New Tank>>>>Need Help!!

[quietstorm]

^^^Hello All^^^

I am a new Saltwater Tank owner and need a little advice on cycling my tank. I have FW fish but currently am changing over to SW fish. I do plan on investing on a 120 gallon SW tank in the future, but I am starting out small to see how it goes first. Here is my Setup so far:

16 gallon Bow Tank
20 lbs of Bio-Active Argonite Reef Substrate
Aqua Clear Filter
601 Powerhead
16 lbs of Fiji Live Rock (purchased partiallt cured)
In-Tank Heater
18 " Marine Glow Flourescent Bulb

I have had my tank set up for a week now with newly added live rock in the tank. I bought the live rock partially cured and added it three days after the tank was setup with the proper water circulation and the water temp at 72- 78 degrees. I am not sure what to do next. I know it will take a while before the ammonia, ph, nitrite, and nitrate levels are balanced, but what is a comfortable SG level for SW fish? Some say between 1.020 - 1.023, and some just say 1.026. Which one is best?? Right now my SG level is at 1.025 and holding. For the live rock in the tank what should I look for while it fully cures? If you have any advice or suggestions that may be beneficial please feel free to post a reply. Thanks.:strooper:

 

[ciachef]

Now just sit back and let the tank cycle. It will take a couple of weeks for the cycle to finish. Once that is done you can add your cleanup crew, that is snails, hermits, etc. What are your future plans for the tank? After that comes your other inverts and fish. From your current setup I gather its going to be Fish with Live Rock(FOWLR).

Your SG is at a perfect level. I keep my SG at 1.025 as do many others.

 

[Avi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6711388#post6711388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quietstorm

I am a new Saltwater Tank owner and need a little advice on cycling my tank. I do plan on investing on a 120 gallon SW tank in the future, but I am starting out small to see how it goes first.

That's fine...but just be aware that the smaller the tank, the less stable it is, and the more prone to things like water quality issues developing it may well be. So, you have to pay very strict attention to everything that goes on. The same is true of bigger tanks, but changes take hold mush faster in a small tank so it's particularly critical.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m assuming that youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re changing over to a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œfish-only with live rockââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ tank rather than a reef because you didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t mention reef in your posting. It does make a difference.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6711388#post6711388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quietstorm
Here is my Setup so far:

16 gallon Bow Tank
20 lbs of Bio-Active Argonite Reef Substrate
Aqua Clear Filter
601 Powerhead
16 lbs of Fiji Live Rock (purchased partiallt cured)
In-Tank Heater
18 " Marine Glow Flourescent Bulb

Be aware that the 20-pounds has to be a minimum of three to three and a half inches so that anaerobic areas will be present. If 20-pounds doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t amount to that kind of depth, then get some more. Otherwise you wouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t be accomplishing a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œdeep sand bed.ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ I'd say that if it's FOWLR, don't bother with the deep sand bed at all. I'm not even fond of them in a reef.

As far as the Aqua Clear Filter is concernedââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦if itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s fish only then IMO itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s fineââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦If youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re intending on setting up a reef, I would use it for carbon only, if at all.

If youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re going to have FOWLR, then Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d say that you can do without it if you donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t keep very few fish, but otherwise, or if youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re going to have a reef, then a protein skimmer would be a great benefit. Thereââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a lot of disagreement about that with small reefs, but IMO itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s actually very important.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6711388#post6711388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quietstorm
I have had my tank set up for a week now with newly added live rock in the tank. I bought the live rock partially cured and added it three days after the tank was setup with the proper water circulation and the water temp at 72- 78 degrees. I am not sure what to do next. I know it will take a while before the ammonia, ph, nitrite, and nitrate levels are balanced, but what is a comfortable SG level for SW fish? Some say between 1.020 - 1.023, and some just say 1.026. Which one is best?? Right now I my SG level at 1.025. For the live rock in the tank what should I look for while it fully cures? If you have any advice or suggestions that may be beneficial please feel free to post a reply. Thanks.:strooper:

Thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a big temp rangeââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦keep it steady at the higher end of that range.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d keep the SG at 1.025-1.026.

As far as looking for something regarding the live rockââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.your water testing, particularly of ammonia and nitrates is what to doââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.getting them to 0ppm. Youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll see some aglae growth so donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t be alarmed by that.

 

[Steffish]

Just be patient at first. Read up all you can, so that in a couple weeks, you'll know what to expect.

 

[DrBegalke]

good luck!

 

[quietstorm]

FOWLR for Me!!

FOWLR for Me!!

