florida joe
Well-Known Member
I am really sorry but reading this makes me think its April 1st
I am new at saltwater fish. Need some help
- Thread starter gundamseed31
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by gundamseed31 http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help#post_3341978
OK thank you very much Flower. Reef tank is like having corals and stuff right?
Yes. That's correct. The Reef Master Test kit does not contain the very important ammonia test needed for all start up tanks. The Master saltwater doesn't give the tests for Calcium, KH and phosphates that is needed to monitor a reef. It does carry the essentials for a saltwater tank start up.
Originally Posted by gundamseed31 http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help#post_3341978
OK thank you very much Flower. Reef tank is like having corals and stuff right?
Yes. That's correct. The Reef Master Test kit does not contain the very important ammonia test needed for all start up tanks. The Master saltwater doesn't give the tests for Calcium, KH and phosphates that is needed to monitor a reef. It does carry the essentials for a saltwater tank start up.
spanko
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help#post_3341914
...Do NOT use distilled water. distilled water has nothing in it but Nitrogen and Oxygen.
RO/DI water has nutrients in it that fish need.............
Best of luck-
Snapple
(warning: Reading This Thread May cause a serious brain meltdown)
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help#post_3341914
...Do NOT use distilled water. distilled water has nothing in it but Nitrogen and Oxygen.
RO/DI water has nutrients in it that fish need.............
Best of luck-
Snapple
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3341981
I am really sorry but reading this makes me think its April 1st
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3341984
LOL....Blink your eyes and it will be here before you know it.,.....HAHA
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3341981
I am really sorry but reading this makes me think its April 1st
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3341984
LOL....Blink your eyes and it will be here before you know it.,.....HAHA
mkroher
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help#post_3341914
Welcome to the forum.
Do NOT use distilled water. distilled water has nothing in it but Nitrogen and Oxygen. Where did you get this information?
RO/DI water has nutrients in it that fish need. What nutrients would those be?
Cycling a tank is roughly 3-5 weeks depending on size, what you run ect. Size of what?
My pico (3gal) cycled in 7 days but I do NOT recommend this tank to anyone starting out.
Make a list of fish you want in your tank and don't stray from it.
Don't get into the hobby thinking it is in anyway shape or form cheap. If you be cheap it will eventually bite you in the arse.
Best of luck-
Snapple
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help#post_3341914
Welcome to the forum.
Do NOT use distilled water. distilled water has nothing in it but Nitrogen and Oxygen. Where did you get this information?
RO/DI water has nutrients in it that fish need. What nutrients would those be?
Cycling a tank is roughly 3-5 weeks depending on size, what you run ect. Size of what?
My pico (3gal) cycled in 7 days but I do NOT recommend this tank to anyone starting out.
Make a list of fish you want in your tank and don't stray from it.
Don't get into the hobby thinking it is in anyway shape or form cheap. If you be cheap it will eventually bite you in the arse.
Best of luck-
Snapple
fretfreak13
Active Member
Yes, reef means with corals and stuff (Clams, anemones, other inverts, etc). Sorry, I didn't look hard enough to see that that was a freshwater kit. My mistake.
gundamseed31
Member
For ammonia do i want it to be at 0ppm? How do i lower the ammonia level if possible?
1snapple
Active Member
you don't. your tank needs to cycle. you will see your ammonia go up. then nitrite go about double the ammonia and the ammonia will go down to about 0ppm. Nitrites are dangerous for fish to so then the nitrites will go down and your nitrates will go up, when that has happened it has "cycled"
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3342126
you don't. your tank needs to cycle. you will see your ammonia go up. then nitrite go about double the ammonia and the ammonia will go down to about 0ppm. Nitrites are dangerous for fish to so then the nitrites will go down and your nitrates will go up, when that has happened it has "cycled"
+1
Do not add any critters until the tank has cycled and then wait a few weeks after to be sure it's done.
