New to hobby. My first tank,and I need some help.

[klaeq]

First off, I am new to the hobby and this is my first tank: I have the following setup, and was wondering if someone could give me some advice.
Red Sea Max 34 gallon tank.
Prime Chiller 1/10th HP (too keep my tank cool)
31 lbs of LR.
22lbs Red Sea Max Reef Base.
I started the tank cycleon 03June2007, and went to my LFS to buy some premade salt water. While I was there, the guy told me that I should buy some "FRITZ-ZYME Turbo Start #900 (1oz bottle) to help get the tank started. He also convinced me to buy 18 hermit crabs, 3 turbo snails, and 3 astraea snails. He said that these would help with my cycle period, and that I could put fish in the tank in as little as 1 week. He also said to start my light timer on for 6 hours and slowly increase the time 30 minutes a day until I was up to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.
After reading several posts, I've waited to put fish in there. Right now I am getting the following readings in my tank.
Temp: 80 degrees
Salinity: 1.021
ph: 8.2
alkalinity: 1.7
calcium: 450ppm
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0.1
nitrate: 10ppm
I was gone for a few days, and when I came back I was overwhelmed by what I saw. There was green algea all over the place. I saw some the week before I left, but it was mostly gone. The pics were taken this morning. The close up pic of the LR shaped like an "L" used to be white, now its green. And the other rock with the turbo snail on it used to be red. My Reef base is also showing slight signs of green algea, as well as turning a shade of dark brown, and even red in some areas.
The last pic should be hydroid jellyfish all over my glass. The guy at the LFS said they would go away in a few days. I also found some Asterina stars on my glass, but I removed the ones I could see.
I was wondering if that much algea was good? Also, I've been toping off the water from evaporation, but was thinking about doing a 50% water change, as well as changing my 'mechanical filters'. They LFS told me not to change the water, or the filters until the cycle was complete. I'm getting 2 different stories from 2 different people at my LFS about cycling.
I'm confused and would really like some help. Thanks.

 

[dmitry]

It was definitely bad advice to add any livestock (including hermits, snails, etc.) while the tank cycles. They likely won't make it. During cycling algae outbreaks happen - conditions should improve as the water improves. Don't do a water change because you would be kind of negating the cycling process by adding new water. Just let the process take place; it should take a few weeks.
Asterina stars are not a danger to a tank or any livestock.

 

[mcbdz]

If I were you I'd also start cleaning the front and side glass every few days. This will be just part of your routine anyway. Since your cycle is probly on the backside you could stsrt feeding your tank a little food every day

and see if that effects your levels any. It will help build up your bacteria.
You can look at the first thread on this forum and Lion Craz made a sticky with some really good info. There is stuff about cycling in there and it will help you understand it better. You are getting there.

Good Luck

 

[klaeq]

Thx, i will try the 'ghost feeding' to see if that helps. As far as losing my livestock, i've only lost 1 astraea snail during the first few weeks.

 

[mcbdz]

Also, bring you salinity up to 1.025-1.026. This is closer to ocean and better for inverts and corals.

fish don't care as much.

 

[doktorj99]

also don't change the filter...it's the same as changing the water...good luck and keep us posted!

 

[dmitry]

Oh, and about those lights: turn them off! They don't do anything for the cycle and they contribute to algae blooms since algae feed of the light as well. Most people prefer to keep all lights off during a cycle. And long-term you might find that 12 hours of light a day in the tank will also feed algae blooms.

 

[klaeq]

Thx again. I will kill the lights and see what I can do about bringing up the salinity. Not sure how easy the second part is going to be. I get my salt water pre-mixed.

 

[rbrockm1]

how you like'n the tank

 

[klaeq]

It's kinda boring so far. I'm still cycling. LOL. Can't wait to start putting livestock and coral in there though.

 

[klaeq]

So, I think my cycle is done,but I've still got those jelly fish all over my glass. I thought they would die after a day or two, but they are going strong. They are also making my water a little cloudy, but not too bad. I've got the following readings, but I'm not sure if my hydrometer is very accurate. I'm going to the LFS today to buy a refractometer. By the way, the algea is under control again. Thanks for the advice about the lights.

Temp: 80
Salinity: 1.022
PH: 8.0
alkalinity: 1.7-2.8
Calcium: 450 ppm
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0-2.5 (color is kinda between the two)
Is there anything I can do to remove the critters on my glass, or can I put my first clown in there???

 

[kilhullen]

Originally Posted by Klaeq
So, I think my cycle is done,but I've still got those jelly fish all over my glass. I thought they would die after a day or two, but they are going strong. They are also making my water a little cloudy, but not too bad. I've got the following readings, but I'm not sure if my hydrometer is very accurate. I'm going to the LFS today to buy a refractometer. By the way, the algea is under control again. Thanks for the advice about the lights.

