[eickhorn]

Hello All

This is my first post here and i hope the start of some new friends
I decided last month to get back into the hobby after 25 years. man what changes

Does anyone know of modern ( Yes modern ) program for our hobby? I found a couple online, but they are useless. I'm hoping for 21 century tech, not early 1980's.

Well i purchased my 54 Gal corner tank last saturday and went with crushed coral? I hope it wasn't the bad choice . Anyway, they sold me on bagged salt and i have since learned of premade saltwater. Guess which store i will not return as a customer!

Anyway here are 3 sets of readings.
Please let me know whati need to do.

5/3/07
temp 78, ph 7.8, clac 240, sg 1.017,am .50, nitrite 0, nitrate0, Phos .5

5/5/07
temp 79, ph 7.8 calc 220, sg 1.018, amm 1.00, nitrite .25, nitrate 15., phos .5

performed 10 gal, RO water change, then retested 6 hours later

5/5/07
temp 79., ph 7.9, calc 260, sg 1.0195, amm 1., nitrite .25, nitrate 0.0, phos .5

So how am i doing?
Any hints

thanks
bob

[reefnoob1991]

I'm brand new at this but by (small) experience I know you may need to get some Marine Buffer by SeaChem it's only 3.99 for 200 gallons of water and it constantly keeps your pH at 8.3. Don't worry you can add as much as you want and it wont go higher than 8. I don't think you should do any water changes until your cycle is over from what i've heard and your ammonia is being converted into nitrite right now (see nitrite spike), thats normal

[Danakor]

Welcome. First off Crushed coral is only a slight step above the freshwater gravel. Not that great. Go with live sand or a superfine sand.

Pre mixed salt water is okay...not great. I prefer to mix my own simply because then I can adjust the salt to my liking.

Have yo put anything live in your tank? It seems to me as if it is going through a natural nirogen cycle. perfectly normal. wait a day and test again, if nothing has changed do a 20% water change. and wait after about 6 hrs then test again.

[eickhorn]

Hello Thanks fo the replies.
Reefnobb1991= I do have that power and added it last night. Thanks

Danakor= Thanks i was just wondering, because i mixed 2 cups per gallon and still was well below 1.020. after replacing 10 gallons it came up a bit.

[eickhorn]

forgot to answer, yes i added 5 damsels adn thre have died.
there still in the thank.

When is it okay to add lava rocks as a foundation for the reef?

[jvharding]

It's best to add your live rock now while the tank is Cycling! 1 to 1.5 Lbs per gallon. Adding LR later will cause your tank to cycle again. Did you raise your PH yet?

[eickhorn]

Hello
Just finished all the new readings
temp 80
ph 7.8
sg 1.018
calc 460
nitrite 0
nitrate .25
phos .225
amm 1.0


Thanks for the heads up pn the rock.
I will buy some later today and place it in

[eickhorn]

Here are the latest readings

Temp 78
PH 8.0
Salidity 1.024
Calc 600
nitrate 20
Phosphate .5
nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

What other tests should i be doing and what do i need to do right not to adjust

[Six-line Wrasse]

I would certainly work on the phosphate issue. You using tap water? If so, try to get RO/DI or distilled water. RO/DI is better, glass distilled is best.

[eickhorn]

Hello
original water was tap ( 3 weeks ago ) since then i replaced 10 gallons of pre-made 1.024, and today added 2 gallons of distilled ( after test )

[eickhorn]

Okay
Here are the readings from today.
Temp 76 Deg
Ph 7.8
Sal 1.022
Calc 240
Nitrate 20
Phos 2.0
Mitrite 0
Ammo 0
Copper 0
KH 196.9


What am i missing?

Im going to raise the temp and adjust PH

[starfishlover]

What kind of salt are you using? Temp should be a little higher.Are you using powerheads?
Making water ahead of time?

[eickhorn]

I have a Bak Pak, with a Cascade 1000 cannister .

[starfishlover]

Salinity should be higher. Especaily if your doing a reef. Are you using RO/DI water?

[rlcline76]

My husband used crushed coral in his tank...it is a pain in the butt to keep clean...reef clean. I think more crap gets stuck in there. It is also difficult if you buy burrowing snails to clean the substrate and sift the sand. You have probably already switched.

I also mix my own water and sand.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by eickhorn

Okay
Here are the readings from today.
Temp 76 Deg
Ph 7.8
Sal 1.022
Calc 240
Nitrate 20
Phos 2.0
Mitrite 0
Ammo 0
Copper 0
KH 196.9


What am i missing?

Im going to raise the temp and adjust PH

Ph needs to come up to 8.0/8.3
Calcium needs to be 400-450
Nitrates should be 5 or less
Phosphates should be 0
Not sure what that KH reading turns into for dKH but 9-12 dKH is ideal

Someone's got some work to do

[eickhorn]

Hello Rlcline76: I don't have sand. the sales person sold me the CC and all their tanks have it also. I just need to start all over. Too bad i have a fish in the tank ( damsels ) already

hello starfishlover"

I started over 30 days ago with tap water, then i changes 20 % of the water and since then have added 5 gallons DI

[eickhorn]

Krazy K


196 = 11 KH

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by eickhorn

I just need to start all over.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just dont get all discouraged because your readings are not perfect...

Good things come with time, this is why alot of us preach to take your time.

Your tank will make a turn for the better, we're all here for the same things..

if you need help, just ask

[eickhorn]

How can i adjust the readings?

Should i do another water change?

[Krazy]

what brand test kits are you using ?

I ask because on the 19th your calcium was 600 and todays reading was 240, thats a major change for not having anything to eat that calcium up...

water changes will help with the nitrates and phosphates, RO/DI is a major plus !

you can run a reactor with carbon or phosphate removal media to lower those #'s..

[eickhorn]

im using api kits

I looking for a full range of Salifert kits.

Will to 20% water sunday ro/di @ 1.022

[Krazy]

Yeah I like SERA and Salifert kits myself, good choices

Aim for 1.024 with your salinty, 1.022 is a tad on the low side if your planning for corals, etc..

[eickhorn]

Okay
I can run up the salt to 1.024

Where do i find the kits?

[Krazy]

Salifert test kits for your aquarium

or

Aquarium Products

Personally I think the SERA kits are a bit more user friendly...