New Aquarium

[dnvrbrown]

I know there are tons of threads out there asking the same questions, over and over and all of your answers are GREAT!!! They have helped me a lot. Now, I bought a new aquarium and I am trying hard to be successful with Saltwater Fish. Here is a breakdown of what I've done so far....12/7/08 filled tank with saltwater (salt level appeared good according to hydrometer) 12/8/08 filled with Live Sand, 12/9/08 added Live Rock. I know the live rock needs to be cured and the tank needs cycled. The lady at the fish store said for me to put the rock directly into the tank as soon as I got home (it was within 45 minutes after it was removed from the tank at the store). My salt level according to my hydrometer (everyone was sold out of the refractometer) was low so I removed some water and added salt to it then placed back in tank. My salt level is in the middle of what the hydrometer says it should be so I think its ok. I have read that my amonia levels will spike then come back to zero then its time to start adding a clean up crew. I've been monitoring the amonia level and it went up slightly after I added the sand and rock but is now back down to zero. My concern is that it didn't go high enough before coming back down. I was expecting weeks of this and it seems to be going really quickly. The tank looks crystal clear and seems to be doing great. What are your suggestions for my next step? How long should I wait to add my clean up crew? All of your suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[nycbob]

if the rocks u bought from a lfs r cured, u r not going to get much of a cycle. hv u tested for nitrite and nitrate? u will need to test for these too. nitrite at 0, and low nitrate, u can start adding a few inverts such as snails or hermits.

 

[sweetheart]

Looks great!! I think your coming off to a great start

 

[dnvrbrown]

I have not tested for nitrate or nitrite either one. I'll pick up a test kit tomorrow and check the levels. If those levels are ok, you think it will be fine to add a few inverts like you said? I guess I am paranoid since its only been like 3 days. Like I said before, I was expecting like 4 weeks, LOL

 

[maryg]

How big of a tank is it? My 12gallon only took 10 days to cycle. You might need some more LR. Looks good so far. Looks like you got good flow.
Keep posting!

 

[dnvrbrown]

Its a 36 gallon tank.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[culp]

how many pounds of live rock do you have? also how many pounds of live sand?
for live rock the normal rule is 1 to 1 1/2 lb per gallon.

 

[jtt]

i agree, looks like you need some more live rock.
you can buy test kits that check pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. its something like $23 at my lfs, and i use it soooo much. first the ammonia will spike, then the nitrites will spike also, then the nitrates. once the nitrates have come up do a water change and youre good to go.
live rock is really important, so dont skip out on how much you get!
good luck and welcome!

 

[jtt]

oh hey also, its not a good idea to mix salt directly into the tank... its ok now while youre getting started and theres no stock in there, but it wont go over well when youve got corals and fish in there... best is to mix the saltwater in a bucket and then add it

EDIT:--- just read that you took water out and then added it back in. Im an idiot. my bad!
what kind of lighting you got goin on?

 

[rotarymagic]

rip off the hood/canopy and toss a nice individually reflected 36inch current usa nova extreme pro T5HO on there.. it'll look nice!!

You'll be able to keep all sorts of corals too.

 

[trouble93]

Originally Posted by dnvrbrown
http:///forum/post/2872773
Its a 36 gallon tank.
Looks like you could use some more rock...You don't want to wait to add it down the line since you are in your cycle you don't want to get cycled add more rock and have to start over. Remember 1 to 1.5lbs per gal. of water.

 

[blacktop pete]

nice looking tank good luck. keep on reading these boards and you will get all the help you need. i am also new to the hobby, the people on these boards will lead you in the right direction just listen and dont rush things

 

[dnvrbrown]

I have 25lb of live rock. I tested the Amonia again today, still zero. I tested the Nitrite and its zero, and the Nitrate is barely showing anything. Since my levels look good, I bought a turbo snail and 5 hermit crabs and added them to my tank this morning. So far they are still alive and very active. One thing I did notice is very small clear/grayish bugs around the tank. What could they be? Do I need to get rid of them somehow? If so, how? All of the advise so far has been great and really appreciated. Man, this stuff is so addicting!!!

 

[jtt]

Originally Posted by dnvrbrown
http:///forum/post/2874017
...One thing I did notice is very small clear/grayish bugs around the tank...
picture?

 

[camfish]

Originally Posted by Rotarymagic
http:///forum/post/2873246
rip off the hood/canopy and toss a nice individually reflected 36inch current usa nova extreme pro T5HO on there.. it'll look nice!!

You'll be able to keep all sorts of corals too.
That's the light I have +1.

 

[dnvrbrown]

they are too small for me to take a picture. If I can catch it close to the front of the tank, I'll try again. They are very very small!! I know this sounds wierd, but they kind of remind me of lice, LOL.

 

[jtt]

lice... hmmmm its hard without a picture... do they look like this?
if so, then they are copepods...
picture courtesy of google images

 

[dnvrbrown]

Yes, that's what they look like. Are they ok to leave in the tank or do I need to do something to rid of them? If so, what can I do?

 

[cmaxwell39]

Copepods are a good thing to have in the tank. In fact they will help to feed your livestock eventually. They came in on your live rock. Everything looks good so far. Congratulations.