Beginner trying to set up 55 gal tank

[Mallory86]

So my husband really wanted a saltwater tank like his dad had when he was a kid which I now realize means I have to set it up and care for it, I added live sand and got premixed saltwater from my LFS along with some base rock. The entire tank got super cloudy, I'm assuming from the sand but really have no idea, although it has settled and cleared up yet now I'm having spots of green algae which I don't know if that's normal or something to worry about? Any help, tips, advise are appreciated!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!! Cloudy water on startup is typical especially if you didn't rinse your sand or rock first.. the algae your seeing is also normal.

this is a great read for newcomers to marine tanks, good luck and enjoy the forum..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Jimbhoy13]

So my husband really wanted a saltwater tank like his dad had when he was a kid which I now realize means I have to set it up and care for it, I added live sand and got premixed saltwater from my LFS along with some base rock. The entire tank got super cloudy, I'm assuming from the sand but really have no idea, although it has settled and cleared up yet now I'm having spots of green algae which I don't know if that's normal or something to worry about? Any help, tips, advise are appreciated!

Welcome to R2R. Normal to have cloudy times at first. Take things slowly. Ask R2R for advice. Lots of knowledgable and helpful people here that will support you.

 

[PatW]

The green algae are normal is a new tank. You will go through an ugly stage in the tank. You need to get a few snails to graze on the algae and keep it under control.

 

[Cwentz758]

So my husband really wanted a saltwater tank like his dad had when he was a kid which I now realize means I have to set it up and care for it, I added live sand and got premixed saltwater from my LFS along with some base rock. The entire tank got super cloudy, I'm assuming from the sand but really have no idea, although it has settled and cleared up yet now I'm having spots of green algae which I don't know if that's normal or something to worry about? Any help, tips, advise are appreciated!

First off sounds like you better lay down the law lol

second this is normal for a new tank. did you add and live bacteria to help start the cycle?
Send us a picture of your set up and we will all help you as best we can!

welcome to the reef!

 

[esther]

So my husband really wanted a saltwater tank like his dad had when he was a kid which I now realize means I have to set it up and care for it, I added live sand and got premixed saltwater from my LFS along with some base rock. The entire tank got super cloudy, I'm assuming from the sand but really have no idea, although it has settled and cleared up yet now I'm having spots of green algae which I don't know if that's normal or something to worry about? Any help, tips, advise are appreciated!

Welcome to the addiction! lol

 

[Mallory86]

First off sounds like you better lay down the law lol

second this is normal for a new tank. did you add and live bacteria to help start the cycle?
Send us a picture of your set up and we will all help you as best we can!

welcome to the reef!

I added live sand which it said had live bacteria.

 

[Mallory86]

Thanks everyone, the green algae seems to have cleared up, and the tank is a lot more clear now but I got this light....an LED Seascape with RF Remote control featuring a 24 hr timer and it has the ability to change the intensity of the lights and multiple colors which really confuses me tbh.

 

[New&no clue]

which I now realize means I have to set it up and care for it

;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious Same here. My husband and I talked about it for years and when we finally decided to do it, it turned into me doing everything.

I would recommend watching the BRS series on how to set up a reef tank. A lot of good starting topics there. Green algae is normal. If your ammonia has dropped I would add a clean up crew(CUC) to help with the algae. Also if your lights have red and green make sure they are turned down or off, these help algae growth.

 

[lapin]

Howdy
You got yourself a nice tank. Hubby will have to ask you if he can pick out fish and coral. Dont be too mean.
The base rock and live sand will get the cycling process started. You can help the process by adding some food for the bacteria to grow. It can be a piece of table shrimp or a small pinch of flake food. You can also get bacteria in a bottle to help speed the cycle. Its not needed, if you are willing to wait. Test for ammonia. Thats the key here. You should have some. Once it gets down to "0" you will be ready to test for nitrite once that drops to near "0" you should have nitrate. Test for that. If its higher than 10ppm, I would do a big water change so you start out with it around 10. If too high, the opertunistic ugly algae will grow too fast. You are now ready for a small fish or 2. Be sure to read about quarantine and fish to help prevent disease. Your tank will turn many colors, as it goes thru the ugly stage. After a few months things will settle down.
After a year it will be mature.

 

[Mallory86]

So my ammonia has spiked to .25, is that the initial spike that happens during the cycle?

 

[Mallory86]

Still new to this

 

[Cwentz758]

So my ammonia has spiked to .25, is that the initial spike that happens during the cycle?

Yup give it some days and it’ll eventually get to 0

 

[Cwentz758]

So once you see ammonia at 0 then you’ll test for Nitrite once that’s 0 youll test for Nitrate see where that is, as stated above if it’s above 10ppm do a big water change (15-20gal) for your tank and test again the next day. At that point you should be able to add a small fish or two. Something hardy, clownfish are a usual go to, damsels are another go to however they can be mean to other fish and nippy. You could say that about clownfish too some can be very bratty.

 

[lapin]

So my ammonia has spiked to .25, is that the initial spike that happens during the cycle?

That would be a start. You still need to add something to keep the bacteria growing. They need to multiply to a level, so when you add fish and feed them, the bacteria can process the ammonia instantly. The bacteria will turn it into nitrate.