Feeling hopeless

[Arod0416]

Hello everyone, I know I made a few threads about my water parameters but, that’s because I need quick feedback.
Here are my water parameters:
Salifert test kits
Magnesium: 0.06 (1410)
Phosphate: 1
Ammonia - 0.5
Alkanity- did not change color, went all the way to 0.0

Api test kits
Ph: 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm

I added dr tims on Sunday and did a water change this morning. Also, I added prime on Sunday as well.
Livestock:
goby
Clownfish
Tang
Chromis
Cleaner shrimp

live rock and dry rock was from previous tank that I had for 3 years. I cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide and rinsed it.
I have live caribsea sand and imagitarium ocean water for my 55 gallon tank.
Also, I have a canister.
Any advice because I am feeling a bit overwhelmed but, I guess that’s the fun thing about it... always improving to have a beautiful piece of art...

 

[Hemmdog]

Do a water change. Also I’d lower the white in your lights, your going to get algae like no-other with that spectrum.

 

[Reefnoobz90]

What salt do you use? I doubt your alk is over 15dkh, maybe take a sample to the LFS for a double check

 

[Arod0416]

Do a water change. Also I’d lower the white in your lights, your going to get algae like no-other with that spectrum.

You think I should have more blue than white, I have a current USA ic led lighting. I just got it today. The pic I sent was from yesterday. I think im going to do another water change tomorrow :/

 

[Arod0416]

What salt do you use? I doubt your alk is over 15dkh, maybe take a sample to the LFS for a double check

I use instant ocean sea salt. I am using the salifert alk testing and I am following the steps. I am surprised the color isn’t changing. I think im going to retest again

 

[Malifry97]

You think I should have more blue than white, I have a current USA ic led lighting. I just got it today. The pic I sent was from yesterday. I think im going to do another water change tomorrow :/

Yes more blue and less white

 

[Arod0416]

Yes more blue and less white

Thank you I just adjusted my lighting do you have any advice on my water parameters?

 

[Malifry97]

Thank you I just adjusted my lighting do you have any advice on my water parameters?

They seem funky, maybe retest. For ammonia, maybe a bottle of biospira

 

[krash7172]

Not sure what's up with your Alk reading but if you are doing proper water changes with a quality salt in a fish only tank, you shouldn't have to worry much about that. Considering that you put 6 fish in a non-cycled tank a week ago, things look pretty good. I think you are doing the right things. Keep an eye on the water and keep doing WCs.

 

[DarthSimon]

How old is this tank?

 

[Arod0416]

Not sure what's up with your Alk reading but if you are doing proper water changes with a quality salt in a fish only tank, you shouldn't have to worry much about that. Considering that you put 6 fish in a non-cycled tank a week ago, things look pretty good. I think you are doing the right things. Keep an eye on the water and keep doing WCs.

Thank you I appreciate the feedback. I looked at YouTube vids to see if I did the testing properly. I did a mistake on magnesium. The correct level is 1140. Every other testing is correct as well. I had two other people help me with test alkanity and there is still no change in color at all. I guess the salifert alkalinity test is bad.

But, your are right. I might be overthinking and trying to make things almost perfect since I skipped steps: I am just going to keep doing water changes and hope for the best.

by the way I would know my tank cycled when my ammonia is at 0 along with nitrate and nitrite being 0?

 

[RobW]

Ok, first things first. Api test kit... throw that in the trash. They are some of the worst test kits around. Look into red sea. There's are very easy to use and are pretty accurate. How long has this tank been set up and running? That's an awful lot of stuff to load in there if the tank is brand new. You need to let the cycle take its course. It does not happen over night. Nothing good in this hobby happens fast. Ease up on adding all types of additives as well. It will drive the tank all over the place. I agree with the others about the white color of the lights. Bluer in color will keep the green funk down. Let's face it, if your tank is that new, you are gonna go through the ugly stages to begin with. What type of water do you make your saltwater with? alkalinity is not really a worry because you only have fish. Calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium will become more of a focus as the tank ages and you start adding corals. Go slow. We are all here to help.

 

[RobW]

Thank you I appreciate the feedback. I looked at YouTube vids to see if I did the testing properly. I did a mistake on magnesium. The correct level is 1140. Every other testing is correct as well. I had two other people help me with test alkanity and there is still no change in color at all. I guess the salifert alkalinity test is bad.

But, your are right. I might be overthinking and trying to make things almost perfect since I skipped steps: I am just going to keep doing water changes and hope for the best.

by the way I would know my tank cycled when my ammonia is at 0 along with nitrate and nitrite being 0?

The nitrates don't have to be at absolute zero. Ammonia and nitrite yes. Those are bad. Nitrates at low levels are not going to hurt. Matter of fact, if you get absolutely zero nitrate and zero phosphate you could actually get outbreaks of dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria. I actually had a little bit of an issue with that in my sons nano tank because the water was to pristine. So I started feeding a bit more food and upgraded my clean up crew and it is regressing. Watch what types of food you feed as well. Frozen foods are better and have less garbage than say pellet or flaked foods. Look in a brand called LRS. They make some great frozen stuff. I mix multiple frozen items together. Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, LRS carnivore frenzy, herbivore frenzy, and reef frenzy. Bunch of happy campers in the tank.

