little help

serpent · 03-25-2007, 07:24 PM

hi there i'm new to saltwater long time freshwater it like learing how to take care of fish and there tank's all over lol well my tank is about a week old i have uncure LG in there now and crush corel i did a 20% water change when should i see some browning in the tank i hear this is going to happen and when all my level are ok what type of bottem cralwer should i put in ther frist i'm puting in puffer's and some other fish

i post a pic on the member page have a look thank's

Sayce08 · 03-25-2007, 08:19 PM

Im new to the hobby as well, i would try a goby or a blenny,, they seem hardy and like the bottom..

SAW39 · 03-25-2007, 08:54 PM

Stop! Please don't add a fish yet.

OK, I understand that your tank is 1 week old. So far, your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) are all low. That is about to change!
In the next 15 days, your ammonia levels will rise, until the bacteria that consume ammonia increase enough to consume it and change ammonia to nitrite. Then, your nitrite levels will rise, until a different type of bacteria increases enough to change the nitrite to nitrate. Plants (algae) consume the nitrate, or water changes can be used to keep it under control (10-20 ppm or less).
Most people will kick the nitrogen cycle by putting a small chunk of shrimp or tuna in the tank. When it rots, it creates ammonia. Adding a hardy fish, such as a damsel, will also work. But, 1) it may kill the fish or 2) you wind up with a fish that you really didn't want.
Take it slow. Read, read, read. Especially read the 3 steps to a reef aquarium. http://www.3reef.com/aquarium-articl...ategory-1.html

serpent · 03-25-2007, 09:09 PM

thank's that help a lot

and should i run the filter with the ammonia rock to help or just let this part of the cycle do it thing and then start to control it after

SAW39 · 03-25-2007, 09:16 PM

In my opinion, run the filter to improve the water flow. But, I wouldn't use ammonia rock or any other substance to remove ammonia. Only use floss or some other inert materiel to get rid of larger particles in the water.

Remember what you are trying to do: create a population of bacteria in your sand and "live rock" that will consume the ammonia that your fish and inverts will produce every day. If you remove the ammonia, your population of bacteria will be smaller and unable to handle the bio-load. You'll still get small spikes of ammonia and nitrate when you add fish. THAT's when you use the ammonia absorbant.

serpent · 03-25-2007, 09:25 PM

sound's good thank's for your help

SAW39 · 03-25-2007, 09:55 PM

You're welcome.
Each cycle is different, but on average the total cycle time is around 6 weeks. You'll see the rise and fall of the ammonia and nitrite if you measure them 2-3 times each week and record the results. Once they both level off at zero, then you can start to (slowly) add the permanent residents of your tank.

hitman35 · 03-26-2007, 01:00 AM

I started my cycle with 2 4 damsels those little guys have been in the tank since the early cylce stages and have survived every change in water condition.Good easy fish to start the process with but dont add to much rock until you know you wanna keep em because trust me they are hard to catch and even harder with rock in the way.But take your time is what all the wise people told me and you will be more satisfied with the outcome.Unfortunatley I am a very impatient person but lack of money made it happen LOL good luck man welcome I am a noob myself

hitman35 · 03-26-2007, 01:04 AM

Also I was checkin out your pics your not really gonna need that venturi hose on your powerhead in fact you might not want it on at all the bubbles serve no purpose in saltwater they make the water look cloudy just some advice.

serpent · 03-26-2007, 03:13 PM

ok thank's i'll do that