MY tank set up

[jhebi]

THESE ARE MY READINGS...
just did the readin of the salt on my tank, the reading came out 1.017 and 18. Should i raise the salinity a notch???
And my readings are ph 8, amo 1.0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5, AND I STILL HAVE THE 3 COOKED SHRIMPS ON MY TANK, SHOULD I TAKE IT OUT OR LEAVE IT...IT HAS BEEN 2 DAYS IN THERE. HOW ARE MY READINGS?????
AND ALSO SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT I CAN PUT ONE FISH IN THERE TO CYCLE, A DAMSEL?? IS THAT RIGHT?? Can i also add some cleaning shrimps and hermits with the damsel or just wait.....
tks guys, so many questions.........sorry

 

[treybomb]

dont put anything that is alive in there yet wait for it to cycle.. get your salinity up to 1.025

 

[jdragunas]

Yes, you definately need to raise the "salt" in the water to 1.025. Don't add a damsel to help the cycle, as this is cruel. It's like putting you in a house with no ventalation and mustard gas for 4 weeks. Your ammonia is at a good level. Your cycle has started, and everything looks good. If you add a cleaning crew, they'll die within hours, as they're really sensative to ammonia, nitrates, & nitrites.
Jenn

 

[drew2005]

I agree with treybomb about not putting any live stock in there until the cycle is complete. I wouldnt worry too much about the salinity right now. You can raise it when the cycle is over and you do a big water change to lower your nitrates. If your going reef tank than keep your salinity 1.024-1.025. If fish only your good with 1.021-1.023. No need to remove the shrimps until they start to decompose. No need for the damsel either. Why put a fish through the stress of a cycle. Good luck

 

[jhebi]

Got it.......tks guys will wait until the cycling is over to add any fish???
Last question, when will I know when the cycle is over??? sorryy

 

[jdragunas]

When your test reads with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and a whole lot of nitrates. Then you'll do a big water change to get your nitrates down, and that's it.
Jenn

 

[hot883]

1st off take the COOKED shrimp out and put in a raw one. Did I read that right? You will get faster results if it is raw!
Please do not cycle with fish!

 

[jhebi]

ok....will test daily and wehen i get the right readings will do the water change about 30% is fine on 55gl???? and than add some fish...
Is just that some other forum they told me that it was ok to add damsel to cycle, and not a good idea with the shrimp....i keep getting confused :notsure:
just on that i grew 20 white hairs.......i guess is just me trying to be carefull with something new

tks and will keep posted with readings and pics soon....
this is my tank set up, is it ok with rocks or should i add more???
sorry had to cut the right portion due to size

 

[jdragunas]

looks like a good amount of rockage... nice setup!
With the damsel thing, some people just haven't understood why we use shrimp instead. It accomplishes the EXACT same thing. The shrimp being dead, puts ammonia into the tank. The damsels' waste (poo and pee) put ammonia into the tank. Just using a shrimp isn't torturing a live animal (even though damsels are really mean, and probably deserve it...lol).
Yeppers, keep us updated!!!
Jenn

 

[jhebi]

TRUE...JUST DONT WANT TO TORTURE THE LITTLE CREATURES.....
GOT IT THAN WHEN, AMONIA IS 0 AND NITRITE IS 0 AND NITRATE IS OUT OF THE ROOF, THATS WHEN THE CYCKE IS OVER......MAKE WATER CHANGE MAYBE 35% AND THAN CYCLE IS OVER.....OKIE DOKIE SAN TOKIE
ALL RIGHT...THANK YOU GUYS~~~

 

[jhebi]

Forgot To Ask
When My Cycle Is Over And I Add 2 Damsels, Which Ones Are The Prettiest And Give Color To My Tank?? Any Suggestions

 

[drew2005]

Originally Posted by jhebi
Forgot To Ask
When My Cycle Is Over And I Add 2 Damsels, Which Ones Are The Prettiest And Give Color To My Tank?? Any Suggestions
IMO i wouldnt put any damsels in there. They can be very aggressive and territorial. They could also stress any other fish you plan on adding after that. But its your tank. Honestly i would start with some clowns. They are hardy and have lots of personality. I love mine. They eat right from my hand.

 

[treybomb]

i wouldnt add any damsels cuz they can be aggressive towards every fish that u put in there and if you do put them in there its gonna be really hard to get them out (cuz u probalby will have 2)

 

[jhebi]

Ok So The Best Way To Go Is 2 Clown Fish......and Than Later Some Other Fish..
I Just Want The Best, Like You Guys....u Guys Know More Than Me...
Clownfish Are Pretty..i Dont Mind =)
When I Add Clowns, Can I Also Add Cleaning Shrimps And Hermits

 

[treybomb]

first wait for your tank to completely cycle which could take up to 6 weeks and then verry slowly add fish i would say add the clean up crew after all your fish are in but im not 100% sure on that : )

 

[drew2005]

When your done cycling get your nitrates as low as possible by doing water changes. When they get to 20 or less and it stays that way for a week, then its time for the clean up crew. Add cleanup crew let them go to work and make sure everything is ok with them and your parameters are stable. Id say at least 2 more weeks and you can start to add fish. Do not add too many at once. 1 or 2 at the most is acceptable. Then wait at least 4-6 weeks before adding another. Be sure not to overstock either. Good luck. and remember patience is the key in this hobby.

 

[hot883]

Generally a cycle lasts 4-6 WEEKS. At that point you can add a clean up crew and 1 fish. Wait a couple WEEKS and add 1 more fish etc. At about week 8 then you can do a water change. Some say to wait til then, I did mine at 4 weeks and have done it every week since then. I have a 55 gal. and I change 7 gallons each time. I always change on Thursday and on Tuesday is when I mix my salt water and place a power head in the dedicated salt water mixing tub to aerate the new salt water to stabilize it. A rubbermaid container works well.
A Quarantene tank QT will need to be set up sometime. I am showing you mine with a heater, bio filter and some pvc pieces. THAT'S it. No rock, sand etc. It does have a cover for it as well. That way you can medicate fish in here if you need to and ALL fish should be placed in a QT before going into the main tank. And there is a shot of my 55 that needs some attention paid to it this weekend.

 

[jhebi]

tKS DREW AND HOT WILL DO THAT......AS SOON CYCLE IS FINISHED I WILL DO WATER CHANGE AND THAN ADD THE CLEANING CREW???
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE CLEANING CREW ARE CONSISTED OF???
JUST AN IDEA......SORRY TO ASK SO MANY QUESTIONS
BY THE WAY HOT, NICE TANK

 

[drew2005]

Originally Posted by jhebi
tKS DREW AND HOT WILL DO THAT......AS SOON CYCLE IS FINISHED I WILL DO WATER CHANGE AND THAN ADD THE CLEANING CREW???
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE CLEANING CREW ARE CONSISTED OF???
JUST AN IDEA......SORRY TO ASK SO MANY QUESTIONS
BY THE WAY HOT, NICE TANK

Check out the reef packages on this site. I ordered mine from here.

 

[jhebi]

i just finished putting my skimmer in my tank and is on but there is so much white stuff going in and out...it seemd like little salt bubbles.....is that normal or did i do something wrong???
can someone help??? check the pic