Live Rock

[4G1v3N]

I bought about 50# of uncured LR for my 80G. i let that sit along with 40# of LS for about 7 days. I then got my water tested and everything was alright. on the 8th day i added 30 more lbs of Uncured LR and 2 more lbs of LS. I just got my water tested tonight and my ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite were high. I was just wondering if that is caused from the addition of LR, and if so is that a temporary issue or do i need to do a WC.

Another question i have is that i bought a skimmer and the guy at the LFS told me to keep the air line in the water until my tank was cycled. Is this a good idea? what would happen if i leave that air line out of the water?

Thanks for your help everyone!

[coral reefer]

I would say that the spikes were the result of die off from your live rock! Is this a new tank? Has your tank cycled completely?
If your tank has cycled completely, a water change will help. Possibly add carbon and a nitrate remover as well. Time is the best solution for your problem however...

[4G1v3N]

yeah a new tank, 10 day's old. But should i run the skimmer?

[Dyngoe]

I essentially agree with coral reefer. It sounds like you have a brand new tank. Adding uncured live rock will throw off your tank. Add a nitrate remover to imeadiately remove excess nitrates before they feed an algae bloom. Do a few small water changes ~5-10% every 3-4 days and then wait. Since you have live sand and rocks it shouldn't take too long. Probably be ready for fish in around two weeks. I also suggest you run it under lights if you are not already doing so.
As for an air line in your tank, I think it's unnecessary unless you have film building on the water surface. Your skimmer is adding way more air to the water than a bubbler every will.

[4G1v3N]

Well the air line if for the power head that goes on the skimmer. basicly if you leave that line in the water all the skimmer does is bubble out of the outlet, but if you take the air line out of the water it make the skimmer start working(making micro bubbles in the inlet chamber and collecting foam). Should i run the skimmer with my new tank? will that make the cycle go slower, faster?

I will add the ammonia and nitrate remover and do a water change tommrow. Bad thing about it is i initially used tap water to make the salt water. My first big mistake. From now on i am going to use RO.

If anyone knows about RO systems or a good web page could you send me the link please!

Thanks again guys for all your help and support!!

[Diver_1298]

i just read your post tonight...
You don't need a skimmer to cycle your tank. Although, I believe it helps oxygenate your water?? I would wait on using it.
If your tank is cycling, (you said 10 days old) just wait it out. You need at last 6 weeks before you add any livestock...
Air water and Ice is a sponsor of 3Reef and has some good RO/DI units.
www.airwaterice.com Compact Reefkeeper
Go SLow, Read and Enjoy

Jim