test kits

[bigblue23]

i have recently put up a 29 gallon aquairium and planning on going reef with the tank. I have purchased test kits for ammonia, nitrites nitrates and for the ph. So far after about a week of being set up all of the tests have been good except that the ammonia has stayed at 1.0. The tank has equipment consisting of whispur p 5 filter two powerheads and 15 lbs of live rock and about 5 lbs of crushed coral. I know live sand is better but no place around here sells it. My main questions are how can i lowere the ammonia even after using stress zyme and ammo lock-2. Also should i consider getting the test kits for phosphates, calcium, and alkalinity.
p.s. planning on getting a protein skimmer.

 

[elan]

First off, a 29 gallon is somewhat small for a reef tank. the downside is that your water will fluctuate much more quickly than a larger tank. the upside is that it will cost you much less to setup what you want. you may even consider reading up on Nano systems for your tank.
what did you introduce in your tank to start the ammonia? was it just the live rock?? you dont want to do anything to lower the ammonia. after a few to several weeks, your live rock will have built up the bacteria that with process the ammonia and nitrite. the nitrate will have to be removed with waterchanges, or if you put in a DSB (deep sand bed), it will help convert the nitrate as well. I would not add anything to your tank that causes the ammonia to go down.. let your tank build up its own filtration...
if you are going to go reef, you should strongly consider going with a dSB using LS. (4-6 inches)... you can buy it online!!! they even sell it on this site. going with a DSB has many benefits... there have been numerous posts regarding DSBs.
you can wait on all the other test kits... phosphate could be useful if you are using water other than RO/DI (type of water filtration).. If you are using tap water, there is a good chace you have phosphate in it.. among other things. calcium, and alkalinity will be usefull once your tank is established and you are starting to add corals.

 

[bigblue23]

thx for the help. but is it a must that i go with the sand bed because in my opinion cc looks better than sand.

 

[blueeyes68]

Originally posted by bigblue23
thx for the help. but is it a must that i go with the sand bed because in my opinion cc looks better than sand.
Hi Bigblue23,
I don't know about cc looking betting than sand. IMO I think sand is much nicer looking... We're still in the reseach stages of our 90 gal tank, but I do know that we are going with a DSB . We already purchased 10 bags of southdown which will seed with LS. I do know that people on here spoke about the con's of crush coral. I'm sure if you do a search on here you will find many posts about CC Vs LS...Good luck with your thank

 

[jarvis]

You got the right idea on test kits. I wouldnt add the stress zyme. I would also stop using the amonnia lock. I isnt aiding in the growth of bacteria. Also I recall reading a post of someone that added amonnia lock when he was doing water changes to condition tap water. He Had a difficult time with keeping water parameters stable. He got very slight reading of amonia and nitrite for the next 2days after the water change. hum.........I thought water changes were supposed to be benifital. He stoped using it and it corrected the problem. I would look into DSB and the benifits vs crushed coral, but to each his own.

 

[elan]

no, its not a must... and you are free to do with your tank and your money as you please....
..... but do a search on cc v ls and count the number of people who started with cc and then wanted to go though the pain of taking everything out of their tank, to end up with a dsb....... the sooner you do it, the better.... when your tank is established, and you have lots of money in it due to livestock... and you want to switch... it may be deadly to your livestock....
you will probably get sick of cleaning your cc from all the junk that will get caught up there.... thats the biggest benefit in my opinion... you dont clean a dsb.. you let it be... and it will take care of itself......

 

[bigblue23]

bump

 

[goldrush]

Don't forget the most important reason for LS as oppossed to CC.The critters that clean it can't navigate as quickly and efficiently through CC as they can through sand.