first saltwater tank

[Jlux23]

I'm Justin I have been doin the fresh water thing for a while but salt water is looking more interesting to me lately so I set up a 20 long with some aragonite and some seeded rock fresh out of my cousins tank

I know I'm still in the cycling process but my girl friend wanted to do somethin sweet so i came home to a clown fish in the tank its at a good gravity and the ph is good too all I can say is so far so good I guess unless someone will foster my clown haha

 

[thatguy559]

is that all you tested??? how long before you introduced the fish?

 

[Jlux23]

is that all you tested??? how long before you introduced the fish?

It's only been a few weeks it was in there when I came home from work I dont know what else to do with him other than to leave him in and hope for the best

 

[sullest]

To be honest people going to think I'm an ******* for this, but I introduce my clown 1 week into having saltwater =). They are still alive today and happy.

 

[NC2WA]

Get a good quality test kit (that is, Salifert or Elos) and test for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates..

Personally, I test for these elements before I would have added anything.

Should be 0 (zero) for Ammonia and Nitrites..as any detectable amount can be poison to fish..therefore, I would not add fish at that point.

I HIGHLY suggest before you add anything else to the tank, you read the following book:

Conscientious Marine Aquarist

It explains basic concepts like cycling a tank, what live rock is, how pH, temp, and salinity work together..

Time and patience are two things you need for saltwater,,it will serve you well in the future..

HTH

 

[NC2WA]

but I introduce my clown 1 week into having saltwater

Sullest,

Typically, you want the tank cycled before adding ANYTHING, the only exceptions would be a clownfish as it is a relative of the damsel family..it is prolly the one fish that can handle it, but this is NOT a recommendation to willy nilly add fish during a cycling process.

 

[sullest]

=p told u I was evil hahah

 

[Slate]

Like they said get some test kits for ammonia, nitrates, etc. But my guess would be that after 3 weeks with established rock for another tank you are probably OK with the 1 clown. Just give it a bit of time before adding anything else. If you hit high on ammonia or nitrates be sure to do a water change right away to protect the fishes health. Are you running a skimmer? and what are you using for water flow inside the tank?

 

[sullest]

have a bottle of prime ammonia ready. I test like crazy and add prime whenever I see a spike. It stinks like poo, but it worked for me.

 

[Jlux23]

That makes me feel better about them being able to survive in there and I have the water testing kits so ill bust em out and let you people know what I find

 

[pewpewlazerbeam]

If his tank is cycling why would he chemically remove the ammonia?

 

[Slate]

If his tank is cycling why would he chemically remove the ammonia?

To save the clownfish.....

 

[Jlux23]

Running an hob filter right now

 

[pewpewlazerbeam]

And won't that just restart the cycle?

 

[sullest]

I don't think it would restart it. However, when dose, dose lightly. Its true what pewpewlazerbeam said, it needs some ammonia but not a ****load where it will kill the fish. Eventually there be enough nitrifying bacteria that takes care of it. There is also product such as bio-spira that accelerate the process. =p i keep my fish alive so I must be doing something wrong.

 

[NC2WA]

i would stay away from the products that say it will instantly cycle your tank..

you just can't beat good 'ol fashion time in cycling a tank..let nature take its course..(I know, I know, I'm old fashion).

 

[Jlux23]

Being this is my first attempt at salt water I'm sure ill make mistakes and I'm doing my best at being patient so I'm just waiting on the next stages which I am told is brownish stuff growing on the sand then hair algea on the rocks. While I wait on that ill keep at the fresh water to feed the addiction haha

 

[NC2WA]

correct, brown diatom algae bloom will occur and is normal..just let it take its course which can be from 1-6 wks..(it varies from tank to tank) and keep up with your water changes (after the tank cycles of course).

 

[Jlux23]

I was told when that happens I should get some snails and crabs to keep in under controll

 

[marlinmero]

Welcome to reeffrontiers and welcome to salt water the money pit