Can I get an opinion on if my tank is ready?

Hello

I've received a new tank, the temperature, filter, and salinity are all ok. I've had live rock in for a couple of days and before it was in it came directly from a well established tank. I've still got a couple of days to wait for my fish, but does anybody think this I close to being ready?
What other tests do I need to perform to check if it's ready?

 

This sounds like it belongs in the saltwater beginners section

 

Oops sorry!

 

Hi, I'm glad you're enjoying Fishlore. If you could be so kind, please complete all of your aquarium info. Thanks

The only way to know if your tank is ready is to monitor the nitrogen cycle. That means monitoring ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Chances are, given your rock is from an established tank, that this will be almost instant. HOWEVER, depending on how much rock you have, and what sort of bio-load you plan on keeping, you may or may not be ready.

Your tank will be ready for some but not all fish, when your tank reaches 0 ammonia, and 0 nitrites, with some nitrates.

How long have you been running this tank? And have you been feeding anything to keep the bacteria alive?

 

Thanks for the reply, I love this site because of all the help I get from people who have had experience in fish, not just people who sell them.

I haven't tested for any of that. Is this something that I test for continuously or just in the initial stages? Also, what other tests should I be doing regularly?

I have about 5 kg of live rock in there, and another 2kg and a clownfish to transfer in when everything is ready. I do plan on getting more rock in a few weeks time, that was just all that is available to me right now. And I only plan on keeping minimal fish in there for the first couple of months..

The tank itsel has been running for a few days now. What type of food should I be feeding the bacteria?

 

I haven't tested for any of that. Is this something that I test for continuously or just in the initial stages? Also, what other tests should I be doing regularly?

Have a read of the the link in my signature "Know the Nitrogen Cycle", it will explain all about ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. With a new tank, you want to test for ammonia and nitrite until the tank cycles, once both are at 0, you don't need to test again. Save that when you add fish, it is worth testing ammonia to ensure your beneficial bacteria is keeping up with the increased bio-load. Nitrates are tested weekly, and should be kept below 10ppm in a FOWLR.

I have about 5 kg of live rock in there, and another 2kg and a clownfish to transfer in when everything is ready. I do plan on getting more rock in a few weeks time, that was just all that is available to me right now. And I only plan on keeping minimal fish in there for the first couple of months..

I would add all the Live Rock and let the tank cycle. The reason being that as you add live rock, you run the risk of putting the tank into a mini-cycle due to more live rock die-off.

The tank itsel has been running for a few days now. What type of food should I be feeding the bacteria?

Fish food is generally enough to keep the bacteria fed while the tank cycles. That said, if you add more live rock now, the live rock die-off will keep the cycle.

Have a read of the stickies in the Saltwater beginners forum, they will cover many of the questions you have about your new setup

 

Thank you so much! I'll have a read of the beginners stuff. My clownfish and 2kg of live rock are currently set up in a smaller tank. Are you suggesting move all the rock out of that tank into the new one now? Even if the fish itself won't move into the new tank for at least a few days?

 

If your 2kg is already fully cycled, then no, you don't need to move it. You can just transfer when you're ready.

I was referring to any new live rock that you might want to purchase. Because it's an unknown, you would want to add that first.

 

Ah I see. So more out of curiosity, would it be a good idea if I ever need/want to add more rock, to set up the smaller tank with water, filter, heater, etc and cycle the new live rock and that before transferring to main tank?

 

That's what many people do