Temp: 80
Salinity: 1.022
PH: 8.0
alkalinity: 1.7-2.8
Calcium: 450 ppm
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0-2.5 (color is kinda between the two)
Is there anything I can do to remove the critters on my glass, or can I put my first clown in there???
I have been suggested to (and now do) maintain salinity closer to 1.025-1.028 because I want corals. I might want to bring up your salinity too.
Sorry I don't know what to say about the jellyfish.

 

[klaeq]

Thanks for the help. I took a water sample to my LFS and was surprised to see that my salinity was 1.028. Aparently my hydrometer was wrong.

. I decided is was a good idea to go ahead and buy some green striped mushrooms. Something small and easy to start with. I acclimated them with a slow drip line for about 2 hours. Once the water in the bag matched my tank i was excited to put them in. After about 40 minutes of being in my tank, several of the polyps closed. Is this normal? Will they open back up again, or was my acclimation done incorrectly??

 

[mcbdz]

Your tank is not stable yet, and corals need stable conditions. Keep a close check on your readings and keep a batch of mixed saltwater ready to do a water change when things start to rise. Remember to SLOW DOWN.

You are letting your LFS talk you into stuff to fast. Always reaserch before you by something and know what it needs before you try it. You little critters will have to pay for your impatients.

Check your readings now and post them. Also, what kind of lighting scheduel are you on? What lights?

 

[klaeq]

mcbdz,
Below are my Current readings.
Temp: 81
Salinity: 1.028
PH: 8.0
alkalinity: 1.7-2.8
Calcium: 450 ppm
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0
Tank has been cycling for 5 weeks now. Lights are on for about 8 hours a day(timer). Lights are 2 x 55 watt T5 power compacts (1 watt-liter/4 watt-gallon) 10,000K/Actinic lighting.
As far as buying anything else, I don't plan on it for a few more weeks. I want to make sure that my tank stays level with the small mushrooms that I have in there right now. Below is a pic of the mushrooms that I purchased. Only cost me $13 and some change.
I only plan on adding one small thing every 3-4 weeks, maybe longer in between additions. It all depends on how well my levels stay, and how healthy everything is. I think its going to be well over a year before i have the tank even half stocked with what want.

I've got 5 gallons of pre-mixed salt water for emergencies. Is this still too fast?

 

[mcbdz]

Originally Posted by Klaeq
So, I think my cycle is done,but I've still got those jelly fish all over my glass. I thought they would die after a day or two, but they are going strong. They are also making my water a little cloudy, but not too bad. I've got the following readings, but I'm not sure if my hydrometer is very accurate. I'm going to the LFS today to buy a refractometer. By the way, the algea is under control again. Thanks for the advice about the lights.

Temp: 80
Salinity: 1.022
PH: 8.0
alkalinity: 1.7-2.8
Calcium: 450 ppm
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0-2.5 (color is kinda between the tw
Is there anything I can do to remove the critters on my glass, or can I put my first clown in there???
Did you put your clown in yet?

If not try gost feeding a couple of days first and make sure water remains stable.

Just make sure everything stays stable and usually mushrooms are very hardy and should slowly open up maybe over the next couple of days.

For the hydroid jellies I get them from time to time and clean them off with my magfloat. They will come back, but I just don't like them to be to comfy.

 

[rabbit_72]

I think you are doing just fine. You are not rushing things and realize this is a long process.Good for you!!!

If you haven't bought your refractormeter, definity get one. We had a hydrometer at first and our salinity was waaaayyy off too. Your readins look great. Have fun!!!!

 

[oceanlover]

Klaeg,
You are working hard and showing lots of patience. Congrats and welcome to the boards! You're on your way to being a reefkeeper! Waiting is the hardest part of this hobby. I don't think watching algae grow on rocks is very interesting so its nice you have some mushrooms to watch. Usually when I add a coral to the aquarium, it shrinks up a bit for anywhere from an hour to several days. But within a few days it should be fine.
What supercomputer center are you at? I know there are just a few in the country.
OceanLover

 

[spanko]

Looks good, shrooms will be okay, how about a CUC you have that in yet?

 

[klaeq]

Thanks for the help everyone, I really appreciate it.
Got my refractometer this morning. Its a Milwaukee MR100ATC. Salinity is reading a little lower today than what the LFS showed.
Salinity: 1.024
Other than that, all my readings are still good, no major changes from the last readings. My mushrooms have opened up.

. Below are pics of the mushrooms I took this morning. I will continue to ghost feed and watch my levels.
My CUC is still doing good. Have about 18 reef crabs (some of which havea nice white color and blue eyes, rest are red or brown). I would take some pics, but the little guys dont always stay in the open. I have 3 turbo snails and 2 aestrea snails. I started with 3 but lost one the first 2 days in the tank.
I was looking around the boards and saw this thread:
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=272061
Definately something I wanna try next (if I win the lotto or inherit some kind of fortune. )
Oceanlover, I'm not exactly sure what your asking me, but I live in Lewisville, just north of Dallas.
Thanks again for all the help guys. I will keep you posted on my progress.