My 1st 4x2x2.5 Ft Tank

[westy]

Hi Guys/ Gals,

Just bought a 2nd hand tank, and have since started to run the water and LR for 2 days only. These are the parameters that i have collected so far, can any kind soul pls enlighten me whether these readings are on the right track of a new tank setup?

Cal: 480mg/l

mg: 900mg/l

PO4: 0.5mg/l

ph: 7.7

Nitrit: 0.02mg/l

nitrate: <1 mg/l

Alkalinity: 5 dkh

Here are the parameters.. pls comment and help me.

My equipment so far is only protein skimmer and a 4ft PL tube lighting. Currently awaiting my chiller and ATI lighting arrival.

Cheers

[andylee]

Since ur cycling only for 2 days, ur parameters here will not be an accurate reflection for ideal water parameters

[Venezia]

Ideal pH should be around 8.3 i think and Alkalinity should be higher also, like 12 or something.

Since your tank is cyclying den there is bound to be some nitrite, after cyclying this should be 0.

And... your calcium... its ok but it dosent really "tally" with the pH and Alk, as in low pH will precipitate out calcium. U need to do a search in the forum. iT'S been mentioned b4.

[hammy]

Hi Guys/ Gals,

Just bought a 2nd hand tank, and have since started to run the water and LR for 2 days only. These are the parameters that i have collected so far, can any kind soul pls enlighten me whether these readings are on the right track of a new tank setup?

Cal: 480mg/l

mg: 900mg/l

PO4: 0.5mg/l

ph: 7.7

Nitrit: 0.02mg/l

nitrate: <1 mg/l

Alkalinity: 5 dkh

Here are the parameters.. pls comment and help me.

My equipment so far is only protein skimmer and a 4ft PL tube lighting. Currently awaiting my chiller and ATI lighting arrival.

Cheers

ur ammonia reading ??

[M4rk4nth]

your Magnesium is too low try adding some mag suppliment

you might not be able to maintain your KH and Ca if your mag is that low

[jervismun]

Welcome bro!!!

Ok don't panic... there are a lot of things to fix right now... do it slowly. Don't stock and fishes or corals yet. Just focus on bringing your water condition to optimum level while experimenting with your newly acquired equipments.

This is a very challenging hobby and with it comes great satisfaction

Enjoy and all the best to you

[Nelson88]

Since its only in its 2nd day, I think you should just leave it to run during its cycle.

Don worry about parameters until the cycle is complete.

When you do the 50-80% water change, all will be fine.

Meanwhile, read up as much as you can from the Forum, it has lots of useful info.

[westy]

Hi Mentors,

My tank have been cycling for a week and the parameters are as such:

Alkalinity: 7 dkh

Calcium: 368mg/l

Mag : 1020 mg/l

PO4 : 0.25mg/l

PH: 7.7

Nitrat: < 1mg/l

Nitrit: 0.1 mg/l

Ammonia: 1.0mg/l

Could all pls kindly comment on the readings.... I do have a few questions to ask all you mentors... Pls help ! !

1. How can i bring my ammonia down or my tank is still at the cycling stage?

2. Do i have to add supplements at this stage where i believe my tank is still cycling..

3. I know brining down nitrit is important, but how do i go about doing it?

4. Do i need to run my skimmer now?

Pls mentors.... Enlighten me..

Thanks

[jacobus]

bro .. i think ur ph and kh should be higher ... ph above the 8 range ... kh should be 10-12 like tt if im not wrong ..

[flying carpet]

It a tank with good size. I would not worry about the reading too much. Cycling your tank means die off period during this time any living organism will start to die off in your tank. Your ammonia reading should shoot up sky high if not then something is wrong with your test kit. Unless you are using cured live rocks whereby cycling period can be shorten but not recommended.

Anyway hope other can also contribute to this info for our fellow reefer.

Regards.

[flying carpet]

1. How can i bring my ammonia down or my tank is still at the cycling stage?

It is cycling period is massive die off. So no point trying to reduce your ammonia level as decomposing matter contributes ammonia.

2. Do i have to add supplements at this stage where i believe my tank is still cycling..

After cycling then your boost your water level.

3. I know brining down nitrit is important, but how do i go about doing it?

Loads of carbon or get a denitrator.

4. Do i need to run my skimmer now?

Up to each individual. For me I don't. This is because I also want every pest like bristle/bobit worms that is living my liverocks to die also. I switch it on after cycling.

Hope this helps. Happy reefing.

[asg]

Hi Guys/ Gals,

Just bought a 2nd hand tank, and have since started to run the water and LR for 2 days only. These are the parameters that i have collected so far, can any kind soul pls enlighten me whether these readings are on the right track of a new tank setup?

Cal: 480mg/l

mg: 900mg/l

PO4: 0.5mg/l

ph: 7.7

Nitrit: 0.02mg/l

nitrate: <1 mg/l

Alkalinity: 5 dkh

Here are the parameters.. pls comment and help me.

My equipment so far is only protein skimmer and a 4ft PL tube lighting. Currently awaiting my chiller and ATI lighting arrival.

Cheers

i used to run my tank for a month before adding LS.

while waiting for your tank to settle down, you can do a few things (to help kill time )

1) visit SRC frequently (i think you are doing)

2) visit www.wetwebmedia.com for their FAQ sections and general information

3) go borrow some books on marine fish or coral from the library

4) visit different LFS for a better understanding of their price, practice,etc

the hard part for 4) is that you shall not buy any coral/ fish

[westy]

Thanks,

Can i just ask, do i need to turn on my lights while my tank is still in the cycling stage?

Do i need to add bacteria every alternate day?

Cheers

[alex826768]

use blue lights n dose kalkwasser ... for coraline algae to bloom ...

[westy]

Guys/ Gals,

I'm cycling the water for 3rd week and the readings are as such,

Calcium: 428

PO4 0.5

Nitrat: < 1

Nitrit: 0.05

Mag: 1000

Alkalinity: 9

PH: 8.0

Ammonia: 0.05

Is my tank considered cycled?

I will be posting pics soon.. Pls stay tuned !

Cheers

[ReDDeviLs]

nope ammonia still detectable..wait for it to go 0.

[westy]

Hi mentors,

This is how my tank looks like currently..

[westy]

It is still in the cycling stage.....But i do have a 2 footer. and this is how it look like... rather bare... cos it CRASH TWICE b'cos of anemone...

[westy]

Hv bought a few sunnies from a fellow reefers..

[westy]

another one..

[westy]

Another shot

[westy]

Last piece...Yet to open up it's pores... Hope it will eventually...

[westy]

This is the overall pics for the sunnies that i bought.. Sorry for the poor resolution as i have a poor digital camera.

[jervismun]

Do you intend to transfer the LR from your old tank to your new tank? Coz it looks a bit bare at the moment... love the bridge... but nicer if it is a large flat piece of LR

[ReDDeviLs]

can add more liverocks to ur tank bro.