Newb To Saltwater Tank Build

[xiholdtruex]

Day 8 of cycle I have .50 ammonia and still at 5ppm nitrite redosed to 2ppm. To top off water I found bottled distilled water that is ozonated do you think it would be ok to top off the tank?

 

[xiholdtruex]

Day 9 of the cycle, I am at .50 ppm ammonia, 5 ppm nitrite, and 160 ppm Nitrate should I keep dosing ammonia yp to 2ppm or should I let the cycle play out for a few days then recheck and redose? or let the cycle play out then redose to 2ppm and check how long it takes to process?

 

[stella1979]

I haven't experienced this, but I've read and believe that very high nitrites and/or nitrates can stall a cycle. If I were in your place, I'd do a water change to get those levels down before dosing ammonia again. When cycling, I only do water changes if nitrites are over 4ppm or nitrates are over 100ppm.

No idea about ozonated water... distilled is good though.

 

[xiholdtruex]

so I did a 60% wc and retested down to .25 ammonia , 2.0 ppm nitrite and 20ppm nitrate.Checked water this morning at 0 ammonia ,0ppm nitrite and 20ppm nitrate. redosing 2ppm and rechecking in 24 hours

 

[xiholdtruex]

day 11 checked water this morning ammonia is at 0ppm nitrite is up to 1ppm. seems to me the nitrifying bacteria is still building. will update if any change

 

[xiholdtruex]

Day 14 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 80 nitrate. It takes 48hrs to process 2ppm ammonia. How quickly should it be processed to know once the cycle is complete?

 

[stella1979]

You're almost there. Wait for it ammonia to cycle all the way through to nitrates in 24 hours and then you'll be cycled. Nitrates being very high, like over 100, have been reported to stall a cycle. I've not experienced this, but I do water changes during a cycle only if nitrites are over 4, or nitrates are over 100.

 

[xiholdtruex]

You're almost there. Wait for it ammonia to cycle all the way through to nitrates in 24 hours and then you'll be cycled. Nitrates being very high, like over 100, have been reported to stall a cycle. I've not experienced this, but I do water changes during a cycle only if nitrites are over 4, or nitrates are over 100.

yep, just did a 50% wc to drop nitrates again today. I had to resist buying some stock when I went to VIP today to get some more water lol its so tempting. once cycle is complete I'm going to do a big wc prior to stocking anything to keep the nitrates low with 20% weekly wcs. haven't had any evaporation issues at all, water is not droping at all with the lid on and salinity is 35 ppt which had me skepticle, ended up buying calibration fluid and everything is good. haven't been this excited for a tank in a while.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Day 25 of cycle keeps taking 48 hours to process from 2 ppm to nitrate, I keep have these wild swings in nitrate from 20ppm up to 160ppm in 24-48 hours. Contacted Dr Tims Aquatics and informed them of my issues and how I was cycling with there ammonia, they informed me that it was from my live sand leaching ammonia from organics in the sand and to do a water change and take a few readings for a few days to keep under observation and not to redose. Has anyone had this happen before with caribseasand?
Brown Diatom algae is beggining to show up now also.

 

[stella1979]

I cycled with Caribsea live sand, BioSpira, dry rock and dollar store ammonia. I didn't have wild nitrate swings, but may have done a water change or two when nitrates did get high. I'm thinking there may still be some user error involved here...

My cycle took 9 days. Bottled bacteria and live sand worked in this case. Diatoms started showing up about a month in.

 

[xiholdtruex]

I cycled with Caribsea live sand, BioSpira, dry rock and dollar store ammonia. I didn't have wild nitrate swings, but may have done a water change or two when nitrates did get high. I'm thinking there may still be some user error involved here...

My cycle took 9 days. Bottled bacteria and live sand worked in this case. Diatoms started showing up about a month in.

LOL I tested different water with same test kit and clean water was giving me a good reading lol I'm about to buy a bottle of Dr tims one and done lol, Ive come this far so I'm going to keep a eye on it for a few more days before taking any plunge patience I keep telling myself lol

 

[stella1979]

I'll say, every cycle is different and I've had my share of impatience. I've had good luck and bad with bottled bacteria, and let's not forget it took me many months to cycle the 5 gallon qt the goby and shrimp are currently in.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Yep that is true took me 3 months to cycle my 10 gallon fw tank and 2 weeks to do my 29 gallon its all variable. Thinking of gettingvmy clean up crew soon. Per Dr tims theybsay for the small bio load I plan to have and the readings I have been giving them the tank is cycled.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Went by Vip reef today and I picked up my clean up crew a pair of small hermits and Trochus Snails aka flipers. droped them in the tank and they went to town on the rocks very excited to watch them clean lol picked the guy at Vip reefs head and he informed me he never cycled the 65g RFA tank and its been running ever sense just set it up and threw them in. I have decided I'm going to go with mostly RFAs with some odd and ends corals, 2 porcelin crabs, and 1 clown fish. They were out of small clowns so did not pick one up. took a few shots of there RFA holding tank. I'm excited. should I introduce pods into the tank or do they naturally come as hitchhikers?

