1st tank equipment

Noob2015 · Jun 5, 2015

Hi everyone!

I'm 3 weeks into cycling my first saltwater tank.
It's a 90 gallon (36x24x24) reef tank with 30 gallon sump and refugium.
-60 lbs live rock
-miracle mud and light in refugium (light not on yet)
-Orbit Marine Dual Actinic LEDs
-ESHOPPS S200 Snow Cone Skimmer
-SICCE Syrna Silent 3.5 pump (660 GPH)
-Submersible heater in overflow but I forget brand. Has kept consistent temp.
-glass topper
-oak canopy

Can I pepper you all with a couple questions right out of the gates??
Could you give me some feedback on my equipment? Please be honest about the brands, sizes, quality and ability to do an effective job.

Also, I just did my first testing: (API saltwater master test kit)
Temp: 76-77 via in-tank thermometer
SG (via Redsea refractometer) 1.020 which I know is a little low
pH: 7.8-8
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Can that be correct after 3 weeks? I have a decent amount of algae but it's definitely going away. Also my two coolest looking and colored rocks have a huge aptasia each and both have maybe 10 tiny ones.

Thanks everybody! Looking forward to meeting lots of you in this forum!

luke33 · Jun 5, 2015

Looks like a good start. A few things I would probably change. I would pull off the glass topper and add a mesh top, that way there is better gas exchange for a higher orp and it will raise your ph a bit. Did you ever have ammonia readings in the tank?

In your refugium you may want to add some chaeto or some other macro, then keep the light on 24/7.

Raise your sg up to 1.025, then get rid of the aptasia and your set : )

Good choice on the skimmer and return pump. The orbit marine is an ok light but if you get to the point of higher light corals you may want to upgrade, but for now just stick with it.

booth2010 · Jun 5, 2015

If you can pull the rocks with aptasia out and kill em all. Itll be easier now than later.

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2015

Welcome! I'm also in the Dallas area, so if you ever want a couple frags to add (when your ready) give me a shout.

I agree with luke. Good start! Definitely get rid of that aptasia! Even if it means replacing those rocks (that's extreme) do it now before your tank is full of corals and fish. I didn't see where you listed any power heads. You don't really need them right this second, but you'll probably want them soon especially for coral.

Noob2015 · Jun 5, 2015

Thanks Luke. The glass topper came with the setup but I will certainly look into a mesh. I was concerned anyway about oxygen exchange as you mentioned, but also heat retention as well as light penetration.
The guy at my lsf said not to bother with testing for the first few weeks since it will just be cycling anyway. Today was my first test. I've been adding 5 capfuls of a product called MicroBacter7 every day for a little over 2 weeks according to his and product's instructions.
As far as light in fuge, my guy said to leave off during cycle but eventually it will be on and we will grow some macro algae...forgetting the name at the moment.
Since I haven't done a water change yet I was going adjust the SG when I'm mixing my water. I just bought two 31 gallon trashcans dedicated to my water changes. Do you think I should adjust right away?

For corals I was going to stick to hardy (but good looking) beginner corals. I just bought a book on corals that I'm still researching what I want to start with.

As far as my tests.....at this point what am I waiting for? For algae to disappear? Aren't parameters (besides SG and slightly pH?). 3 weeks seems soon for me to be cycled no?

Thanks for respoding

booth2010 · Jun 5, 2015

Is MicroBacter7 bacteria? If so 3 weeks could happen. The reason for waiting is to make sure the bacteria can handle the fish load put on the system. It can take a while by itself to build up a good amount, but if you were putting some in everyday then it is possible to be cycled.

Noob2015 · Jun 5, 2015

LSF said they would give me some peppermint shrimp that would eat the smaller aptasia and that we could get the two big ones with "aptasiaX"? What do you guys think? The rocks that they are both on have other rocks on top of them but I could still take them out to kill the aptasia if that 's the best way.

Concerning powerheads, yes sorry I forgot. In addition to the two (not sure what they are called, but returns maybe?) returns creating surface aggitation I have one Hydor Koralia powerhead (currently not on).

Melypr1985, awesome! I live up in Wylie just NE of Dallas 20 min. I'll reach out to you. I'd certainly love some guidance and advice from experienced guys.

Noob2015 · Jun 5, 2015

Booth, yes it says it's "complete bioculture for establishing biological filtration and rapidly improving water quality in all marine and freshwater aquaria". It says so, so it must be true! ; )

If I take another reading next week and parameters remain the same do you think it's safe to add some coral and a couple fish? Or should I wait until the algae clears up? It's getting less and less everyday as it is.

melypr1985 · Jun 5, 2015

I have never used aptasia x. But i have taken rocks back and traded them for ones without pest anemones twice. Both times i removed the coral that came on the rock first

.
Im in mesquite just south of 80. Hit me up anytime. I know a large group of reefers in our area. Any and all will be happy to help along with me.

booth2010 · Jun 8, 2015

Noob2015 said:
LSF said they would give me some peppermint shrimp that would eat the smaller aptasia and that we could get the two big ones with "aptasiaX"? What do you guys think? The rocks that they are both on have other rocks on top of them but I could still take them out to kill the aptasia if that 's the best way.

Peppermint Shrimp can work but it is never guaranteed. Some will eat it and other wont. I believe I have read that injecting them with Kalkwasser helps but I could be mistaken.

Noob2015 said:
If I take another reading next week and parameters remain the same do you think it's safe to add some coral and a couple fish? Or should I wait until the algae clears up? It's getting less and less everyday as it is.

I would just add one fish and maybe a coral or 2 in a couple weeks. The biggest thing in this hobby is to take it slow. It will always work out better. The algae could take a while to clear, you could always throw in a CUC to knock it back.