spec gravity too high?

[Beemo]

how high is safe? my specific gravity measured 1.026 just now...is that bad?
theres not much in the tank now since its new, i only have 2 scarlet hermits and 15lbs live rock in a 10g tank with 2x40 pc lighting
should i lower it or just leave it?
the crabs arent acting any different
my amonia has been .25 all week and after a 10% water change its now at zero...will this spike again?

 

[Russian123]

no relax its kool ur specific gravity is fine recommeded is 1.021 to 1.026 so your ok. As Far as your Amonia spike I cant really say, are you curing ur rock in your tank, if you are depends on how long youve had the Rock in there.

 

[jun_celis]

I was in the pacific ocean waters last June and it measured 1.026. You should be right on the money!

 

[Beemo]

oh good glad i dont have to stress myself out trying to lower it
the tank is only 8 days old with live rock in the tank for the past 7 days
the rock i got had alot of goodies on it, red algae, green, purple, some sponges and tons of amphipods that are scurrying around everynight
some of the red algae has sloughed off, i removed it with a siphon
other than that there hasnt been a huge die off, should i expect more to die in the next week or is this it?
the tank doesnt even smell, like i hear people saying how their live rock stinks. i havent had brown algae yet either.
maybe i had a mini cycle? im dying to add a coral please stop me

 

[mg426]

You should see a rise in ammonia first, followed by measurable nitrite. When your nitrite readings peak then fall to zero you can try a fish. just take your time, be patient and all will most likely be good.as for the SG no worries at all.

 

[a4twenty]

8 days isn't enough time for the cycle to run it's course. you should continue testing ( for nitites and nitrates as well ) and i wouldn't add a coral yet. how high did your amonia go? if only .25 then i'd say your not through yet. if they're reading 0 you should start testing for nitrites, when they get to 0 start testing for nitrates

 

[Beemo]

dang i knew i should have bought that nitrite test
i have amonia test and a nitrate test kit
when the amonia was at .25 was that the rise? and now its at zero
i dont want to add any fish yet just a coral....is that possible this soon? with zero amonia? i was thinking like a frogspawn or maybe a candy cane coral....no good?

 

[NCreefwannabe]

the coral are worse to add first, mainly because they cost alot more, and will likely die-off if your watet parameters arent correct.

 

[supertech3]

Pastina, you better slow down and wait for thing s to take their course(cycling) or you are going to get frustrated and have alot of losses (money,corals,fish)

 

[Beemo]

okee dokee
so when the time comes maybe in another month what should i add first? fish or corals?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Fish.

 

[mg426]

Fish for sure

 

[Beemo]

thnx

just one more question...i wanted to get a banded serpent star, at what time should i add him? after the fish or after the corals?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Starfish are very fragile when it comes to salinity fluctuations. I would wait until your tank has a couple of months to get matured before going with any starfish.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

If you can keep the same tank parameters sable for a month or so, you could start with some low-end corals, like mushrooms or zoanthids.

 

[PatMayo]

pastina,

Read this, it tells what your parameters should be. I don't agree with Russianpimp123, that SG range is way too large.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

I would recommend that you wait at least 3 to 4 months before you add any corals. At the rate you seem to be heading your going to produce one of those threads that reads, "all my fish are dying and my corals are losing there skin". Trust me you need to do some reading and get some education regarding this hobby or you will be selling your gear.

It would behoove you to read some of these threads:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166836

The thread above has tons of information you need to read!!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166836

This web site will help you immensely as well.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm

I only tell you these things because I hate to see folks kill critters unnecessarily and you seem like a nice guy.

Regards,

Pat