[Reefer 2]

My tank has been up and running for about THREE WEEKS now I have a 55 gal tank with
(2) fluval 305 canister filters(bad I know) (1) Hang in back filter capable of 100 gal and
(1) prism protien skimmer. I started my tank with 35 lbs. of live rock 40 lbs. of live sand and used (cycle) I have had (1) blood red fire shrimp (9) hermit crabs (1) feather duster
(1) hatian anemone (18) snails of 3 diferent varieties, and (1) sea cucumber in my tanks for aprox 2 weeks crazy I know but all are doing very well, I am starting to get a decent amount of coraline algae of all different colors( pink,purple,green,red)

My test results are as follows:

salinity 1.022
p.h. 8.3
water temp 80 degrees farenheight
alk 2.0
nitrites 0
nitrates 20

I have a t5 light that has (2) 54w white lights and (2) 54w atinic lights
I also use instant ocean salt and nothing but RO water.
My question is ( Is my tank cycled??? and when should I do my first water change????)
any help will be greatly appreciated.:

[Tonz of fun]

3 weeks and you already have a anemone...Good luck...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I would say you have weeks to go at least. If you havnt had any algea outbreaks hang on the best is yet to come.Cycles are a forever thing.You get one big one and a little one every time you add or remove something from the tank.If it was my tank I would get 35 more pounds of live rock and cycle it in a bucket and put it in the tank.Then remove the fluval as long as the skimmer is rated for more than 55 gallons.I agree with Greg,the anemone might not make it as your tank at this point lacks the stability to support one.You could try again with the anemone about 6 weeks after you add the rock,and that might work.

[rlcline76]

I noticed that you said "have had"...out of curiosity, at what point did you add the anemone, if you are only at 3 weeks now?

[thelastmucci]

ahhh...another anemone lover....gotta love the impatience of some people

[Reefer 2]

I have had my anemone for about 10 weeks now, and it is doing fine. It is eating out of my hands and everything.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by Reefer 2

I have had my anemone for about 10 weeks now, and it is doing fine. It is eating out of my hands and everything.

We are all curious how do you have anemone for 10 weeks and tank only be running for 3 weeks??? A tank in the first 3 months will go through many changes. The initial nitrogen exchange is just the beginning. I consider a tank 3 months old fully cycled! I am happy to see your test results in your post all looks good have you done a water change yet? An Anemone is very sensitive creature that does not respond well to instability's in a tank. Be very careful with water changes and do not add to many critters at any one time this could effect BIO Load and cause death to your Anemone or others in the system. Please research the needs of all live stock before purchase.

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by Reefer 2

My tank has been up and running for about THREE WEEKS now I have a 55 gal tank with

Originally Posted by Reefer 2

I have had my anemone for about 10 weeks now, and it is doing fine. It is eating out of my hands and everything.

Anyone else a little puzzled?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I am quite sure there is a reasonable explanation.

[thelastmucci]

maybe he upgraded his tank and put the anemone in it after a few weeks??? Either way I think it's too early for an anemone...I'd wait a minimum of a year to get one of those even ones as simple as BTA's

[Reefer 2]

Sorry I have been away for awhile been working alot of overtime. to solve the riddle of the 10 week thing. I have no idea how that got posted maybe my kid did it or something????? I put the anemone in at 1 1/2 weeks and let me tell you I have had all of my critters as listed above for the whole time I started my tank on 11/7/07 all is doing well coralline alge is growing like a ******* and nothing is dying I have done 1 water change of 10 gal. I have no fish yet my anemone does eat out of my hand every couple of days(silverside fish) but my daughter usually does it thats why I tend to belive that she was the one that posted that I have my anemone for 10 weeks. Hey I know I rushed some things but I'm sure i wasn't the first person to do it and at least nothing has died on me yet. if my anemone and shrimp ect.. have made it for a month then i think It'll be just fine no major alge outbreaks yet 1 small one that lasted for a day or two ( just algae on the glass though) well thanks for all your repies i look forward to reading many more( it might take a long time for me to reply due to work but I really apreciate all of them.