Need a little help please

[Salty Cracker]

I wanted to start my first reef tank, so I set up a 50 gallon tank, put a protien skimmer, pumps, live sand etc. The tank was crystal clear for a week, now it looks like smoke rolling through the tank and a little cloudy. Anyone know why?

 

[billdogg]

If you haven't, try using some carbon. It may be a bacterial bloom in the water. It could also be fine dust kicked up from the sand by the powerheads. Eother way, no biggie.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Thanks, I had a feeling it was from the power heads kicking up fine sand. I turned them off for a day to see if it would clear up, nada. And what do you mean by carbon?

 

[schatzi]

Did you cycle the tank?

 

[Salty Cracker]

I started the tank about three weeks ago. I ghost feed with brine shrimp and let it break down. Then the second week I put a small blue cronis in, the third week I added a small goby. I was going to order my live rock next week but scared to see the rock die if the tank is not right. This is my first reef tank, I have other saltwater tanks that I've had going for years no problem. I looks like thin white smoke rolling around the tank.

 

[DoubleM 10]

sounds like things are backwards. live rock goes in the tank when you are doing the cycle.

while cycling you periodically test the water till within specs. then you start adding fish.

if you add live rock now you will run the risk of adding parasites. and also some of the rock dying causing ammonia and nitrate/trite spikes.

as for your smoke issue is there any chemicals leaking into the tank? any electronics broking? or open? and spawning animals?

 

[schatzi]

Have you tested for ammonia nitrites & nitrates? You didn't let the tank cycle. Can take 4 - 6 weeks before you add a fish. Just because it's going to be a reef tank makes it no different from other saltwater tanks when you start them off.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Looks like I'm starting over... Thanks for the advice. would it be best to dump the live sand as well as the water?

 

[schatzi]

don't do anything until you test the water. you are probably in the midst of a cycle, or at the front end of it. are the two fish still alive?

 

[shesacharmer]

+1 on test the water. If you can rehome or return the fish please do. There is no reason to dump the water unless you discover it's contaminated by something. Add your live rock and let your cycle complete to zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and about 40 ppm nitrate. Then do a big water change and you are ready for your clean up crew (either hermits or snails, not both). After a month with the clean up crew you should be ready for fish.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I can move the fish to one of the other tanks I have.

 

[Salty Cracker]

And yes the two fish are alive and doing great.

 

[scott71]

If your tank is already cycled, then save money and get dry rock. Live rock will help the cycling, but if you are already there, go with dry rock.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I was hoping to go with live rock.

 

[Salty Cracker]

So today the tank is crystal clear again, tested the water is it's good. Would it be safe to add some live rock now? I see I did things backwards. Should I do a water change now or wait until I add the live rock?

 

[shesacharmer]

I'd leave the water alone and only remove as much as you need to add the rock. If you put in live rock watch for rising ammonia which indicates some die off. That is natural. Don't change anything. If you do have ammonia and nitrites then just wait for your nitrates to rise and your ammonia and nitrites to fall to zero. If after a week you have no ammonia or nitrites check your nitrates. You'll want to reduce the nitrates way down (less than 20 ppm) before putting your fish back in. Ideally you want your nitrates at zero long term, or very close to zero. You'll bring those nitrates down by doing water changes frequently.

 

[Salty Cracker]

So it would be best to take out the fish when I put the live rock in, and introduce them back once everything is good with the water?

 

[shesacharmer]

Exactly.