 

[Arod0416]

Ok, first things first. Api test kit... throw that in the trash. They are some of the worst test kits around. Look into red sea. There's are very easy to use and are pretty accurate. How long has this tank been set up and running? That's an awful lot of stuff to load in there if the tank is brand new. You need to let the cycle take its course. It does not happen over night. Nothing good in this hobby happens fast. Ease up on adding all types of additives as well. It will drive the tank all over the place. I agree with the others about the white color of the lights. Bluer in color will keep the green funk down. Let's face it, if your tank is that new, you are gonna go through the ugly stages to begin with. What type of water do you make your saltwater with? alkalinity is not really a worry because you only have fish. Calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium will become more of a focus as the tank ages and you start adding corals. Go slow. We are all here to help.

Lol that made me laugh! I guess you all are right. I am just being overwhelmed and reading so many forums that I feel like my tank is not good enough. Patience is the key to success. So, I just should be patient and let things flow. I was looking into Red Sea and Hannah checkers test kits.

This tank been running with live caribsea and my previous rocks from my old tank (wash thoroughly) for about 2 months. Last Thursday I added livestock. And on Sunday I added dr tims one and only.

 

[RobW]

Keep an eye on the the gills of the fish too. If there is ammonia in the water it will burn the gills. They may look really red and irritated. Breathing may look labored. If they are swimming around, eating well, and out and about I think you will be just fine.

 

[Arod0416]

The nitrates don't have to be at absolute zero. Ammonia and nitrite yes. Those are bad. Nitrates at low levels are not going to hurt. Matter of fact, if you get absolutely zero nitrate and zero phosphate you could actually get outbreaks of dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria. I actually had a little bit of an issue with that in my sons nano tank because the water was to pristine. So I started feeding a bit more food and upgraded my clean up crew and it is regressing. Watch what types of food you feed as well. Frozen foods are better and have less garbage than say pellet or flaked foods. Look in a brand called LRS. They make some great frozen stuff. I mix multiple frozen items together. Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, LRS carnivore frenzy, herbivore frenzy, and reef frenzy. Bunch of happy campers in the tank.

I use hikari frozen food, also I give fried dried shrimp. My tang and cleaner shrimp love it. But, I do not over feed them. I put a cube of the frozen food and I break down the shrimp. The fish in my tank are actually happy. They eat when is feeding time and there’s no hard breathing. They swimming everywhere and chilling at certain spots.

 

[Arod0416]

Keep an eye on the the gills of the fish too. If there is ammonia in the water it will burn the gills. They may look really red and irritated. Breathing may look labored. If they are swimming around, eating well, and out and about I think you will be just fine.

Yeah they swimming well and eating. There’s no discolorations or any burning in the gills or even weird things on them. I am just going to do the water change and take it day by day. I think ima lay off with testing the water and just look out for the ph and salinity of the water.

 

[RobW]

Lol that made me laugh! I guess you all are right. I am just being overwhelmed and reading so many forums that I feel like my tank is not good enough. Patience is the key to success. So, I just should be patient and let things flow. I was looking into Red Sea and Hannah checkers test kits.

This tank been running with live caribsea and my previous rocks from my old tank (wash thoroughly) for about 2 months. Last Thursday I added livestock. And on Sunday I added dr tims one and only.

Ok, so the tank is 2 months old then. Guess I missed that part earlier. You used dry rock from your old tank you said. You washed it with peroxide. Dry rock takes a bit to cure. 6-8 weeks roughly. Best way to cure dry rock is to throw it in a big trash can fill it with saltwater and add a heater and a little pump for circulation. Then when you start the tank you now have "live rock!" Once the natural bacteria in your tank starts to colonize and can keep up with the load you have in the tank, things will swing into check.

 

[RobW]

Yeah they swimming well and eating. There’s no discolorations or any burning in the gills or even weird things on them. I am just going to do the water change and take it day by day. I think ima lay off with testing the water and just look out for the ph and salinity of the water.

Just 10% water change per week. Make sure it is ro/di water.

 

[Arod0416]

Ok, so the tank is 2 months old then. Guess I missed that part earlier. You used dry rock from your old tank you said. You washed it with peroxide. Dry rock takes a bit to cure. 6-8 weeks roughly. Best way to cure dry rock is to throw it in a big trash can fill it with saltwater and add a heater and a little pump for circulation. Then when you start the tank you now have "live rock!" Once the natural bacteria in your tank starts to colonize and can keep up with the load you have in the tank, things will swing into check.

Isn’t it similar to throw the dry rock into my new tank that is filled with saltwater Which already has a heater and circulation pump? If so, it’s been running like that for 2 months before I added livestock