Beginner Messed Up

kewpiereefypewpie · Jul 22, 2017

Hi all,

I'm brand new to saltwater, but I've been keeping fresh water fish successfully for some time.

I'm pretty sure I messed up, my girl and I were silly and we rushed things. We bought an AIO 24 gallon tank and 20 pounds of live rock. We set the tank up with tap water (doh!) a week ago. We just stuck the live rock in too (double doh!) I've since found the multiple errors in our ways and have bought a ton of equipment to do this thing right; including an RO/DI system among many other things.

There is nothing in this tank besides the live rock. The RO/DI system came the other day, should I just start over? Do a 100% water change and just count my losses and move on?

Thanks very much in advance

michael.cser20 · Jul 22, 2017

I just set a new tank up and stuck the live rock in on the first day I never thought about a problem because the tank has to cycle anyway. For the water issue I would do at least a 50% change. You want to get as much phosphate out as you can. You are going to go through the ugly phase anyway but why not let it not be as bad. Make sure your testing 0tds and using a good refractometer

kewpiereefypewpie · Jul 22, 2017

Yeah I bought a TDS meter for my RO/DI and a refractometer off of BRS.

fredjr · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Hi all,

I'm brand new to saltwater, but I've been keeping fresh water fish successfully for some time.

I'm pretty sure I messed up, my girl and I were silly and we rushed things. We bought an AIO 24 gallon tank and 20 pounds of live rock. We set the tank up with tap water (doh!) a week ago. We just stuck the live rock in too (double doh!) I've since found the multiple errors in our ways and have bought a ton of equipment to do this thing right; including an RO/DI system among many other things.

There is nothing in this tank besides the live rock. The RO/DI system came the other day, should I just start over? Do a 100% water change and just count my losses and move on?

Thanks very much in advance

At this point you haven't lost much but a little time and salt. I would drain the tank and start over with RO water

Cment · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Hi all,

I'm brand new to saltwater, but I've been keeping fresh water fish successfully for some time.

I'm pretty sure I messed up, my girl and I were silly and we rushed things. We bought an AIO 24 gallon tank and 20 pounds of live rock. We set the tank up with tap water (doh!) a week ago. We just stuck the live rock in too (double doh!) I've since found the multiple errors in our ways and have bought a ton of equipment to do this thing right; including an RO/DI system among many other things.

There is nothing in this tank besides the live rock. The RO/DI system came the other day, should I just start over? Do a 100% water change and just count my losses and move on?

Thanks very much in advance

We've all been there in the beginning...doesnt seem like your situation is all that bad. I would completely empty the water and use RODI. Even if you have good tap or well water there are still things in it that can create small to large problems later on. Your rock should be fine but go slow and just keep researching like you are and this hobby can be very enjoyable. Continue to monitor parameters and adjust to those as needed. (i.e. high phosphates do a water change after cycle is complete) Keep posting your questions on this forum bc there are many knowledgeable people on here who can really help you out...Good Luck!!

kewpiereefypewpie · Jul 22, 2017

fredjr said:
At this point you haven't lost much but a little time and salt. I would drain the tank and start over with RO water

Makes sense to me! Thanks!

Cment said:
We've all been there in the beginning...doesnt seem like your situation is all that bad. I would completely empty the water and use RODI. Even if you have good tap or well water there are still things in it that can create small to large problems later on. Your rock should be fine but go slow and just keep researching like you are and this hobby can be very enjoyable. Continue to monitor parameters and adjust to those as needed. (i.e. high phosphates do a water change after cycle is complete) Keep posting your questions on this forum bc there are many knowledgeable people on here who can really help you out...Good Luck!!

Thanks very much! It does seem smartest to just start over so I don't have to battle any long term problems later-which I'm sure I'll have to anyway.

I'm assuming if I switch to a different salt now that it won't be much of a problem? The kit came with Fluval salt, but I watched a BRS video that said Red Sea Coral pro is a good salt for beginners and good for corals which is my ultimate goal.

michael.cser20 · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Makes sense to me! Thanks!

Thanks very much! It does seem smartest to just start over so I don't have to battle any long term problems later-which I'm sure I'll have to anyway.

I'm assuming if I switch to a different salt now that it won't be much of a problem? The kit came with Fluval salt, but I watched a BRS video that said Red Sea Coral pro is a good salt for beginners and good for corals which is my ultimate goal.

I use the Red Sea blue bucket and I love it. Mixes very clear and has nsw perimeters. The coral pro was giving me a alk of 12dkh which was way to high.

Cment · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Makes sense to me! Thanks!

Thanks very much! It does seem smartest to just start over so I don't have to battle any long term problems later-which I'm sure I'll have to anyway.

