New here peeps!!! Need help really bad!!!

[PerplexyHexy]

 

[PerplexyHexy]

 

[PerplexyHexy]

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Using bluelab ppm meter which is well reputable company in socal for hydroponics

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Reads 0 on water

 

[CarrieB]

I still think a big water change would provide some data, but you might want to get through your cycle first because you'd remove all the ammonia and nitrite, too.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Also have a sponge growing on some rock... Thats what it looks like... Hahahah!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

I dont know what to do... Like I said... LFS said to dose 100g of ROWA-phis in media reactor and also use 2-3Ml of redsea NoPox

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Im doing my reasearch... So frustrating... Dont know what to do

 

[CarrieB]

Nothing good happens fast in reefing.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Current reading:
Salinity- 1.025
Ammonia- 0
Nitrate- 5.0
Nitrite- 0
PH- 8.3

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Cycling for 2 weeks now

 

[PerplexyHexy]

All the liverock I put in has diatoms now... The old dryrock I have has no diatoms on it

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes, didn't mean to sound impatient. I just type too slow on my phone.

yoU ShOhlde see whst haappens on MY phoney

 

[jsker]

Thank has been setup for two week? May I suggest to step back and let the system settle in for another two weeks. Do a 20% weekly water change for the next two weeks. Then the algae will start settling in. Drop in a cleaning crew. Let the the system continue cycling and by adding the clean crew to start establishing a bio load. At about 8 weeks you might think about adding a coral but not fish yet.
Your parameters are going to bounce around for the first 6 to 9 months with different changes you make. Look into the balling method this will make you life easier in regards to the over all dosing and reef health.

 

[jsker]

double post

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So here's the deal. In the hobby theres a million ways to skin a cat. so The lfs was not far off.

Nitrate and Phosphate are nutrients. Youll hear a lot about that. Nitrate is dissolved organics and floats around in the water. Phosphate(or the kind we refer to in reefing) binds to rock and sand. Over time it builds up on the rock and sand. so old sand and rock can have high levels of Po bound to it. There are many ways to remove it.
The Nopox beefs up the bacteria in the tank to eat it bascily. BUT theres no bacteria or bacterial cycle in your tank to do that right now.
The rowaphos contains GFO Granular ferric oxide polymer . It binds the Po little by little from the water then from the surface of the rock.
OR can you dip it in an acid bath and burn the outer layer of the rock off.
Or you add a chemical called Lantham chloride. Ive never had to use it, I dont know all of the effects esp in a newer tank*probably harmless in my experiences here. but I would not recommend it to a new aquarist.

so when you have GFO in the system its removing the po from the water so making your test inaccurate. Some like to know the true number but I dont think it will matter to you except to know that it is getting lower.

In my Opinion. The high phosphate wont affect the cycle. In fact high phosphate is highly contested subject right now in coral science period. But as you just starting the tank it wouldnt hurt to treat the Po problem.

EDIT Because its Old used rock and leaching is a concern.

Lets go back to some of the choices. You should make one. I would ditch the RX. I dont know the Po removal rate of Roaphos verses other GFO. But what it will do is slowly lower the Po over the next several weeks. In a week or so I would change out the GFO for new(rinse well) you should slowly see po numbers decline. Once the number get to reasonable level, pull the GFO and wait a day or two test again and then decide if you need to keep using it.

My self I dont use it, my numbers are acceptable. I dont worry much about Po any more, but, your starting a new tank so while you have time you might as well take care of it.

 

[Surfandturf]

If the tank has only been cycling for 2 weeks, I would sit back, relax, and let it do its thing for at least 2 more weeks. I wouldn't even test the water. The best thing to do is figure out a stocking budget and start researching the animals that you want to put in your tank. If you rush this it could cause you problems for far longer than the two or three more weeks to let it stabilize. Researching what you want to stock with before hand will really save you a lot of playing catch up as well.

 

[tj w]

First, Welcome! We are really glad you are here. Next, as has been said. I would let the tank cycle for a few more weeks and then test to see where you are at. I'm a firm believer in running the KISS method. If you are using dry rock it definitely can be releasing PO. But if u acid washed it and let it cure it should be minimal. Take your time and research. It's well worth it. We both have similar backgrounds coming from sports. This hobby has become my release big time. There's much to be said to become a successful reefer. Its well worth it. Please keep posting and let us know what u need. Good luck.