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3342126
you don't. your tank needs to cycle. you will see your ammonia go up. then nitrite go about double the ammonia and the ammonia will go down to about 0ppm. Nitrites are dangerous for fish to so then the nitrites will go down and your nitrates will go up, when that has happened it has "cycled"
+1
Do not add any critters until the tank has cycled and then wait a few weeks after to be sure it's done.
gundamseed31
Member
I did the testing i still have some trouble of reading some of the results.
The purple is pH and the sorta yellow and green is Ammonia.
I need help on the reading.
this shows 0ppm for nitrite No2-
This is the Nitrate (NO3-)
I am having trouble to read this color. I know this picture isn't clear but this is the best i can get it. i a guessing around 5.0 pmm to 10 ppm
What is the recommended ppm i should have?
Here is the chart.
I am graceful for everyone time and help! Thank you!
The purple is pH and the sorta yellow and green is Ammonia.
I need help on the reading.
this shows 0ppm for nitrite No2-
This is the Nitrate (NO3-)
I am having trouble to read this color. I know this picture isn't clear but this is the best i can get it. i a guessing around 5.0 pmm to 10 ppm
What is the recommended ppm i should have?
Here is the chart.
I am graceful for everyone time and help! Thank you!
gundamseed31
Member
Thank you everyone. I did the testing on the result and I need you input on this.
Here the link of the pictures i have taken so far.
http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb114/gundamseed31/water%20testing%20for%20saltfish/?mediafilter=images
Here the link of the pictures i have taken so far.
http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb114/gundamseed31/water%20testing%20for%20saltfish/?mediafilter=images
gundamseed31
Member
Also, Thank you everyone for the advice. I am really graceful for everyone patient who is willing to help me all the way. I am a complete new comer to this Hobby. I always wanted to start on this earlier but I couldn't afford it till now. I want to learn every aspect about this. I am reading book now, but i just like to ask more clear meaning of each topic. Thank you everyone.
gundamseed31
Member
this are the data i so far have gather with possible error.
pH 8.2~8.4 I can't really read the color.
Ammonia is around 0ppm I believe.
Nitrite is 0ppm
nitrate is around 5 pmm to 10pmm.
So what are your input on the results.
Thanks!
pH 8.2~8.4 I can't really read the color.
Ammonia is around 0ppm I believe.
Nitrite is 0ppm
nitrate is around 5 pmm to 10pmm.
So what are your input on the results.
Thanks!
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by gundamseed31 http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3342243
this are the data i so far have gather with possible error.
pH 8.2~8.4 I can't really read the color.
Ammonia is around 0ppm I believe.
Nitrite is 0ppm
nitrate is around 5 pmm to 10pmm.
So what are your input on the results.
Thanks!
I know what you mean by color beng iffy...I found with API tests that a sunny room with no direct light hitting the test tube...you can easy read it dead on. Hold the tube about 1/4 inch from the white part of the card looking at the color chart.
Follow dorections exactly, and shake the bottles to stir them up.
Originally Posted by gundamseed31 http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3342243
this are the data i so far have gather with possible error.
pH 8.2~8.4 I can't really read the color.
Ammonia is around 0ppm I believe.
Nitrite is 0ppm
nitrate is around 5 pmm to 10pmm.
So what are your input on the results.
Thanks!
I know what you mean by color beng iffy...I found with API tests that a sunny room with no direct light hitting the test tube...you can easy read it dead on. Hold the tube about 1/4 inch from the white part of the card looking at the color chart.
Follow dorections exactly, and shake the bottles to stir them up.
gundamseed31
Member
Ya i did all the testing carefully and following the directions. I am going retest the pH and the nitrates. I just need heads up on what i am looking for. Thanks
J
jstdv8
Guest
I read most of the post but not all, so forgive me if I reitterate stuff that's allready been said.
Are these the first readings you've taken?
your tank didn't cycle in 5 days. So if you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitirites then I'd guess you havn't even started cycling yet.
was the LR you are using dry when you put it in?
