New tank

rferraro21 · Mar 12, 2017

72 gallon bowfront, got it used, was dry for a few days. Now I have water, and it came with a live rock and sand that was in there. Found a snail creeping around, must have been in the sand. Daily testing shows ammonia between 6 and 8, and some nitrates. I am wondering if I can get the rest of a clean up crew, snails and hermits. Or should I just wait till after nitrite spike.

Sandroni · Mar 12, 2017

You might want to wait, see how that snail does first with everything going on.

rferraro21 · Mar 12, 2017

AndysReef said:
You might want to wait, see how that snail does first with everything going on.

Thanks, my very first tank, I'm anxious to get stuff in there but I know it's important to cycle. Have 50lbs dry reef saver rock coming this week so that will give me something to do

Jason mack · Mar 12, 2017

I'd wait till your ammonia is at 0 ... if it's reading what you said between 6 and 8 .. if that's ppm you've got a lot of die off on your live rock .. or did you mean 0.6 and 0.8. .. either way it needs too be 0 before you add cuc !welcome and happy reefing ..

Jason mack · Mar 12, 2017

Reading that again I now realise you have reused the sand ..you said the tank was dry for a couple of days ,, what happened too the live rock and the sand in that time, using that sand might not have been a good idea .. which could also explain why you now read 6 -8. Ammonia ..

rferraro21 · Mar 12, 2017

The rock was just sitting in the dry tank, the sand was in a bucket with water

rferraro21 · Mar 12, 2017

I'm gonna drop in some bio boost to try and get things going as well

Jason mack · Mar 12, 2017

Ok , so you will definitely get some die off on the rocks .. no problem .. the sand ... how long was it in the tank before it got taken down .? Was it washed ? Did you wash it ? If not then all the detritus that was in the sand will have been disturbed.. releasing all the ammonia again when you've put it in the tank again ... my advice would be too add a bottle of bacteria.. dr tims .. or something like that .. test for ammonia !! This needs too be 0 .. then you will get a nitrite spike then nitrate .. the key too success in this hobby is patience ... and research.. so be patient.. let your tank cycle , and use the time too research .. there's some great threads too follow on here .. good luck !! Need help or have questions .. just post on here .. always someone too answer and give you advice !!!
Oohhh and we love too see those pics of your tank !!!

rferraro21 · Mar 12, 2017

Thank you, I'm just gonna put the rock in when it gets here, some bio boost, and let it sit, do I need to do water changes while cycling or not until start seeing nitrates? Also should I run a protein skimmer before it's cycled or wait?

Jason mack · Mar 12, 2017

I'd definitely run your skimmer while it cycles .. and I'd leave the water change till you get a nitrate spike .. after you see your nitrites go down .. this is going too take anything between 6 -10 weeks .. probably and maybe ev n longer when you add your new dry rock .. clean it first and try to get as much dead things off as you can sponges crabs that sort of things that hide give it a good shake out too .. clean it with rodi water then get it in your tank .. it will probably take a couple of weeks too get your ammonia down ... then a couple more for nitrites and a few more for nitrates .. then new tank syndrome .. diatom bloom .. then green hair .. nothing good happens fast in a reef tank , patience, patience, patience,

rferraro21 · Mar 12, 2017

I'm getting dry reef saver, I think I read that it should have no dead anything in it, I'll still hit it with my power washer to get off any dust etc. I just tested and got nitrites for the first time and ammonia came down. I tested right after I put the bio boost in so I don't think it had time to act that fast.

Jason mack · Mar 12, 2017

You've started a fantastic journey.. it can seem overwhelming sometimes with all the information and things we must learn , not just the chemistry of our tanks but flow and lighting , placement of corals , compatibility of both fish and corals and inverts . plus all the amazing corals and fish .. we wish too stock ... we have a wealth of knowledge and experience at our finger tips here on R2R ...
welcome and happy reefing !!!!

Swoody · Mar 12, 2017

Jason Mack has given you good information to go on. Taking your time and having patience will really help you in this hobby! Relax and enjoy the ride!! Good luck and welcome to R2R!