75G Newbie Tank

budlover · Nov 7, 2015

Here's a pic of my tank, I got the RO water from the fish store until I get mine installed. Thinking of this one: http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

I have 2 RW-8P and a Coralbox D500 skimmer that I haven't hooked up yet. I have a bit of live rock in the sump next to the pump, should it be full o LR or what should I have in there? I have done research but would like to hear first hand! Thanks for any suggestions.

Vivid Aquariums · Nov 7, 2015

As long as you have enough live rock in the display (1lb/1g) you don't need any additional in the sump. Also live rock in the sump tends to trap detritus which can start to leach nitrates into the system. We recommend going with a nice size skimmer and a media reactor(for phosphate/carbon/bio-pellets) depending on the needs of your system. You might also consider a sponge in between the baffles to eliminate bubbles after the skimmer. Other than that you might consider a ATO system.

James

budlover · Nov 14, 2015

Thanks James. So now I have the brown diatom algae in my tank. I haven't put any fish or critters in my tank yet, should I wait till that clears and how do I rid of it? I have a skimmer in the sump but didn't start using it. Should that be going even though I have no fish?

Jimmyb819 · Nov 14, 2015

Has the tank finished cycling yet? If so adding a clean up crew will help with the diatoms.

budlover · Nov 14, 2015

I put a bottle of Colony in it a week ago today, should it be ready now?

Jimmyb819 · Nov 14, 2015

You'll need to test for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Once Ammonia and Nitrite go to zero your good.

Do some searches for cycling a tank. There is a lot of information and it is a very important step that needs to be completed correctly.

budlover · Nov 14, 2015

I'm overwhelmed with the research I've been doing! I did tests from Red Sea, Nitrate is 2, Nitrite 0, pH 8.2, Ammonia 0.2 but the KH was way off. This chart goes to 14 drops but I hit 16 drops!