 

[stella1979]

Awww, I love looking at all the baby RFA's there... it's been a while for me and the last time the holding tank was nearly empty. Good to see it well stocked again. I wonder what their method is for moving babies out of the garden display? Moving RFA's is a pain!

 

[xiholdtruex]

Awww, I love looking at all the baby RFA's there... it's been a while for me and the last time the holding tank was nearly empty. Good to see it well stocked again. I wonder what their method is for moving babies out of the garden display? Moving RFA's is a pain!

I never realized it was a RFA tank until I asked today and he was like really lol
Do they have babies like little RFAs or do they split ? Another thing he was telling me was they run copper and a antibacterial in all the display tanks to prevent all disease and pests kinda like a permanent qt, they were drip acclimating a ton of fish but no baby clowns till next week. The porcelin crabs were running for 13$ and the mandarin gobys captive raised for 18$ I almost bought one I love mandarins but would have had to buy pods to supplement him. He was telling me also that they noticed when they started using sea water that all there corals were popping so much better but he had no kne thing to contribute other than you can't beat natural

 

[stella1979]

Hmmm, that's got me wondering... like, if you factored in all the costs. Say for buying sea water from them, you'd have to account for gas and the cost of the water, and perhaps testing I suppose. For mixing water, the total cost would have to include the salt of course, but also the water, including waste produced by the RO/DI unit, as well as electricity for mixing and heat.... though you'd probably have to heat purchased water too. Anyhow, the mind is wandering about which method is cheaper. I'd definitely call mixing your own water easier, just to avoid traffic! And so I can start the process in my PJ's while having some coffee.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Hmmm, that's got me wondering... like, if you factored in all the costs. Say for buying sea water from them, you'd have to account for gas and the cost of the water, and perhaps testing I suppose. For mixing water, the total cost would have to include the salt of course, but also the water, including waste produced by the RO/DI unit, as well as electricity for mixing and heat.... though you'd probably have to heat purchased water too. Anyhow, the mind is wandering about which method is cheaper. I'd definitely call mixing your own water easier, just to avoid traffic! And so I can start the process in my PJ's while having some coffee.

I would have to have two tanks side by side to see if sea water really makes such a difference, I think with nano tanks its worth just buying 10 gallon a month for water changes but for bigger tanks 20+ I think its worth doing it yourself. I like going tl see the corals and fishies lol and picking there brains. I think it also builds rapport over time that they see you consistently and you see other reefers at the stores. Unfortunatly down here we don't seem to have a big fish community

 

[thesoulpatch]

I go into my lfs so often I got 75$ knocked off a coral once in order for me to buy it. She said she'll make the money back from me next week.. She laughed, I laughed, my wallet cried.

 

[stella1979]

I wish I could go to the LFS by myself!

 

[xiholdtruex]

I wish I could go to the LFS by myself!

Lol when you have kids and a spouse that goes out the window lol my sons always like NEMO or DORY even though its not even a blue tang lol it is a clown fish though. Today he was looking at the tank and he was calling the hermits snails, I tell him there small crabs and hes like crabs? And then he goes Little CRABS!! Lol

 

[xiholdtruex]

I can't wait to get some porcelin crabs these little inverts are keeping me entertained

 

[xiholdtruex]

Is it normal for trochus snails to come out and in of the tank? on my fresh water nerites do it all the time but this is how I found my trochus snails this morning. on the inside of the lid , water parameters are solid 0ppm ammonia 0ppm nitrite and 5ppm nitrate salinity is at 35 ppt 1.026 sg

 

[stella1979]

I've found my trochus on the edge before... specifically, right on the outflow of my HOB. I've not seen them take it further, or into any dry area, but I don't think your experience is unusual. Looks like he's still keeping his little snail body wet.

 

[xiholdtruex]

I've found my trochus on the edge before... specifically, right on the outflow of my HOB. I've not seen them take it further, or into any dry area, but I don't think your experience is unusual. Looks like he's still keeping his little snail body wet.

yah my nerites do it in my fwtank all the time, even had a few climb out and fall -.- tank ran out of algae and never noticed and he died
I changed the flow on power head to half the flow was all over the place.

 

[xiholdtruex]

What salinity do you guys and gals recommend keeping the tank at? At the moment it is at 1.026 and 35ppt which is sea water. The water I'm using is sea water from Vip reef sourced from the ocean.Never had any evaporation with the lid on so it shouldnt be a issue. Going to a conference for a week so won't be able to monitor the tank as closely as I do.

