What DID I get myself into?!?!?!

[turtle66]

That is the question I'm asking myself today...yes, I'm a complete newbie.

So, my hubby and I just purchased our first (his second) SWF tank...set it up this past weekend (and truthfully, I LOVE it

) - so far...
First, I must say I am SOOOOOOOO thankful we stumbled across this site as it has been a treasure-trove of information - THANK YOU ALL!!!!

This is our current setup:
65 gal AGA tank
Megaflow sump w/ bio-balls
Coralife Super Skimmer 65
a small blue noisy pump
and a couple of powerheads
40 lbs LR
60 lbs LS
Question is this: How long should it take for our levels to spike? We set the tank up on Saturday and all the levels have remained pretty constant...
Amm - 0 ppm
Trate - 0
Trite - 0
Alk - 300
pH - 7.8
Temp stays around 78
Is this normal? Should we add anything or just sit and wait???

I don't want to rush things, just make sure this is normal.....
Thank you ALL!!!

 

[yerboy]

throw a raw shrimp in there and that should get your cycle going. reason is your gonna need something to produce ammonia to start your cycle.

 

[puffer32]

I always throw in a raw cocktail shrimp to hasten my cycle, otherwise it can take over a month to cycle. Remember though, patience is required for this hobby

It maybe hard to take it slow, but it will pay off in the long run. Keep us posted on your progress

 

[bpaul1201]

i would also had a bit more live rock about 20-30lbs more that way you have it all cycled together rather then adding more later and having a mini cycle which could be harmful to the tank inhabitants!
i didnt have much of a cycle cuz all my stuff ls and lr were all old stuff about 2 yrs old! but good luck and take it slow!

 

[reefreak29]

and dont get frustrated , in new tanks your going to experience waves of different algaes

 

[rykna]

Welcome aboard the SWF!
his is our current setup:
65 gal AGA tank
Megaflow sump w/ bio-balls
Coralife Super Skimmer 65
a small blue noisy pump
and a couple of powerheads
40 lbs LR
60 lbs LS
You have aprox 2 mths of cycling to do. Use search to find useful threads and posts.

And ask away

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by reefreak29
and dont get frustrated , in new tanks your going to experience waves of different algaes
Dido!!!
First comes the red slime.....
then the green slime...
then the macro algae will begin to take over and the firs 2 nusciance algaes will disappear.
Next the "clean up crew", as I call em, the amphipods and cocepods will start to multiply. They make tastey meals for many fish and inverts.
Now you're getting to the fun part.

 

[turtle66]

Sounds good...will do and keep you all informed. Hopefully we can get some pics up soon. I am excited about it, that's for sure...

but patience is the key. And I thought about adding some more live rock at this point so I'll do that also and get it out of the way. We have a 9yr old daughter who's very excited about it as well. Has already picked out her clownfish and is learning along with us.

Thanks again for ALL of your help, and expect more questions as we go along (just warning ya in advance)

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by turtle66
Thanks again for ALL of your help, and expect more questions as we go along (just warning ya in advance)

no worries!!! Questions, questions...there is no such thing as to many questions, especially in this hobby.

 

[1journeyman]

Don't throw a whole raw shrimp into a 65 gallon. Use part of it or use uncured (shipped) live rock.
Test for ammonia and do water changes as needed to keep it below 1.0 during the cycle.

 

[trainfever]

YOu can actually just throw a little fish food into the tank to get the cycle going. Be patient, that is the number one thing causing problems in this hobby. The more patient you are, the better your tank will turn out.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by trainfever
YOu can actually just throw a little fish food into the tank to get the cycle going. Be patient, that is the number one thing causing problems in this hobby. The more patient you are, the better your tank will turn out.
True, but then you need to "ghost" feed every few days to feed the ammonia eating bacteria.

 

[reefkprz]

the only things that happens fast in this hobby, is tank crashes and wallet emptying. patience is key.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by reefkprZ
the only things that happens fast in this hobby, is tank crashes and wallet emptying. patience is key.
My wallet isn't empty...a bunch of moths moved in