New Tank Cycle HELP!!

rob.holbrook · 04-19-2007, 04:44 PM

So I just setup a 90 Gallon Saltwater Tank, I bought a Pro Clear 110 Undertank Sump with Skimmer, I have a Coralife Deluxe with 65 watts per bulb two are actinic and two are normal light. I put two heaters 200 watt each in the sump and the temp is at 78 degrees.

I set this tank about about 2 weeks ago. I was wondering if it is safe to add a few "starter fish."

Other problem is when adjusting the air flow to the skimmer There seems to be no happy middle, either I have bubbles and water going over the top into the collection cup or I don't have any.

Please help me out
Rob

telman2010 · 04-19-2007, 05:01 PM

Congratulations on joining a great hobby. I wouldn't worry about the skimmer to much yet. They need break in time, and if you don't have in anything in the tank then you really don't have anything to remove yet. As far as the fish go, You do need something in the tank be it a few starter fish (damsels and the such although they are a pain to get out later) or the old shrimp in a pantyhose method. You need something in there to get the cycle jump started. Good luck

rob.holbrook · 04-19-2007, 05:10 PM

I went to LFS and they pointed me to buying 3 Green Chromis or a couple tank raised clown fish. I went ahead and bought the green chromis and put them in my tank after acclimating them. I guess cross your fingers I hope they make it through the night.

Any suggestions would be great.

telman2010 · 04-19-2007, 05:19 PM

You should do fine. The chromis will be fine for getting things started. The hard part comes now. The hard part being the waiting. You don't really want to add anything else for a pretty good while. Tank needs time to cycle. There are quite a few very good thread on here all about it. Do a search and you can get just about all the infomation you need.

rob.holbrook · 04-19-2007, 05:28 PM

So should I expect the chromis's to die... or will they be okay during the cycle

Otty · 04-19-2007, 05:30 PM

A 90 gal I would of just put one fish in there. 3 is going to be a big bio load for a tank that has no bacteria yet. Do as Telman said and take it slow, if you wanted something fast you should of took up drag racing...

As for the skimmer, shut it off. You won't need that for about 6 months, it's taking elements out of the water you need to help coralline to grow.
The local fish store is trying to make a sale it sounds like. You need to watch places like that.

You tested any water yet???

rob.holbrook · 04-19-2007, 05:35 PM

I wasnt trying to take it fast.... I know to take it slow... just was following what I was told by the lfs.... so I can just turn the skimmer off.... I guess I am not understanding why I would want to turn it off.

I tested the water today .... about a hr ago and my ammonia was at .50 ... and had no nitrate or nitrites, ph was at 8.2

Otty · 04-19-2007, 05:51 PM

There are some good lfs out there and then there is some that is out to make money of your lack of knowledge. Just remember they can't keep the doors open if they don't sell stuff. I hope the one that you have is a reputable one.
Your cycling the tank now so I would not even worry about a skimmer yet. Right now you need what the skimmer is taking out. I have been running a 265 gal for 8 weeks now and I don't have a skimmer or any lights on. Lights is just going to make algae grow and that is not what you need right now.

Tangster · 04-20-2007, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob.holbrook

I wasnt trying to take it fast.... I know to take it slow... just was following what I was told by the lfs.... so I can just turn the skimmer off.... I guess I am not understanding why I would want to turn it off.

I tested the water today .... about a hr ago and my ammonia was at .50 ... and had no nitrate or nitrites, ph was at 8.2

What are you skimming ? Look if you take a few weeks and get the water parameters to the correct levels and stable and run the proper lighting and seed the tank for coralline algae and let that get a hold then in about 5 months you can use the skimmer. As a skimmer removes the coralline spores and until you get some animals in there there will be nothing to skim and will also slow the cycle process. Now if you loaded up the tank with L/Rock and sand then skim away as you will need it to remove the dead rock mess and die off. Thats my opinion only..
I myself use a totally different way to cycle tanks then are used these days and all a LFS wants is revenue bottom line.. more you kill or waste the more they make.. Even the well meaning ones I have been in and have dealt with I hear stuff they tell people and I just walk away and shake my head.. Buyer Beware

kimmy · 04-20-2007, 02:01 PM

It took me 6 weeks to cycle my 40G back in July. I set is up adding from the start 20LB of live rock. That was my cycle kick start. I did not skim though. I actually didn't add a skimmer until November. At the 4 week mark when the ammonia turned to nitrites, at low levels I might add, then I added 3 green chromis also. Very friendly fish. Didn't lose one. I also didn't use lights until the fish came and even at that, I used a low wattage. Corals are really the only things that have light requirements. Fish not so much. Help keep the algea at bay also.

To each his own, this worked for me. Good luck and be patient, it will be worth it!! =)