First Saltwater Tank

[storm4kay]

I bought a used72 g bowfront. they had this tank for your reef aquarium. It included the Seaclone Protien Skimmer, 5 Powerhead, Heater, Current Dual Satalite light with Moon lights. They keep some of the sand at the bottom of the tank. She indicated to keep everything as is in order to help with the cycling process.

I started to cycle the my tank on May 3. I bought 10 lbs of honeycomb base rock and 11 lbs of LR (haitian & tonga), and a few b/w feather duster (hitchers). I didn't clean the LR since I need to cure the LR and cycle my tank. I bought one of those in tank Amonia test, Quick Dip by Jungle, and Hydrometer. The amonia test has not shown any spike in amonia but the NO+3 & NO-2 were off the charts the first few day...now they are starting to get lower. Do you know if this is normal to not see the Amonia skipe up or is my test defective?

I am using RO water from Walmart (Culligan) and plan to start using Tropic Marin Salt. When I do water changes what do I need (powerhead & heater)?

I have 3 powerhead (2 stable/1 that moves) do I need to install the other 2.
What other tests kits do I need and do I need to put additatives to the tank?

 

[plateboy3293]

You should buy a different type of test kit maybe an api test kit or seachem.
Test strips aren't always as accurate.
You should have test kits that measure nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, dkh or alkalinity, calcium, and high range ph.
The ammonia should spike first followed by nitrite and nitrate.( The test for ammonia might be defective

 

[JBuffetReefer]

If the LR is cured and you are using live sand, your tank may not cycle. Keep an eye on your parameters and if they all read zero in two weeks, you will be ready for fish.

I've done this on a few tanks. When you start a tank with seasoned LR, live sand and some water from a running tank, the tank will typically not cycle since it is all live and seasoned.

As far as water changes, get some 5g buckets and a spare powerhead to mix the salt with it and you'll be good to go.

Since you are new to saltwater, I would reccomend you buy some books. First buy the book "Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner. This book has alot of info about saltwater tanks and fish. I wish I would have read this book when I first started this hobby, I would have saved a ton of headache and money. Their is also one for invertebrates.

Also, I would reccomend "Pocket Expert Guide to Marine Fishes" by Scott Michael. This book gives a breakdown of all the different fishes you will find in a LFS, along with eating habits and compatability with other fishes. I would reccomend you bring the book with you to the store when shopping for your fish.

Congrats on the new tank, hopefully you will have alot of fun and few headaches.

good luck

 

[storm4kay]

Thanx for your quick reply.

I don't know if the LR was fully cured. The LFS i bought it from indicated that she had it in here tank for over 6 week. It didn't take me long to bring it home (covered in wet newspaper & transported in cooler.

The Ammonia test I have is the Seachem Ammonia Alert (hang in tank).

In addition to the 5 in 1 test kit, I also have the NO2, ALK & ph test kits from Red Sea. I like to compare the reading from the strips...just in case it is questionable. The readings between the strips & Red Sea test have be accurate.

I will be heading out to the store to get additional kits (phosphate & calcium). Do you think I need a cooper kit as well?

I don't have much sand and plan to buy some LS by next weekend.