[numisticman]

Hello,
my name is Ray and I currently have 4 fresh water tanks. My brother SCORED On an established 75 gallon saltwater tank and I love it, so I wanted to start a saltwater tank. I have a 40 gallon breeder tank. This is what I have done to it so far. I rinsed and added about 40 lbs of Atlantic crushed coral for my substrate. I used Instant ocean salt mix to get my SG to 1.022, my brother gave me about 5 lbs of his live Fiji rock and have have bought another 20lbs from a local saltwater store. (I plan on adding another 20lbs.) I also got a used filter from the store owner. I am using a Penguin 350 Bio wheel filter. I have a maxi jet 900 power head. I got about 1 cup of live sand from my brother and I added about 10lbs of larger coral pcs. from another saltwater tank. I am using a AquaC Remora w/ MJ 1200 Protein Skimmer. that seems to be working fine. I am using a Coralife brand lighting fixture with (1) 96 watt 10K daylight compact fluorescent light and (1) 96 watt true actinic 03 blue light. I let the tank go 1 week with nothing in it, then I added 9 damsels. 3 blue devil, 3 3 striped and 3 yellow I don't know what they are? I have had these fish in there for over 2 weeks, so the tank has been up and running for over 3 weeks now. My SG is a solid 1.022 my temp is at 76, I only tested the ammonia levels 4 times and at 1 point it might have been .025 but now it seems to be back to 0. OK here are my questions and thank you for taking the time to read all of this!!!!!! I want to add another 20 lbs of live rock and then let it go for another 3 weeks. Do you think this is enough time for the size tank that I have to be fully cycled? and I have a good idea on what kind of corals would be safe and live in my tank with my lighting but I would like some second opinions? Any information to a new-be would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank You Ray

[numisticman]

Hey all,
My name is Ray and I didn't realize that this was the intro and that I wasn't supposed to ask my questions here. So I appolagize. I am new to saltwater and new to this sight.

Peace be with you Ray

[Brians125]

Hi Ray...Brian here......my tip's and thought's are as follow....

I wouldnt use any type of crushed coral for substrate if your building a reef....Why....Well it's to course to big..Find your self a real sandbed or some sugar fine sand and make sure it's silacate free....Silacate's grow hair algae...Your salt mix is good stuff..Thats what iv used the last 9 year's...1.022 is a little low bump it up to 1.024 or 1.025 If your doing a reef tank...Your filtration is not great salt water wise..Clean it byweekly if you keep that filter....The only other thing i see that is bad is you did not let your tank cycle for 6 week's..Just slow down with liverock and just substrate and let it run for 6 week's...Patience is the #1 thing in salt water..Test your water every other day no matter if you have coral's or not...Keep calcium in the 400 range...And keep all other's at 0 Amo,Nitrate,Nitrite,ALK3. 5,PH8.4 Temp 78-79...And get a phosphate test kit keep it a 0 or you will have what i call a nightmare on your hand's..Phosphate grow's hair algae and alot of other type's of algae...And last....Your Damsel's there very aggresive mean and get ugly as they age and you have way to many in that tank..If you keep em you will have serious problem's later down the line...(Phosphate wise)..Feed in small amount's and you might make it work..Sorry babbeling again but i have 9 year's in this hobby, I lost lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and we as sucessfull reef lover's hate seeing people suffer due to not knowing.....Best of luck to you and your bro...Brian
P.S my best advise to you is....IF AND WHEN. your ready to spend $$$$$$$ ask someone on here for tip's..Remember we are not trying to sell you anything your lfs or petstore is>>G/L