First Shipment Problems

R

RainierCherry

New member
I'm brand new to this, and I'm setting up a 29 gallon tank. I just received my first shipment of rock and set it up last night.

I have two questions:

My water hasn't cleared up yet, it's been maybe 10 hours. It's better than it was for sure, but not clear. Just wait?

I woke up this morning to find that my protein skimmer was making tons of white foam, overflowing out the top of the skimmer and making a big mess (some flowing back into the tank, some going elsewhere). I closed the air intake and the foam stopped. Is this the answer, or just a band aid? It's a Seaclone, 100 or 150. The collection cup is full -- what to do?

I'm obviously brand new at this, would really appreciate any help.

Thanks.
 
your tank should clear up within 24 hours, with the skimmer, is the foam a dark color? or white?. Foam is a good thing, it's doing what it's suppose to, just make sure you adjust so you keep your bubbles to a min, when you get fish in your tank
 
The foam is white. If I open the air intake at all, the foam starts pouring everywhere. Do I keep it shut or open it and hope the mess will calm down?

Thanks!
 
That will happen with a new setup, you'll have to keep an eye on it, how long does it take to fill up? are you talking hours? and is it hanging off your tank? or in a sump?
 
It's hanging off my tank. No, not hours. If I were to significantly open the air intake, you could watch the foam rise up and within a few minutes the foam would be pouring out of the collection cup. I think I could keep it open just a tiny bit to keep it from filling quite so fast....
 
I was just going to suggest that, don't open all the way, I also have one hanging on my tank, adjust it so you have very little micro bubbles coming out of the flow and I'm sure you'll be ok, also make sure you don't have an air pocket in your tube
 
In case anyone is interested, as the day has progressed I've been able to open the air intake valve more and more. The collection cup has some tan/beige colored water in it, and there's some foam, but it seems to be a reasonable amount of both.

The tank is still a bit murky, but I'm hoping that will clear up. No ammonia yet...
 
don't watch too closely! You're going to go nuts... I know it was driving me crazy waiting and watching... I tested waaaay too often... it'll take a week or two for the cycle... just make sure the ammonia doesn't spike too high (above 1ppm).
 
week

week

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14571160#post14571160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RainierCherry
In case anyone is interested, as the day has progressed I've been able to open the air intake valve more and more. The collection cup has some tan/beige colored water in it, and there's some foam, but it seems to be a reasonable amount of both.

The tank is still a bit murky, but I'm hoping that will clear up. No ammonia yet...
Click to expand...

Skimmers can take a week or so to break in...they have to develop a slime coating on the inside to effectively "skim"..

sea ya
Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:
 
I'm back with a few more questions... Does anyone have any suggestions for a hydrometer? Mine gives me readings all over the place, I'm never quite sure which one to take. Also, how often should I expect to do water changes? I'm testing for ammonia twice a day, and usually it's a little above 1ppm. It's hard to get a precise reading on the ammonia-- nothing wrong with my kit but it only shows pictures for .50ppm, 1ppm, 2ppm on up to 8 so it's hard to know if it's 1.25, 1.5 etc. Is that normal or should I look for a kit with a narrower range?

Generally things are going well. The water is clear, the skimmer is now not producing much foam at all, but this is normal from what I've read (right?) I have a very mysterious hitchhiker about the size and shape of my thumb, a bit fatter. He likes to hunker down in the sand but he has moved around enough for me to see some legs. I'll try to take a picture, but he blends in very well with the sand.
 
if your using a hydrometer just make sure your running under non saltwater to clean it out well, if your getting different readings with it your not cleaning it out good enough..IMO you don't need a "REFRATOMETER" if your only running a FOWLR or REEF..don't let these people on this forum make you waste money that you don't have to spend, most of these people are to hard CORE!! and listnen to members that tell them to do something, and it goes on and on... it's all common sense!! Keep reading each forum..,your going to have some people tell you to do something and others tell you to do something else, do your research and then come to this forum to get input..and come to your own conclusion..i've used a hydrometer on my saltwater and brachish's tanks for over 4 years and never had a problem..so Rainer don't let these HARD CORED FREAKS..lead you in the wrong direction..
 
I'm not sure that being more accurate is being a HARD CORE FREAK, but to each his own...

Rainier, on the subject of ammonia, if it looks over 1ppm, change at least 10% of the water. Richard is very good at what he does and if its over 1ppm, do it and you'll be well rewarded.

Another option is to get another cheap testkit and check it aginst your original kit. I originally had the same problem with my first kit and the comparison method worked great. (First kit is now in the garage waiting to be recycled)

Hang in there and it will be worth it.
 
I hardly consider myself hardcore, but... I've used a refractometer for the last four years and find it a piece of cake to use. The aquarium seems to have done OK with it so pick your poison. A source, if your looking is:
Bulkreef Supply
My original reason for getting one was the Hygrometer I picked up at the LFS used a lot more water and just didn't seem to give consistant readings. May have been it or may have been me but I've liked the refractometer a lot more. As for testing the ammonia, if it's convienent to you, you can take a sample of your water into the LFS and have them test it. It's an easy way to compare readings that your kits are getting without spending a lot on additional test kits. HTH
 
+1 on the refractometer. They are around $45. I got mine at Premium Aquatics.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=REFRACT-PA&Category_Code=Hydrometer

I have heard countless claims of shocking differences in readings when people started using a refractometer. One guy had managed to let his get to 1.030 using the hydrometer. It just has a greater margin of error and for 45 bucks I don't consider it hardcore and it is way easy and accurate. The one thing I don't think there is room to scrimp on in this hobby is original water parameters good salt/good RO/DI that means bing able to measure those things accurately. Just my 2 cents.

Noah
 
Thanks to all for the feedback. I'm considering a refractometer, primarily because I do think my hydrometer is acting crazy. Rinsing it did help though, thanks for that advice.

Do I dare ask what is good salt? (And also, which salt to stay away from.)

Thanks!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14602540#post14602540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RainierCherry

Do I dare ask what is good salt? (And also, which salt to stay away from.)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

HaHa

All I can say is I did a lot of research and wound up using Reef Crystals. It is basically Instant Ocean's line for corals etc. TONS of people use IO or RC with very good results. Tropic Marin is supposed to be very good. I wouldn't worry too much, but probably stay away from real off brands as the batch consistency is going to be less stable than places that make tons of stuff. Almost all the major brands have had a few inconsistent batches where they get a whole bunch of flak, but honestly, I think they are pretty similar and a lot of problems stem from 'user error' or other tank conditions. I am more of a 'test less/stress less' person than a overmonitor type and will continue to use RC because it aint broke...

I am happy with RC, but probably be just as happy with plain IO.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14599239#post14599239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Indy2008
if your using a hydrometer just make sure your running under non saltwater to clean it out well, if your getting different readings with it your not cleaning it out good enough..IMO you don't need a "REFRATOMETER" if your only running a FOWLR or REEF..don't let these people on this forum make you waste money that you don't have to spend, .....so Rainer don't let these HARD CORED FREAKS..lead you in the wrong direction..
Click to expand...

whew... what an attack. Sure you can use a hydrometer. I never said you couldn't use it. I find it easier to use. It has other advantages like being able to test the water of the fish/coral you bring home. Making acclimation easier. You can't do that easily with the hydrometer, because it uses too much water.

As for expense, it's a trade off money or time.
 
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