 

[SecretiveFish]

1.025 is ideal. 1.026 is ok and most corals/fish/inverts will tolerate that, but you don't need to keep the salinity that high.

 

[xiholdtruex]

rip john the trochus snail was found stuck in power head apparently he went in looking for algae and got stuck in the grate has anyone had this issue in the past?

 

[xiholdtruex]

So I picked up a tiny clown today from vip, and a new trochus snail

 

[grantm91]

Percula clown ?

 

[grantm91]

Percula clown ?

 

[xiholdtruex]

They were labled as ocellaris clowns

 

[grantm91]

Ah right nice eyes and markings.

 

[stella1979]

Awww, I love him! Man... if I could just get a goby in the display, I'd be ready for clowns too!

Errr, what's up with the axolotls pic? Do you have those guys too?

 

[xiholdtruex]

Awww, I love him! Man... if I could just get a goby in the display, I'd be ready for clowns too!

Errr, what's up with the axolotls pic? Do you have those guys too?

Lol I did not notice I accidently uploaded that pic, it was a pick of the stacking I sent to my daughter who loves axols but its to hot for them down here so would have to get a chiller for a tank eventually I would love a 75 gallon axol tank.

He is so fun to watch he swims around them jumps in the current to swim against it then swims out of it and back to the middle then back in lol Cant wait to get some porcelin crabs in there soon. Saw some sexy shrimp in the RFA today I wonder if clowns would eat them?

 

[xiholdtruex]

So I am at a appliance convention and went to a Guy Harvey restaurant with a 33000 gallon tank and a smaller tank by the table it was pretty nice. It was made by the people from the show tanked.

 

[SecretiveFish]

Lol I did not notice I accidently uploaded that pic, it was a pick of the stacking I sent to my daughter who loves axols but its to hot for them down here so would have to get a chiller for a tank eventually I would love a 75 gallon axol tank.

I have a lot of axolotls and really enjoy them! I sold a juvenile to a lady in FL that is able to manage tank temperature with keeping the room cooler and with fans blowing on the surface of the water. Just in case you need a push to set up an axolotl tank!

He is so fun to watch he swims around them jumps in the current to swim against it then swims out of it and back to the middle then back in lol Cant wait to get some porcelin crabs in there soon. Saw some sexy shrimp in the RFA today I wonder if clowns would eat them?

Unless the shrimp are really small, the clownfish wouldn't eat them. But without a coral protecting the shrimp, an established clownfish may pick at them resulting in death from stress. It is all about stocking order with saltwater fish!

 

[xiholdtruex]

Had fun at the expo today did not end of picking anything up just met a few fishlorians, for some reason linking isent working for me right now. I did pass by vip reef on the way back home and picking up my first rfa

 

[Wild Bill]

Sweet.

 

[Culprit]

Nice RFA! It looks super cool

 

[xiholdtruex]

This might be a stupid question, but is it normal for RFAs to close at night and open when the lights come on?

 

[xiholdtruex]

Went to vip today they have a special on rfa at 15$ each picked up three wanted to get so much more but had to contain myself. Was so excited super vibrant and unique colors all sizes

 

[stella1979]

That one in the first close up looks purple and yellow? Love it!

Nanologist - All VIP RFA's @ $15 each!!! Perhaps worth calling them up and seeing if they'll offer the same on a shipment.

 

[xiholdtruex]

On there face book its says online orders as well

 

[xiholdtruex]

That one in the first close up looks purple and yellow? Love it!

Nanologist - All VIP RFA's @ $15 each!!! Perhaps worth calling them up and seeing if they'll offer the same on a shipment.

That purple yellow one is popping nicely but now my orgibal orange brown one is closing up and hiding

Did a small wc and checked peramiters before it was 0 across the board

 

[stella1979]

I wonder how new additions could have caused this? Has anything else, like light, flow or food changed?

Waiting at a barber shop right now, but headed to VIP soon.

 

[xiholdtruex]

I wonder how new additions could have caused this? Has anything else, like light, flow or food changed?

Waiting at a barber shop right now, but headed to VIP soon.

Nope salinity is a solid 1.024 which is same as vip and temp is between 75- 77 which us same as vip. Unless my bulbs need to be replaced. Flow is only the pump that came with the tank took out the power head befor adding the anemone. Maybe I need to lower the water a bit so there is more disruption at the surface for oxygenation.

 

[stella1979]

Was the pump just removed before adding the new guys? If so, I'd think oxygenation has changed as well as flow.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Was the pump just removed before adding the new guys? If so, I'd think oxygenation has changed as well as flow.

I removed it before adding the first anemone the 28th of january. Just rechecked peramiters still good, turned on the blue light and now hes opening up again lets see how he reacts in a few hours.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Made the mistake of walking into vip reef again today and picked another RFA up I need some new lights so the colors pop better they look so dull with the wrong lights