Brought home 75 gallon tank

[sbrodacz]

A customer of mine gave me their saltwater tank yesterday. They kept the fish but gave me everything else. I got it running yesterday. I used to have a 150 gallon reef tank with a bunch of coral, fish, eels. I even had a stingray and nurse shark in it for a few weeks so I'm not a complete newbie. It's been 6 plus years. I really have to relearn everything.

This was taken tight after setting it up. A little cloudy.

Next morning (today)

 

[sbrodacz]

Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sbrodacz]

I do have one question. Since the tank was running for years I should be able to start slowly putting things in? It was down for maybe 10-12 hours and then set back up. Rock was kept in a little of water in a cobra we with a wet paper towel on top.

 

[gaz]

You will probably still need to cycle the tank because of moving all the sand and LR will cause a ammonia spike but cycling shouldn't take as long granted.first off get some ammonia and nitrite test kits

 

[sbrodacz]

You will probably still need to cycle the tank because of moving all the sand and LR will cause a ammonia spike but cycling shouldn't take as long granted.first off get some ammonia and nitrite test kits

I have some from awhile back. Hopefully they're still good.

 

[sbrodacz]

Not sure if anyone can tell by the picture but it seems like the protein skimmer is not doing anything. The pump is working. There are two fittings on the bump one had a hose on it and the other didn't. If I remember right there was another hose off of the protein skimmer the previous owner had going into what looked like a bucket full of Alage. Any ideas?

 

[sbrodacz]

Nvm figured the protein skimmer out.

 

[gaz]

yeah I was going to say the bucket was probably just for extra skimmate but as long as it's sorted

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing your tank coming together.

 

[sbrodacz]

yeah I was going to say the bucket was probably just for extra skimmate but as long as it's sorted

I didn't figure the bucket part out but I did get the protein skimmer to work. It was bubbling or anything. They didn't have the air hose connected.

I noticed there's actually a coral in the tank already. Seems to be doing pretty well. We are going to go to a local salt water tank store and grab a couple of fish, snails and maybe a coral.

This was taken from last night. It looks even better today.

 

[gaz]

Looks like a zoa easy to keep softie good starter coral. Have you tested your ammonia and nitrite yet?

 

[sbrodacz]

Looks like a zoa easy to keep softie good starter coral. Have you tested your ammonia and nitrite yet?

I'm surprised it didn't die. It was In a box without water in the cold all day. I didn't know.

I did. Everything came back good.

 

[sbrodacz]

How much water should I take out on a 75 gallon tank for water changes?

 

[sbrodacz]

Not sure if you guys can tell from the picture but what is this? Is it another coral? Middle.

 

[gcrawford]

Recommend taking it slow and allow everything to stabilize. Once things are stable you'll be able to slowly add life.

 

[gaz]

Not sure if you guys can tell from the picture but what is this? Is it another coral? Middle.

Can't really tell what that is from the pic. So was it all 0 on ammonia and nitrite then? That's surprising! I would maybe leave it for at least a week and test again just to make sure and if everything's good then look at adding one hardy fish if anything. As you've had a salty before you know how important it is to go slow. I forgot to ask how big was the nurse shark and Ray you had in a 150g?

 

[gaz]

For your other question I would start off with 10-20% of the water per week and see how the tank goes. Are you going to buy RODI water from you LFS or make it yourself?

 

[sbrodacz]

Can't really tell what that is from the pic. So was it all 0 on ammonia and nitrite then? That's surprising! I would maybe leave it for at least a week and test again just to make sure and if everything's good then look at adding one hardy fish if anything. As you've had a salty before you know how important it is to go slow. I forgot to ask how big was the nurse shark and Ray you had in a 150g?

The nurse shark was a baby. Small. Was holding it for a couple of weeks for someone. He was a lot of fun though. Very friendly. The Ray was small toon maybe 4" around

 

[sbrodacz]

For your other question I would start off with 10-20% of the water per week and see how the tank goes. Are you going to buy RODI water from you LFS or make it yourself?

I'll make it. I have to buy filters and everything for it. I wish I still had my old one.

 

[sbrodacz]

I may go with something like this http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...mpid=03csegb&gclid=CJDVzeGtx8gCFQmJaQod3F8ACw

I need to attach it under the sink