Water Levels

sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
Ok, so my water levels seem like they've been sitting at .25 ammonia, 8.2 or 8.4 pH, 0 Nitrate, and 0 Nitrite. I've added Macro Algae, what else do I need to do to get my ammonia to clear out? Is it bad to put CUC in right now because I'm starting to get some green on the sand bed, the brown is still on the rocks and green is starting to form... I'd like some guys in there to clean this tank up ASAP!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/380663/water-levels#post_3313619
Ok, so my water levels seem like they've been sitting at .25 ammonia, 8.2 or 8.4 pH, 0 Nitrate, and 0 Nitrite. I've added Macro Algae, what else do I need to do to get my ammonia to clear out? Is it bad to put CUC in right now because I'm starting to get some green on the sand bed, the brown is still on the rocks and green is starting to form... I'd like some guys in there to clean this tank up ASAP!


 
TIME...Take out the macro. it helps with phosphates not ammonia. Anyway you want the ammonia then it converts to nitrites, then nitrates. That's a cycle. Put a chunk of shrimp in there to speed things up. The ammonia spikes, then drops to 0, then nitrites spike and go to 0, then you get nitrates the last stage....do water changes to be rid of those.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
My ammonia has already spiked. It was at 4 possibly even 6. I shouldn't really have a spike though since a great amount of rock I added was live rock. I also added live sand so the ammonia shouldn't really spike. The only reason I can imagine it did would be from some of the die off from the dead rock and then from some of the sponge that was exposed to air during the trasportation. Other than that, the spike should and did only last for a short period.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Agreed, you want to let the ammonia run it's course, thats the best thing you can do for the tank so don't try to remove it with anything. Have you done any water changes yet? You're probably about ready for one. And no the chaeto is not there for the ammonia, it's there to consume the end result of the ammonia.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/380663/water-levels#post_3313635
Agreed, you want to let the ammonia run it's course, thats the best thing you can do for the tank so don't try to remove it with anything. Have you done any water changes yet? You're probably about ready for one. And no the chaeto is not there for the ammonia, it's there to consume the end result of the ammonia.
Zero water changes done so far. You think I should do one? How much? 20%... I have a 125 so that would be 25 gallons worth. How would I go about doing these water changes also? Do I just dump 25 gallons worth and then add the 25 gallons, or do I dump 5 gallons, add 5 until 25 gallons have been swapped out?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Do you have a mixing container? A mixing container is really the best way to do it. Alot of folks here (including myself) like to use something like a Brute trash can. Something that you can mix up 20% worth of water in and let it mix for about 24 hours before you add it to the tank.
 
However for now, since you don't have anything in there yet...you can probably just take out 20% worth and then mix up some 5g buckets and dump them in. I'd highly recommend getting yourself a mixing container for future use once you've added fish and inverts to your tank, and ESPECIALLY once you've added corals. This way you can mix the water, warm it up to the tank temp with a heater and give the salt proper time for the chemical changes to take place before you add it to the tank. Salt mixes best in cool water, so I let it mix for about a day and then warm it up to tank temp.
 
My mixing container, I think I've showed you before...a trash can (never been used for anything but this purpose ofcorse), a powerhead for mixing with a hose connected to it which also allows me to pump the water from the can to the tank.
 
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
Ugh, another powerhead? How strong of a powerhead should I get? Also, if I use a pump similar to how yours is how strong of a pump would I need?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/380663/water-levels#post_3313654
Ugh, another powerhead? How strong of a powerhead should I get? Also, if I use a pump similar to how yours is how strong of a pump would I need?
The pump/powerhead is the same thing. $15 or $20 (i don't remember which) at ***** for a 250gph powerhead. That's all you need, and I just have a cheap 150W heater. Well worth the investment. The most expensive thing was the can. People use cheaper ones but I've never heard of a Brute can cracking or falling apart on anyone. $35 for the 32gallon that I got. I'll probably upgrade to the bigger one soon though.
 
"Ugh" <--- get used to the word, my friend!
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL.....My 44G brute was the best purchase I ever made...:)
 
When I mix 40G's for the 225G I mix it with a CA3000 PUMP....ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE 2 EXTRA....I use the other CA 3000 to take the water from the DT...and also to return it....I keep 25 feet of hose on it at all times (lazy) plus why not if I have two

 
When I mix water for the 10G, 54G, and 29G I use a maxijet 1200 (cause I have an extra )
 
SPARTY....the shopping list is ENDLESS with this hobby
 
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
I really like that setup 2Q. I have the spare pump and never thought about using that to get the water from my tub into the tank. I have been using a pourable mixing bowl to transfer the water. Got the water all over the floor and realized I needed to do it a different way. Looks like I need to go and get some hose.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380663/water-levels#post_3313752
I really like that setup 2Q. I have the spare pump and never thought about using that to get the water from my tub into the tank. I have been using a pourable mixing bowl to transfer the water. Got the water all over the floor and realized I needed to do it a different way. Looks like I need to go and get some hose.
One of the best purchases you will ever make
 
I took my pump with me to the hardware store and had the fittings and everything fitted there.....I hate going back...LOL
 
I put one end of the hose in my laundry drain when I am emptying......I just marked the tank the first time I measured how many gallons were at what spot
 
permanent marker works great
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/380663/water-levels#post_3313752
I really like that setup 2Q. I have the spare pump and never thought about using that to get the water from my tub into the tank. I have been using a pourable mixing bowl to transfer the water. Got the water all over the floor and realized I needed to do it a different way. Looks like I need to go and get some hose.
Yeah it's pretty easy. I just set the can up next to the tank like a day or two before a water change. I let the pump run and mix the salt for about 24 hours and then the pvc deal just hangs right on the tank to fill it up. I just have a cheap pump on there but if you have a descent size one than you can set up your tub in a more permanant location and just run a long hose to reach the tank.
 
L

lilredwuck

Guest
I bought a 15 gallon rubbermaid tote for $3, had a maxijet laying around, had bought a maxijet upgrade kit (2100pgh) that I used for mixing it, a cheap thermometer I had laying around, and a rio 800 for pumping it into the tank. You'll be buying lots of salt too with your purchases. Don't forget the RODI water as well.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
My levels are slowly dropping! My ammonia is under .25 but still above 0... I'm assuming after the weekend I'll be able to start adding CUC!
Also the brown is now starting to turn to green. I'm assuming that's good and that'll give the CUC a full stomach!
 
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