My first reef tank - complete newbie, please advise

[lost66]

Hi
I had few threads asking this and that and I noticed the further I am the more questions I have so I decided to create thread as a log for my tank, ask questions here.
So I bought a tank, it's around 80g and I made a custom sump, 29g with 3 sections - sock with skimmer, refugium with xport brick and return with pump. I also have UV which is off right now while I am adding Stabilize.

My dream is to have mixed tank with clowns, cardinals and other fish like that. Soft corals at the beginning, leaning towards LPS or SPS if I won't fail in this hobby.

I started cycling 5 weeks ago and I got confirmation from few sources that my tank has finished initial cycle and I am ready to go. Few days ago I removed some diatom from rocks and sand and I did around 20% of water change.
I have few test kits but for basic parameters like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph I use freshwater API test kit since I have also freshwater tank.

Today I tested water:
alkalinity - 9
ph - 8.2
ammonia - 0.25 (using API test kit, I realize it is likely to be false reading)
nitrite max of scale (again API test kit and what I read nitrite are harmless in marine tank)
nitrate 40-80 (it is hard to read from this API test kit)
phosphate 0
magnesium 1410
salinity 1.026
temperature 79f
I didn't test CA since I won't have any corals for a while.

I introduced a CUC today - 10 blue hermit crabs, 2 emerald crabs (my favorite, absolutely amazing creatures!), 5 Nassarius snails and 5 Trochus snails. This is not final version of my CUC but I wanted to start slowly, next week I might get more of these creatures and maybe a shrimp.

I am concerned about high nitrate level and I have a feeling that it will be worse since I have plenty of nitrite (or at least my test shows that) and they will be eventually converted to nitrates. Do you recommend water change like 50% or something do dilute it?
What would be the best approach for next steps? I am trying to find chaeto in my area (raleigh, nc) to start refugium and to have a solid solution to reduce nitrate in the future.

 

[lkriley]

I think the best thing you could do right now is to purchase test kits for saltwater. If you start making changes based on a freshwater testing kit you could be in for a disaster. If they were interchangeable they would not be specifically made differently. You are doing awesome in your patience and going slow. That is the key to success. 50% water change is pretty drastic. I mean if you have a disease in the tank, or dying corals I could see this, but at this point you really do not even know the truth of your tank. @lost66 please just get the proper testing equipment, or take a decent size sample of water to you LFS to test for you. I wish you lots of luck on your exciting journey that is just beginning.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Nitrates will probably remain high while you still have nitrite in your system. I also agree with getting a saltwater test kit. After you get the new test kit, then we will be able to make better recommendations for you.

 

[lost66]

I think the best thing you could do right now is to purchase test kits for saltwater. If you start making changes based on a freshwater testing kit you could be in for a disaster. If they were interchangeable they would not be specifically made differently. You are doing awesome in your patience and going slow. That is the key to success. 50% water change is pretty drastic. I mean if you have a disease in the tank, or dying corals I could see this, but at this point you really do not even know the truth of your tank. @lost66 please just get the proper testing equipment, or take a decent size sample of water to you LFS to test for you. I wish you lots of luck on your exciting journey that is just beginning.

I took a water sample to my LFS. This is one of the best fish store in Raleigh area and they used the same test kits and have the same results as I have.

 

[ccombs]

Congrats on the tank and good job taking it slow.

The test kit thing is confusing me, the store tested your saltwater with a fresh kit as well?

Nitrite is harmful in a marine tank, high nitrates are a thing of debate between reefers, plenty of successful tanks with higher nitrates. Nitrate tests read higher on test kits when nitrite is present. If you have high nitrite, I don't think your cycle is done. Have you added any beneficial bacteria or anything like that? How did you go about cycling your tank.

 

[lkriley]

I took a water sample to my LFS. This is one of the best fish store in Raleigh area and they used the same test kits and have the same results as I have.

I hope it all works out for you. If you are worried about the nitrate you could use different products to reduce it. There is API StressZyme, or Brightwell MicroBacter7 (recommend this one), I know it works from experience. I'm sure there are plenty more out there. Basically they just enhance your bio filter.

 

[html]

What will your clean up crew eat? It looks they will be starving

 

[lost66]

I have no idea if they used salt water or fresh water tests. They asked what water is that sample and they just used API tests as far as I can tell.

 

[Red_Beard]

I would say you aren’t quite through cycling if you still have high nitrites. Cycles are basically 2 step, one bacteria than converts ammonia to nitrite, and another that takes nitrites to nitrates(probably more to it but that is totally boiled down). Gotta get them both cultured. Sounds like you are just about there though as I have noticed the second step usually goes quicker.

As for the test kits, I also have the api freshwater kits for my planted tank and bought the saltwater master kit too when I set up my first sw tank. I was curious what the difference between the two were so I started looking at them, and doggonit if they don’t have the EXACT same stuff in them, down to the part number inked on the bottle. Just thought I would put that out to you as an FYI. If you are going to get new kits, don’t waste your money repurchasing something you already have.

 

[lost66]

What will your clean up crew eat? It looks they will be starving

Some of these rocks have algae and crabs started to eat, at least it looks like that. Snails eat algae from the glass (hard to see in the picture I made). But I am about supplementing them with sea weeds and mysis as other LFS where I bought CUC told me I should do.

 

[lost66]

Congrats on the tank and good job taking it slow.

The test kit thing is confusing me, the store tested your saltwater with a fresh kit as well?

