Is my tank ready

[bradenr]

I know this is a very newbie question but i have to ask. So i set up a new 120 gallon reef tank. Im going to be moving everything over from my 29 gallon reef over to the bigger home. I do not know if she is ready or not.

I have a 120 gallon reef tank
180lbs live rock
80lbs live sand
40B sump with Refugium and skimmer.

SG:1.026
Temp:78
Amm:0
NO2:0
NO3:50
PH:8.13

I put the live rock and live sand in about 5 weeks ago. It was live rock i got from a friend and it was in brute trashcans from an old build. So i figured it was 100% cured. I never got an ammonia spike, so i added a deli shrimp for a week. Still never got a spike. so a week later i went to ace hardware and bought 10/90 ammonia and added 8ml to the tank. I got a reading two hours after adding if of 2.5. The next day i tested my water and ammonia was 0. So im guessing my aerobic bacteria is there, but my NO3 are really high so i am guessing that the anaerobic bacteria is not enough yet. Is the tank finished cycling or should i wait.
Thanks

 

[Bronc]

Looks ok to me!

 

[Dom]

I know this is a very newbie question but i have to ask. So i set up a new 120 gallon reef tank. Im going to be moving everything over from my 29 gallon reef over to the bigger home. I do not know if she is ready or not.

I have a 120 gallon reef tank
180lbs live rock
80lbs live sand
40B sump with Refugium and skimmer.

SG:1.026
Temp:78
Amm:0
NO2:0
NO3:50
PH:8.13

I put the live rock and live sand in about 5 weeks ago. It was live rock i got from a friend and it was in brute trashcans from an old build. So i figured it was 100% cured. I never got an ammonia spike, so i added a deli shrimp for a week. Still never got a spike. so a week later i went to ace hardware and bought 10/90 ammonia and added 8ml to the tank. I got a reading two hours after adding if of 2.5. The next day i tested my water and ammonia was 0. So im guessing my aerobic bacteria is there, but my NO3 are really high so i am guessing that the anaerobic bacteria is not enough yet. Is the tank finished cycling or should i wait.
Thanks

An NO3 of 50 seems high, especially in a 120 gal tank (+ sump). If it is the size of your anaerobic bacteria colony, maybe supplement with bottled bacteria?

 

[bradenr]

An NO3 of 50 seems high, especially in a 120 gal tank (+ sump). If it is the size of your anaerobic bacteria colony, maybe supplement with bottled bacteria?

Yeah i know it is high and that is why i dont think i have enough anaerobic bacteria to break it down. I dont have anything in my sump but equipment. What kind of bottled bacteria has anaerobic bacteria in it??? Maybe aerobic but never seen bottle anaerobic

 

[Dom]

Yeah i know it is high and that is why i dont think i have enough anaerobic bacteria to break it down. I dont have anything in my sump but equipment. What kind of bottled bacteria has anaerobic bacteria in it??? Maybe aerobic but never seen bottle anaerobic

Clearly you know more about this hobby than I do! LOL

I didn't know that about bottled bacteria. Sorry; just trying to help.

 

[bradenr]

Clearly you know more about this hobby than I do! LOL

I didn't know that about bottled bacteria. Sorry; just trying to help.

Haha no worries at all. I know you are trying to help and i thank you. There are two different type of bacteria our tanks needs to operate. Aerobic(on live rock and sand and what not, breaks down ammonia) and then there is anaerobic(deep in the rock and in sand bed in low oxygen to break down NO3. That is why i think it is high, is that i do not have enough anaerobic bacteria but i dont know what to do. Hahah i want my fish home with me and not at my parents house. Haha
Thanks

 

[Rory's Reef]

Do you have any macro algae in your fuge?

 

[bradenr]

Do you have any macro algae in your fuge?

I am picking up some chaeto

 

[Rory's Reef]

I am picking up some chaeto

That will help reduce the nitrates. Just set your sump light to run opposite your display tank lights. It will also help keep the pH levels more stable during the night.

You're aerobic bacteria will convert the ammonia to nitrite and then again to nitrate, but the anaerobic bacteria that can convert nitrates to free nitrogen that is then released in the air cannot survive in high oxygenated environments (like our aquariums) which is why you won't find it in bottled form. So, for the removal of nitrates we rely on routine water changes, biological filters, skimmers, and media.

 

[bradenr]

That will help reduce the nitrates. Just set your sump light to run opposite your display tank lights. It will also help keep the pH levels more stable during the night.

You're aerobic bacteria will convert the ammonia to nitrite and then again to nitrate, but the anaerobic bacteria that can convert nitrates to free nitrogen that is then released in the air cannot survive in high oxygenated environments (like our aquariums) which is why you won't find it in bottled form. So, for the removal of nitrates we rely on routine water changes, biological filters, skimmers, and media.

Perfect, Thank you... I run a 15% water change every two weeks, i have my live rock and what not as my biological filter, i run a reef octopus skimmer 24/7. What media do i need to be running. I run GFO and Carbon. Thanks

 

[Rory's Reef]

Perfect, Thank you... I run a 15% water change every two weeks, i have my live rock and what not as my biological filter, i run a reef octopus skimmer 24/7. What media do i need to be running. I run GFO and Carbon. Thanks

Everything sounds great. As far as media goes, theres tons of different things you can do and try. I'm looking into some new ones myself. GFO and Carbon is good. I would go with what you're doing and as you learn more you can implement new things or change things up to fit the needs of your tank.