Tropical Fish and Aquarium Information

Go Back   Fish Lore Tropical Fish and Aquarium Forum > Saltwater Aquarium Fish and Reef Tank Forum > More Saltwater Aquarium Topics > Water Parameters

Water Parameters Forum for saltwater water parameter topics.

 

Online Fish Stores: Drsfostersmith.com | BigAlsOnline.com | PetSmart.com | LiveAquaria.com


Aquarium Forum
General
Welcome To FishLore
Using the Forum
General Discussion
Members Fish Tanks
Photos and Videos
Member Photos
Member Videos
Freshwater Aquarium Forum
Freshwater Beginners
Freshwater Equipment
More Freshwater Topics
Freshwater Fish & Inverts
Ponds
Saltwater Aquarium Forum
Saltwater Beginners
Saltwater Equipment
More Saltwater Topics
Saltwater Fish & Inverts
Member Blogs
Member Blogs
Misc. Topics
Reviews
Aquarium Fish Clubs
Buy, Sell, Trade
Fish Profiles
Freshwater Fish
Saltwater Fish
Fish Forum Archives
Closed Thread
 
Fish Forum Thread Tools
Old February 21st, 2008  
Fish Newbie
 
New tank when to do a 1st time water change

I have recently setup a 125 gallon fish only tank with 80 pounds of live rock.
It has been up for 2 days now and i have already needed to add about 6 gallons of water due to evaporation. Is this normal or does it seem like alot. The heater is set at 77 degrees. As for adding the water, I mixed up 5 gallons in a bucket added some conditioner, waited about ten minutes and poured it into the filter. Is this the normal procedure or did I make a major mistake??
Question 2 I realize the tank is cycling and I need to be patient. Am i supposed to do a 20% water change this weekend which would have had the tank up for 5 days?? As always any help would be greatly appreciated

Dave
dpotash is offline  
Old February 21st, 2008  
Fish Mentor
 
Hi, doptash, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

This is posted under Freshwater, you will get more help for your saltwater tank if you post there......Since I am NOT SW, the only help I can give is to suggest you check out the articles at the top of this page under "ARTICLES" in the blue bar. There are set up articles on Saltwater, and the Nitrogen Cycle both of which will help you out. Good Luck and I know others here will help you out! I took a break in the middle of this post, woops...
susitna-flower is offline  
Old February 21st, 2008  
Moderator
 
Sounds normal...a 125 has a lot of surface area for evaporation to occur. When topping off from evaporation, do not add salt mix...just top off with conditioned fresh water, or fresh RO water. This is because evaporation removes water only...the salt stays in the tank. Therefore your SG will tend to increase as water evaporates. Topping off with fresh water counteracts that effect and keeps your SG in line.
sgould is offline  
Old February 22nd, 2008  
Moderator
 
No water changes during the cycle. This will prolong the cycle. The only exception to this rule is when you cycle with fish, and the ammonia or nitrite levels are too high. It's better to save the fish and prolong the process !

Are you topping off with RO/DI or tap water ?
agsansoo is offline  
Old February 22nd, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
I agree with sgould and agsansoo, only top off with fresh water, RO/DI is the best. 3g a day sound like a lot.
Depending on how much die off you get on the live rock, you may want to do a gravel syphon in a week and just top of with a fresh mix ( mix new water for 24hrs )
Peterpiper is offline  
Old February 25th, 2008  
Fish Addict
 
You should do your first water change AFTER your tank has cycled (be it a week, a month, whatever). Keep with the top offs, my 90 (with 33 sump) lost about 2 or 3 gallons a day until I added the glass top. Just keep checking your parameters and you'll be able to tell when the cycle is complete. As it was mentioned earlier, doing a water change now will only prolong the cycle, so, even though it REALLY sucks just staring at a tank with some rock, it's well worth it in the end
Rbacchiega is offline  
Old February 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
I don't have any saltwater right now, but sounds like your covered.
Narcicius is offline  
Old February 25th, 2008  
Fish Newbie
 
Thanks

Thanks to all that responded. Fortunatelly business is good right now so I dont have time to be home and stare at an empty tank. But patience is something I have learned also I dont feel like killing fish just because I couldnt wait.
dpotash is offline  
Old February 26th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
Dpotash, you'll make a great owner to whatever you decide to get, judging from the last statement you have overcome one of the biggest difficulties of owning a tank. So, when you get past that point the hardest part is over.
Narcicius is offline  
Old February 26th, 2008  
Fish Addict
 
^ agreed!
Rbacchiega is offline  
Closed Thread

Fish Forum Thread Tools

Fun Fish and Aquarium Games!
Fish Tycoon
Fish Tycoon
Insaniquarium - Insane Aquarium
Insaniquarium
Insane Aquarium
Jenny's Fish Shop
Jenny's
Fish Shop

Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads
Thread Fish Forum
Nitrates still after 1st water change of cycled tank Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle
how get water change water to temp before adding to tank? Water Changes
Water Change Hurt My Tank??? Freshwater Beginners Archive
Time to change filter? 1st time... Freshwater Aquarium Filter Archive
TIME FOR WATER CHANGE - NEPTUNE ASKS FOR ASSISTANCE?? Betta Archive



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5 © 2008, Crawlability, Inc.
© 2008 FishLore.com - Aquarium Fish Information