You need something in there to cause an ammonia spike so yuo can get things going.
But then that brings us back to the dead fish. if there is/was no ammonia present you likely did something else wrong like acclimation or no surface aggitation on the water to priovide oxygen to the fish. Since it died quickly I'd say it's acclimation.
So, if you've never had ammonia in the tank you need to add some to get it going.
usually we do this with a large uncooked dinenr shrimp you drop in the tank and let it decompose for a couple days until you see ammonia on the test kit.
Are these the first readings you've taken?
your tank didn't cycle in 5 days. So if you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitirites then I'd guess you havn't even started cycling yet.
was the LR you are using dry when you put it in?
You need something in there to cause an ammonia spike so yuo can get things going.
But then that brings us back to the dead fish. if there is/was no ammonia present you likely did something else wrong like acclimation or no surface aggitation on the water to priovide oxygen to the fish. Since it died quickly I'd say it's acclimation.
So, if you've never had ammonia in the tank you need to add some to get it going.
usually we do this with a large uncooked dinenr shrimp you drop in the tank and let it decompose for a couple days until you see ammonia on the test kit.
gundamseed31
Member
The live rock were in a bag with saltwater in it. Yes you are right. I checked the testing in a brighter place and i see a lot clearer now. There isn't any ammonia. Is at 0 ppm now. Also Nitrite is at 0 ppm so yes the the tank is cycle.
I wondering if anyone would recommend this method of cycling the tank? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3433706
I am trying my best to find shrimp at the moment but right now i have no luck yet. Thank you everyone for the help.
I wondering if anyone would recommend this method of cycling the tank? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3433706
I am trying my best to find shrimp at the moment but right now i have no luck yet. Thank you everyone for the help.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by gundamseed31 http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3342674
The live rock were in a bag with saltwater in it. Yes you are right. I checked the testing in a brighter place and i see a lot clearer now. There isn't any ammonia. Is at 0 ppm now. Also Nitrite is at 0 ppm so yes the the tank is cycle.
I wondering if anyone would recommend this method of cycling the tank? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3433706
I am trying my best to find shrimp at the moment but right now i have no luck yet. Thank you everyone for the help.
Until you have ammonia nothing is going to happen as far as the cycle goes. You can load bacteria in the tank (the stuff ***** is offering) but until you feed it, it can’t grow.
Surely in the grocery store you can find raw shrimp..to be honest you can use any dead chunk of fish. The key is RAW DEAD fish meat. That will produce ammonia which the bacteria will feed on and grow. Once you have an ammonia reading of 1.0 to 2.0, remove the dead meat and let the tank alone to cultivate the bacteria. I use a knee high nylon stocking to put my dead fish in..the meat gets pretty fuzzy and breaks apart, the stocking makes it easier to remove and water flows through it easy..
Originally Posted by gundamseed31 http:///forum/thread/382655/i-am-new-at-saltwater-fish-need-some-help/20#post_3342674
The live rock were in a bag with saltwater in it. Yes you are right. I checked the testing in a brighter place and i see a lot clearer now. There isn't any ammonia. Is at 0 ppm now. Also Nitrite is at 0 ppm so yes the the tank is cycle.
I wondering if anyone would recommend this method of cycling the tank? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3433706
I am trying my best to find shrimp at the moment but right now i have no luck yet. Thank you everyone for the help.
Until you have ammonia nothing is going to happen as far as the cycle goes. You can load bacteria in the tank (the stuff ***** is offering) but until you feed it, it can’t grow.
Surely in the grocery store you can find raw shrimp..to be honest you can use any dead chunk of fish. The key is RAW DEAD fish meat. That will produce ammonia which the bacteria will feed on and grow. Once you have an ammonia reading of 1.0 to 2.0, remove the dead meat and let the tank alone to cultivate the bacteria. I use a knee high nylon stocking to put my dead fish in..the meat gets pretty fuzzy and breaks apart, the stocking makes it easier to remove and water flows through it easy..