Am I ready?

[duncangweller]

Hi all,

So.....I have just completed a set water tests and found the following:

Salinity - 1.025
Calcium - 360mg/l
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Phosphate - 0
Kh - 143-179 or 8-10 (I wasn't sure exactly how yellow the test was supposed to be)
Temp - 84 deg C (was a little high due to lights)

Considering the former numbers, am I ready for a fish? Also, I would like a couple of zoas, are these numbers sufficient for zoas? As far as lighting goes I have 6 54 W T5 lights over a 75g (48Lx20Hx18D).

How does that sound?

Thanks all,
Dunc

 

[Loki]

How long has your tank been up? Either your cycle hasn't started or it's done. You should have some nitrates. A very minimal amount but there should be some.

Lighting is enough for zoas.

I would try to get the calcium up. It's not really needed for zoas or softies but 400 is a good number to start with.

The temp needs to be lower for sure. I try my hardest not to let my tank get over 82 degrees. I have heard of tanks going down hill very fast above 85.

 

[duncangweller]

Thanks for the reply.

The tank is coming to the end of its 2nd week. I have been putting uncooked prawns in there every few days to provide food for the bacteria. I did have the rock in a large rubbermaid container for 1 month before going in the tank (dry Eco rock from BRS). I am going to redesign my canopy as I think my lights are getting too warm and are too close to the water. I will also install a fan in the canopy. I have done a few tests throughout the two weeks and according to my tests no nitrate or nitrate has ever shown its face.

 

[Kano]

You could have had your cycle in the rubbermaid container so when you put the rock in the tank it was already able to convert the ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. If your tank is in the 84 range it is risky keeping it that high. It is possible to keep things alive but they'd be happier and survive longer if you can get the temperature down using fans, different lighting, chiller, AC in the house or wherever the tank is, etc. Try a fish you'd want long term that would get along with whatever else you plan on stocking. If it looks bad or if you're unsure bring it back to the store or a friend to hold onto until you're ready to test it again. Good luck. Hope it's ready for livestock.

 

[Loki]

With you putting the prawns in you should see ammonia no matter if your tank is cycled or not. Because you are having a decent size thing breaking down I doubt that you have enough bacteria to immediately conver *** all the way through the cycle. I would look into having someone test your water or using a different test kit. I would hold off on the fish and coral for a little while longer. It just doesn't seem correct to me and I wouldn't risk a fish in it.