Well being that my tank is only 16 gallons I do not want to overload it with fish and inverts. Just maybe 2-3 fish (clown), and a couple hermits, snails, and shrimp as the clean up crew. Is that too much for a 16 gallon tank?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6711483#post6711483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ciachef
Now just sit back and let the tank cycle. It will take a couple of weeks for the cycle to finish. Once that is done you can add your cleanup crew, that is snails, hermits, etc. What are your future plans for the tank? After that comes your other inverts and fish. From your current setup I gather its going to be Fish with Live Rock(FOWLR).

Your SG is at a perfect level. I keep my SG at 1.025 as do many others.

 

[Avi]

One clown and two small fish like a Yellow Clown Goby and a Rainfords Goby...along with the hermits and snails with maybe one shrimp like a cleaner would be fine.

 

[quietstorm]

^^100% FOWLR^^

^^100% FOWLR^^

Well thanks for the beneficial information. I do plan on keeping my tank fish and live rock. I plan on setting up reef in my second (120 gal.) tank later on. But for now I will just keep it simple. I do have a sufficient enough sandbed depth for the FOWLR setup. I do not prefer the DSB myself. Again I will leave that for the second tank. Since my tank is smaller than most starters, I am conducting a 10-15% water change once a week. Is this necessary to maintain a healthy water balance? And if so, do I need to add Iodine once a week to the tank? Thanks again for the insight!!
:bum:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6711576#post6711576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Avi
That's fine...but just be aware that the smaller the tank, the less stable it is, and the more prone to things like water quality issues developing it may well be. So, you have to pay very strict attention to everything that goes on. The same is true of bigger tanks, but changes take hold mush faster in a small tank so it's particularly critical.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m assuming that youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re changing over to a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œfish-only with live rockââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ tank rather than a reef because you didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t mention reef in your posting. It does make a difference.



Be aware that the 20-pounds has to be a minimum of three to three and a half inches so that anaerobic areas will be present. If 20-pounds doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t amount to that kind of depth, then get some more. Otherwise you wouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t be accomplishing a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œdeep sand bed.ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ I'd say that if it's FOWLR, don't bother with the deep sand bed at all. I'm not even fond of them in a reef.

As far as the Aqua Clear Filter is concernedââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦if itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s fish only then IMO itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s fineââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦If youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re intending on setting up a reef, I would use it for carbon only, if at all.

If youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re going to have FOWLR, then Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d say that you can do without it if you donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t keep very few fish, but otherwise, or if youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re going to have a reef, then a protein skimmer would be a great benefit. Thereââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a lot of disagreement about that with small reefs, but IMO itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s actually very important.



Thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a big temp rangeââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦keep it steady at the higher end of that range.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d keep the SG at 1.025-1.026.

As far as looking for something regarding the live rockââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.your water testing, particularly of ammonia and nitrates is what to doââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.getting them to 0ppm. Youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll see some aglae growth so donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t be alarmed by that.

 

[Avi]

Those water changes should work for you and only increase the frequency if you run into some algae problems. That's very possible.

As for iodine, without testing for it, don't add it. Doing water changes at that frequency will provide sufficient iodine without supplementing.

 

[NetFish]

Chances are you've already read Waterkeeper's threads. If not here's one just for you (and me

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848

 

[quietstorm]

Cool Link

Cool Link

Thank for the Link, it is greatlly appreciated!
:bum:

<a href=showthread.php?
s=&postid=6712892#post6712892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NetFish
Chances are you've already read Waterkeeper's threads. If not here's one just for you (and me

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848

 

[Pandora]

Hey quietstorm, just wanted to say
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

..and a personal welcome, because my boyfriend is also a cop in NoVA (Fairfax). Sounds like you are off to a great start! Might also want to check out www.wamas.org if you need anything... I am a member, and that is your local reefkeeping club! If you need any help, we are hundreds strong and we'll be there for you too, and if you ever go beyond FOWLR into reefs with corals, I and many other members would be happy to give you some gratis.

 

[quietstorm]

^^Good Community Pals^^

^^Good Community Pals^^

Hey Pandora,
Thanks for the invite to RC. I see you have alot of good advice on SW fish keeping, so if I ever get stumped I will be sending you a line. Well I do plan to go reef with my bigger tank(120 gal) someday, but I have to conquer the 16 gal first. Do you know if a skimmer is necessary for a 16 gal?; or will regular water changes suffice? I was planning on adding some coral to my tank sometime later, maybe one or two for the 16 gal. Well stay in touch my fellow fish gal pal...
:bum:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6713578#post6713578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pandora
Hey quietstorm, just wanted to say
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

..and a personal welcome, because my boyfriend is also a cop in NoVA (Fairfax). Sounds like you are off to a great start! Might also want to check out www.wamas.org if you need anything... I am a member, and that is your local reefkeeping club! If you need any help, we are hundreds strong and we'll be there for you too, and if you ever go beyond FOWLR into reefs with corals, I and many other members would be happy to give you some gratis.