Nitrite is harmful in a marine tank, high nitrates are a thing of debate between reefers, plenty of successful tanks with higher nitrates. Nitrate tests read higher on test kits when nitrite is present. If you have high nitrite, I don't think your cycle is done. Have you added any beneficial bacteria or anything like that? How did you go about cycling your tank.

At the beginning I added API Quick Start but when for few weeks nothing happened I started to add Stabilize and I am doing this for few days already. I don't know about nitrites, there are many sources saying nitrites are not that harmful. For instance this article http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm. I got the same version on this forum and check other forums as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Add bacteria supplement every 3 days at 1-2 ml . Will keep numbers in check
Welcome to the R2R community and we’re glad you joined us !!

 

[Fishko]

Hi
I had few threads asking this and that and I noticed the further I am the more questions I have so I decided to create thread as a log for my tank, ask questions here.
So I bought a tank, it's around 80g and I made a custom sump, 29g with 3 sections - sock with skimmer, refugium with xport brick and return with pump. I also have UV which is off right now while I am adding Stabilize.

My dream is to have mixed tank with clowns, cardinals and other fish like that. Soft corals at the beginning, leaning towards LPS or SPS if I won't fail in this hobby.

I started cycling 5 weeks ago and I got confirmation from few sources that my tank has finished initial cycle and I am ready to go. Few days ago I removed some diatom from rocks and sand and I did around 20% of water change.
I have few test kits but for basic parameters like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph I use freshwater API test kit since I have also freshwater tank.

Today I tested water:
alkalinity - 9
ph - 8.2
ammonia - 0.25 (using API test kit, I realize it is likely to be false reading)
nitrite max of scale (again API test kit and what I read nitrite are harmless in marine tank)
nitrate 40-80 (it is hard to read from this API test kit)
phosphate 0
magnesium 1410
salinity 1.026
temperature 79f
I didn't test CA since I won't have any corals for a while.

I introduced a CUC today - 10 blue hermit crabs, 2 emerald crabs (my favorite, absolutely amazing creatures!), 5 Nassarius snails and 5 Trochus snails. This is not final version of my CUC but I wanted to start slowly, next week I might get more of these creatures and maybe a shrimp.

I am concerned about high nitrate level and I have a feeling that it will be worse since I have plenty of nitrite (or at least my test shows that) and they will be eventually converted to nitrates. Do you recommend water change like 50% or something do dilute it?
What would be the best approach for next steps? I am trying to find chaeto in my area (raleigh, nc) to start refugium and to have a solid solution to reduce nitrate in the future.

I recomend the nyos nitrate test kit accurate and very easy read out. Brs made a video regarding this

 

[ccombs]

At the beginning I added API Quick Start but when for few weeks nothing happened I started to add Stabilize and I am doing this for few days already. I don't know about nitrites, there are many sources saying nitrites are not that harmful. For instance this article http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm. I got the same version on this forum and check other forums as well.

I am not saying you are wrong, I have just never heard of that before, I will check out the article.

 

[lkriley]

I think balance is the key. You are obviously trying to do the right thing. The problem is there is so much conflicting information out there. But, the basics are that Ammonia needs to turn to Nitrite, which then needs to turn to Nitrate, which then needs to reduce. Your tank is not to that point quite yet. It is very close, but not there. If you can be patient just a bit longer it will pay off in the long run. It is really that simple. Your water parameters are telling this story. If they are indeed correct as you believe they are. I am not trying to doubt this, just trying to be realistic here. You can proceed as you wish obviously. You will benefit the most by just waiting out the cycle for a few more days. You are so close, it would be a shame to jump in just yet. No one here wants anything but the best for you and your new tank. Lastly, remember every time you add a new item to your tank it upsets the cycle and you have to adapt. That is why you will hear over and over go slow. Honest advise in the most genuine form.

 

[html]

when you think ready put 1 cheep fish and wait for 2 weeks

 

[lost66]

I went to my LFS which sells only saltwater goods and they had Seachem nitrite and nitrate test in one. I tested water and it looks like both nitrite and nitrate are on the max level. I am using Seachem Stability for few days already, instruction says it is save for animals until this liquid is in use.
Any ideas what should be next step? Water change? If so, how much?

 

[Intense37754]

I would put some fish food or something to feed your CUC and at the same time feed your bacteria (ghost feed) which in turn will drop your ammonia to 0 then your nitrite to 0 after your tank is fully cycled, then you’ll watch you nitrates drop as well. Would not add fish till your nitrite is closer to 0 and nitrates are less than 30

 

[Intense37754]

Oh I forgot...a significant water change before adding fish 1 or 2 at a time to continue building your bacteria

 

[YMRreefer]

Doesn't look like your cycle is done yet.
1. Get a marine Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test kit for sure. I'm not sure I would do anything else right now except maybe return the CUC and turn the lights off.
2. Ammonia and Nitrite will read 0 when tank is cycled. Test Nitrite every 3 days or so till you get there. Could take a while as the bacteria takes MUCH longer to process nitrite (step 1) than ammonia (step 2) IME.
3. Once ammonia and nitrite read 0. Do a waterchange (10-20%) or 2 until you get nitrates down to 0-10.
4. I wouldn't rely on Chaeto as an export this early in the game. Feel free to try but I have a feeling it will just melt. Maybe try some Ulva or Ogo or better yet wait a month or so to fire up the refugium.
5. After you have Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0 and Nitrates=0-10 range. Add a fish! Wait a week or so between fish additions to let the bacteria population catch up to tank load.