New to Reef Frontiers -- Mount Vernon, WA

[Sparky and Raw Dogg]

Hi,
I started the saltwater hobby a little over 1 year ago and knew absolutely nothing about it. I find that I learn something new everyday and I always look forward to tomorrows lesson about the animals I care for.

OK here it goes... I have an 85 gal reef tank. Ammonia 0ppm, nitrate 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, pH 8.2, calcium 480. Filter xp3, protein skimmer AquaC Remora Pro, 1050 wave maker, 3 48" T5 lights and one antic. Fish..10yr old maroon clown, longnose hawk fish, scopias tang, scooter dragonet, anemone condy, pistal shrimp with corresponding shrimp goby, neon dottyback (need to sell or trade him), skunk clearner shrimp, 2 halloween hermit crabs, 20 blue/red hermit crabs, 1 porcelain crab, 2 xlarge feather dusters, leather corals, bunch of polyps, maybe 50lbs live rock --hard to tell. I think that's about it. This tank was given to us and we have been working hard to bring it back to a healthy status---as beginners to the hobby this was difficult for us but we are learning a lot everyday. I rely on the internet and talking to other people when getting my information.

Ok new tank.. 55gal hex . Started cycling about 2 1/2 weeks ago. It has 35lbs of live rock (thanks NWDiver), 30lbs of live sand, I put in some brine shrimp eggs and rotifers. Finally got my first ammonia spike on Wed. so I am at Ammonia .25ppm, nitrate .25ppm, nitrite 0ppm, pH 8.2 (it was 7.8) Filter xp, no skimmer yet, light 18" 10,000K bulb (totally need more). Not sure when tank will be ready for fish, such as, do I need to get two ammonia spikes or just one? I would love people's input on this one and what to look out for when cycling. I look forward to chatting with everyone and learning all I can from other reef keepers.

 

[returnofsid]

Hiya Sparky and Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!! Looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your tank! Pics are always welcome...lol.

You've found a great group of people, always friendly and willing to share wisdom and advice!!

 

[rainydave]

Welcome!

If you're not busy tomorrow, some of the North Sound Reefers are getting together at the La Conner Pub on 1st Street @ 4pm. We'll just be hanging out and talking reefs.

 

[Sparky and Raw Dogg]

rainydave,
Oh I wish I could, I am a student during the week and a working girl on the weekends (2x 24hr shirfts). Sundays are my only get away day. Hope I can attend one of your meetings sometime, thanks for the invite=

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF!!! :welcome: I'm sure you will enjoy it here.

 

[DTECH07]

Welcome:becky: and can't wait to see some Pic's of your setup.

 

[NWDiver]

Howdy! I'm glad you made your way to RF. There are great folks here ready to asist.
To answer your question, you should only see one spike in ammonia. As the ammonia reduces, you should see nitrite show up. Once the nitrite and ammonia tests read 0 for a day or so you should be all set.
Stock slow so the bacteria in your tank can keep pace. Expect to see some diatoms (See Krish's sticky article) they show up most every time. They will burn themselves out pretty quickly if you are using RO water.

-Todd

 

[Sparky and Raw Dogg]

Thanks NWDiver,that sounds great on the ammonia spike, and I am just now reading what diatoms are all about. This leads me to my next question of what goes in first? After the ammonia and nitrite hit 0ppm, I was thinking of getting a clean up crew for the diatoms(shrimps,hermits, crabs,) and then adding 1 or 2 fish later. What do you think? Inverts before fish best choice? By the way this will be a community/peaceful reef tank.

P.S, I think the live rock has bristle worms, they are pink, fuzzy, centipede type things. I did not see any while I was picking up this rock and moving it in the new tank a lot so I'm glad I did not touch one. What should I do with them---are they good?

 

[NWDiver]

Most people start with the cleanup crew but I don't expect that the bacteria care very much
I land on the side that feels that a CUC is nice for keeping down algae, turning over the sand etc. but it does not do much for removing nutrients.
As long as you take your time adding anything which will increase your bio-load, you will be good to go.
If you are going to focus on a reef tank, be careful with adding crabs, they will eat most anything, and if they get hungry, this can include coral.
Carefully select your critters as it is a pain to fish them out later