Still new and need advice

[claire7275]

Hi, I recently moved a tank from about 3 hrs away--Kept all LR in tank water and aerrated. The tank (90g)has been set up for 11 days (using mostly the water from the original setup and about 100lbs of cured LR (none of which seems to smell bad)).
Some facts:
Salinity/SG: 1.028 (Isn't that high?)
Ammonia: 0--since I set up tank
Nitrites: 0--since I set up tank
Nitrates: 50 (Isn't that high?) since set up
pH: 8.6 (Isn't that high?)
Moving 950 gph
Lighting is pretty lame (that will change soon)
There are little feather dusters, small sponges, some pieces of mushrooms, and a piece of coral from the original tank that seem to be doing OK
I guess the real question is--how do I confirm the tank has cycled? I have read a little on "ghost feeding", but not enough detail. How long after you feed the tank would the ammonia spike? How long do you feed......?
Also, Should I just leave the tank alone for a while and see what happens with the salinty, pH, and trates?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying not to rush, but would like to start adding corals in late May (going on a major shopping spree for my birthday!!!!!)
Thanks so much for any help and have a great day!!!!!
Claire

 

[garnet13aj]

The salinity is a bit too high. Gradually add pure water (no salt added) until it goes down to somewhere between 1.022 and 1.026. Make sure your topping the tank off with pure water every few days so the level of the water stays the same, this will keep the salinity from creeping up.
The levels look good at the moment, but I would wait another week and see if they start creeping up. If they do, keep doing water changes until the fall back down to zero.
I'm not sure how much you've read so far, but if you are looking for a book to read while you are waiting, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner is a good place to start.
good luck!

 

[claire7275]

Thanks garnet. I am topping off with RO water daily. I don't have a cover on the tank, so evaporation is high. I think I add close to a gallon a day to the sump. The salt level has actually dropped some. What about the high pH? lfs says he has a pH reducer, but he suggested to wait it out.
Still curious about ghost feeding--what exactly will that tell me and how long should I do it.
Anyone else with suggestions!!!!
Thanks
Claire

 

[aztec reef]

Don't do anything. Cycle takes 3-6weeks, you just ghost feed for a few days up to a week then just leave it alone. Cycle will start when you get ammonia, then you'll get nitrites and then Nitrates by this time your tank should be cycle.(when ammonia goes back 0)by it self.
Don't do water changes until Ammonia is at 0. Althoug you could do a water change if ammonia wants to go above 1.0 to savage some beneficial critters in LR.

 

[claire7275]

I guess I still don't understand. Is it possible that I went through a mini cycle already (being that the rock had been in an established tank for 2 years and that I used alot of the same water the rock was in to fill the tank)? Will ghost feeding cause another cycle--if the tank has already cycled?--or will the ghost feeding have no effect on parameters if the tank has cycled?
Please help!!! :help:
Thanks
Claire

 

[1journeyman]

Adding top off water will not lower salinity. Salt doesn't evaporate. As your tank water evaporates your salinity will be climbing...
To lower salinity take out some water and add RO/DI water. Do this slowly so that you lower the salinity over several days.
Yes, chances are your tank is fine. Your nitrite increase is probably due to detritus being stirred up in the move. Add a bit of fish food every couple of days for a week or so and watch for ammonia. If none shows up and your Nitrite falls to 0.0 you are ok.

 

[claire7275]

Thank you 1journeyman. Would you suggest 5 gallons a day? every other day? There is nothing in there but the ls, lr and a piece of coral that survived a week at the bottom of a tub filled with extra but aerated lr--so I really won't be disturbing much.
Thanks again,
Claire

 

[1journeyman]

I'd say more like 2 gallons a day.
How are you testing for salinity?

 

[claire7275]

Ok great 2 gallons it is--should I worry about the temp of the water I use?--Unfortunately I have not invested in a refractometer yet, I am using a hydrometer right now. I also use it in my 24g Aquapod and the level is much lower and stable at 1.023. That is one of the next things I plan to buy. Is there a particular one that you recommend?
I am one of those people that jump in quick. My 24g has only been running about 3 months, but I know I moved too quickly in the beginning. I am taking my time with this one and making sure it is right before I start adding livestock. Any advice that you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated.
I have to get up early for work, but I will be checking my post tomorrow afternoon. Again thanks for the advice!!!!!!
Claire

 

[1journeyman]

Claire, they sell one here for $39.99

Invest in one as soon as possible. Swing arms can really lead you astray. Try taking some water to a lfs and have them test it to be sure you are in fact correct in your current readings.
Room temp water is always good.
Advice? Sounds like you are on the right track. Decide now what kind of tank you want. Reef, fish, etc. Decide what type of substrate you want (I like deep sand beds, but do research for yourself.)
If you go with a sand bed, while you are cycling it order some of the live sand from here. Great fresh stuff, and you'll import all sorts of beneficial critters for your tank.

 

[claire7275]

Hope you are still out there 1journeyman. I definately want a reef tank. The substrate is already in. I used sand from the established tank and added 2 bags of ls from a lfs. I put that in then same day i put the rock in (4/12/07)
Everything seemed to travel well during the move. Everything was in tank water and I was able to use alot of the water. Something else I forgot to mention--I have been adding "Stability" as directed on the bottle since the 13th.
I ghost fed the tank this morning and am planning on changing out the 2 gallons in a few minutes.
Thanks for all your help, please keep an eye out for me as I know I will have many more questions as I progress.

 

[reefkprz]

If your going to go reef then you want your Specific gravity 1.024-1.026 for the sake of your inverts. dont go as low as 1.022 thats too low for snails and crabs and brittle stars as well as borderline for corals. 1.024 to 1.026 is optimum for a reef.
Oh yeah quit adding stability let your tank balance out naturally.

 

[reefkprz]

when you do water changes you want to do about 15-20% at a time 2 gallons is only like 4point something percent. If your just trying to lower your salinity remove some tank water and add straight RO water. where you dont have any animals yet there are no worries about osmotic shock.

 

[claire7275]

Hi reef--thanks for the info. All I did today was take out 2 gallons of saltwater and replaced it with RO--not truly a water change. I have stopped with Stability and am just going to keep an eye on the salinity and pH (mentioned above). What is your opinion about the ghost feeding?
I love this site and am looking forward to any advice ya'll can give.
Thanks,
Claire