New Tank Advice

[wickedwes]

Hey all. new to the fish world but love it already. been reading the site (and everything else i can) for a while now and learnin' a ton. thanks for all of the valuable advice. i recently started a new tank. this is what i have:
110 gallon long tank
15 gal wet/dry w/bio balls
lifeguard quiet one circulation pump
berlin venturi protein skimmer (not currently running)
mag 700 for skimmer
3-55w 10,000k PC's(not on)
3-55w Premium Blue PC's(not on)
40 lbs of nature's ocean live sand
84 lbs of arag alive live reef sand
40 lbs of nature's ocean "dead" sand
65 lbs of live rock (premium fiji & carribean) - cured i am pretty sure (lots of corraline and no bad smell)
the tank has had ro/di saltwater in it for approx 3 weeks, sand (3"-4") in it for 12 days. I added some of the rock 3 days after sand and then some more 4 days after that and the rest another 4 days after that (last night). i have tested the water every day and everything seems to be great - Ammonia=0, N03=0, N04=0, PH=8.2, Temp = 78-79, Ca+=440, SG=1.0225. There has not been any real changes in the levels. I have even had the lfs check the water also cause i thought i was testing wrong. I guess my question would be whether or my tank still needs to cycle or is it already "cycled" from all of the live rock and sand and is it safe to start to add fish now? Thank you in advance for the help!
ps. sorry for the lengthy question
[ June 14, 2001: Message edited by: wickedwes ]

 

[goofieones]

I would say it might be okay to add one or two hardy fish, but don't go out and get an angel or anything like that. Once you add this fish test the levels agian a couple of times, see if the amonia goes up any. If not wait like a week or two and add another. Just add new fish slowly, like one every few weeks or so.

 

[broomer5]

Man that is textbook perfect new tank set up if I have ever seen one, and one of the most complete questions ever posted. In my opinion with all the live sand and live rock you've used, and the rate you put the rock in - you may not even register readings on your test kits - I've heard of tanks cycling so quickly that you may miss it. Maybe this is the case, then again maybe not.
Anyways .. I would let it go for a couple few more weeks to be sure .. but others here may have other ideas too.
If you go about planning, stocking and maintaining your tank in the same manner that you initially set it up .. you are going to eliminate so many problems down the road, and really enjoy it !
I tip my hat to you - welcome to the board - and a 110 long is a great reef tank
Brian
[ June 14, 2001: Message edited by: broomer5 ]

 

[wickedwes]

thanks guys for your imput. i will wait a little longer and continue reading up on some fish. any other comments or advice are welcome!

 

[marine qa]

That is a nice setup. One I'd wished I started with.
You could probably get a few hardy fish. I also like grn. chromis. You could eventually get a small school(6+) if you kept a non-aggressive tank. I might only get 3 to start with though. However, you will lose nothing by waiting a couple more weeks.