I'm assuming if I switch to a different salt now that it won't be much of a problem? The kit came with Fluval salt, but I watched a BRS video that said Red Sea Coral pro is a good salt for beginners and good for corals which is my ultimate goal.

Switching salts now won't matter. The "best salt" topic is a never ending discussion. I've used them all and would recommend using what is readily available in your area in case you run out or have an emergency. I'm back to regular ole instant ocean. Tank looks great corals have great color and growth.

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 22, 2017

While I don't look for any particular brand of salt, I always look for one targeted for reefs. They have a higher calcium content along with other nutrients.

Cment · Jul 22, 2017

Keeping things consistent is the KEY to success (temp, salinity, alk etc). Whatever you decided to go with makes very little difference if you can't keep parameters consistent...

kewpiereefypewpie · Jul 22, 2017

Cment said:
Keeping things consistent is the KEY to success (temp, salinity, alk etc). Whatever you decided to go with makes very little difference if you can't keep parameters consistent...

Right, makes sense. How regularly do you test your water? I got the API saltwater test kit but it sounds like I should invest in a couple other ones, I know I should get alkalinity, any others?

Cment · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Right, makes sense. How regularly do you test your water? I got the API saltwater test kit but it sounds like I should invest in a couple other ones, I know I should get alkalinity, any others?

API to me is great while during your cycle. After that while keeping corals, Red Sea or salifert are the preferred kits. I test Alk and Ca weekly and Mg every other week. I also test my water changes before they go in the tank to make sure they match my display parameters. This rarely happens so I adjust accordingly with 2 part before the water change. In the beginning while the tank is maturing and stabilizing you'll probably have to test more often. Eventually the tank will be on cruise control

fredjr · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Makes sense to me! Thanks!

Thanks very much! It does seem smartest to just start over so I don't have to battle any long term problems later-which I'm sure I'll have to anyway.

I'm assuming if I switch to a different salt now that it won't be much of a problem? The kit came with Fluval salt, but I watched a BRS video that said Red Sea Coral pro is a good salt for beginners and good for corals which is my ultimate goal.

It's what I use also. great salt for corals. I also use all base rock. No bad stuff

kewpiereefypewpie · Jul 22, 2017

Looks like there's a big price difference between salifert and red sea for test kits, but it looks like the salifert includes tests that red sea doesn't. I'm thinking I ought to bite the bullet and pay a little more for the salifert.

Cment · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Looks like there's a big price difference between salifert and red sea for test kits, but it looks like the salifert includes tests that red sea doesn't. I'm thinking I ought to bite the bullet and pay a little more for the salifert.

I only buy salifert and find them to be consistent...

Salty1962 · Jul 22, 2017

I would drain and start over. That way you'll know your starting off the right way and will help with keeping algae problems from getting out of hand. As mentioned, post any questions you have. Moving forward, be PATIENT and GO SLOW! Helps you stay motivated and enjoy this great hobby! Also helps the pocket book

kewpiereefypewpie · Jul 22, 2017

Salty1962 said:
I would drain and start over. That way you'll know your starting off the right way and will help with keeping algae problems from getting out of hand. As mentioned, post any questions you have. Moving forward, be PATIENT and GO SLOW! Helps you stay motivated and enjoy this great hobby! Also helps the pocket book

Thanks. Yes, no more rushing for us. At least not too much damage was done.

What would ya'll suggest for a stock list fish-wise in a 24 gallon? I was thinking a couple of clowns and maybe two more small fish? A mandarin is my girls favorite fish but I know they have difficult feeding requirements and I won't be giving them a go for a long time.

thaitopher · Jul 22, 2017

You should be fine. Because you haven't added any livestock yet, everything can be undone

Cment · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Thanks. Yes, no more rushing for us. At least not too much damage was done.

What would ya'll suggest for a stock list fish-wise in a 24 gallon? I was thinking a couple of clowns and maybe two more small fish? A mandarin is my girls favorite fish but I know they have difficult feeding requirements and I won't be giving them a go for a long time.

Mandarins require a heavy amount of pods to feed off of each day and typically smaller tanks cannot supply that demand. Check out this link, should help.

http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+2124

XNavyDiver · Jul 22, 2017

kewpiereefypewpie said:
Thanks. Yes, no more rushing for us. At least not too much damage was done.

What would ya'll suggest for a stock list fish-wise in a 24 gallon? I was thinking a couple of clowns and maybe two more small fish? A mandarin is my girls favorite fish but I know they have difficult feeding requirements and I won't be giving them a go for a long time.

Almost any kind of goby. I have like seven of them in my tank. Love em!