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My 1st 4x2x2.5 Ft Tank


westy
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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

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  • SRC Member

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

Project R.E.

Main Tank: 48" x 18" x 24" 12mm with external overflow piping

Sump Tank: 28" x 14.5" x 12" (3 compartments)

Lightings: T5 HO - Hopar 3* 39w + ATI 2* 54w

Skimmer: Skimz Bullet Beckett

Chiller: Resun CL-650 (28 - 29 °C)

Wavemakers: 2* Seio M620 + 1* Hydor K2 (7100 litre / hr)

Fluidized Reactor: Skimz FR (currently empty)

Pumps: 1x Rio 32HF (Skimmer), 1x Rio 20HF (Return & Chiller)

Filtration: more than 80kg LRs, chaeto

Water Circulation: ~ 4000 litre / hr

Future Plans: additional wavemaker, DIY algae scrubber, DIY overflow box

Previously:

Project R : 36" x 12" x 24" 10mm reef

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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.

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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 ??

2x1.5x1.5 tank

Lighting: AI hydra 52HD

Skimmer: Deltec SC 1455

Reactor: Minimax; rowaphos

Skimz  ; NP biopellets

Wave Maker: MP 40 WQD

Return pump: Eheim 1262

Chiller: Arctica 1/10 hp

 

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel -- Proverbs 12:10

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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 :lol:

Enjoy and all the best to you :)

Tank 60x40x40 Optiwhite Glass Tank Sump Elos 500 w/ Tunze Overflow Protein Skimmer Skimz Kone SK1 Return Pump Hydor Seltz L30 Wavemaker Hydor K1 Illumination 150W + 2 T5 Chiller Arctica 1/5hp w/ Aquabee 1000 Water Top-up Tunze Osmolator Dosing Pumps Grotech 3-Channels Calcium Reactor Deltec PF 501 Computer Aquatronica

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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.

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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

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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.

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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. :peace:

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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

:rolleyes:

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 :D )

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 :rolleyes::rolleyes:

子非鱼,焉知鱼之乐... (you are not the fish so you...)

Then: my 4FT low tech selling off tank... (2006)

Now: (2014)

@Sept 2014

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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

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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 :D

Tank 60x40x40 Optiwhite Glass Tank Sump Elos 500 w/ Tunze Overflow Protein Skimmer Skimz Kone SK1 Return Pump Hydor Seltz L30 Wavemaker Hydor K1 Illumination 150W + 2 T5 Chiller Arctica 1/5hp w/ Aquabee 1000 Water Top-up Tunze Osmolator Dosing Pumps Grotech 3-Channels Calcium Reactor Deltec PF 501 Computer Aquatronica

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