which I will convert into Quarintine Tank, but for now, setting up as if this is my Reef Tank. Certain situation might back up the 200 Gallon arrival
Anyway,
I hooked up a UV Sterolizer and a Hang on Protein Skimmer/Filter (w/ rio 600), heater --all of these came free with the free system
So, I added 15lbs Reef Sand and a Liverock 11+ lbs chunk (just bought). Although I made my share of mistakes, I thought things were going pretty good until I discovered a tiny crab's deadbody right next to Liverock
I would care less if I didn't discover the tiny guy (really tiny)
I did some testing and here's the situation
pH (in my scale 85, is it 8.05 ?)
Temperature (Range | oC | oF): 79-82oF
Specific Gravity / Salintity (g/g | ppt):
1.024
Ammonia (ppm): (Less than 0.25) 0
Nitrite (ppm): 0
--This test kit also part of the free package, but I will get a good test kit tomorrow.
Can/Should I take any action right now? Or should I wait and see? Also, should the light be on continously or turn it off after 8 hours or so?
Thanks for your help/
Clownman

 

[andymi]

Since you just started this tank I would turn off the protein skimmer and uv sterlizer. The tank still needs to cycle. What other filtration do you have? Using a skimmer and other products during the cycling process will do nothing but delay it. I would (if you dont have it now) just go get a small bio-wheel filter for cheap and run that during the cycle. Throw the DSB in there and the LR. It is possible you will lose some things especially if the sand you used was no live. Ammonia spikes can and will happen during the cycle in which case you could have lost the hermit due to this. I hope it all makes sense. Just be patient and get a better test kit. I like either the salifert or fasTest test kits.
--Andy

 

[clownman]

Thanks for the advice. I will unhook the UV Sterolizer . Protein Skimmeer is not so powerful, a hang on type (and yet to get anything out)
R,

 

[jond]

You don't mention what livestock is in the tank except for the dead crab. What else is in the tank? There may be nothing for the skimmer to pull out.

 

[clownman]

Nothing at the moment. Basically, I only have a 11lbs Live Rock piece in it and 15lbs of Reef Sand (not Live Sand). Now, I kinda regret for not putting live Sand. That crab came out of liverock (so tiny, it could be a baby crab (what do you call them )
I am about to grab 40lbs more liverock from this guy who's selling me from his established tank (2 years..fiji premium) for $150/lbs)
I am not adding any fish or anything yet as I would hate to see them die when I'm just starting off and making a lot of mistakes
Thanks

 

[clownman]

Obviously, I wanted to say 1.50 not 150
Thanks