new to forum

[branchconcepts]

Hi,

New to the forum! And saltwater aquariums!

Possibly was mislead or misunderstood LFS. This past weekend i began setting up a 29G oceanic biocube for saltwater. LFS sold me 10lbs of live rock and some smaller rocks that was placed into a meah bag and inserted into filter and also 2 bags of live sand. Oh and also salt. So they informed me of the process of setting up the tank and so i followed there lead. Tank is setup now. My question is regarding water? I mixed my saltwater using Tap water and from some research over the weekend "I" see that is a major NO NO for the fact of the TDS number being to high (not zero). So am i SOL or will the tank survive with me using tap water? Im here to read and learn, so i look forward to your input. Thanks in advance!

 

[underwaterdan]

It'll likely be fine in my opinion but you'll have very high phosphates.... You did use a conditioner or declorinator though right?

 

[melypr1985]

Sweety, you just set that tank up and there's nothing in it. I would just drain it and mix up new saltwater using RODI water. You can actually buy premade saltwater or just RODI from your LFS. You'll avoid some of those phosphate issues by getting that nasty water out first thing. The heavy metals and such that are in your Tap water are so bad for your future critters.

By the way.... Welcome to R2R!!! You'll get so much help here that you'll never need to take your LFS's advice again lol.

 

[underwaterdan]

Sweety, you just set that tank up and there's nothing in it. I would just drain it and mix up new saltwater using RODI water. You can actually buy premade saltwater or just RODI from your LFS. You'll avoid some of those phosphate issues by getting that nasty water out first thing. The heavy metals and such that are in your Tap water are so bad for your future critters.

By the way.... Welcome to R2R!!! You'll get so much help here that you'll never need to take your LFS's advice again lol.

+1 minus the sweety part...

 

[branchconcepts]

Correct, i did use a dechlorinator and another product SEED that in to use eveyday as directed on the bottle to cycle the tank. Was suggested to give it 2 weeks then come back to the LFS for water testing.

I have a large Koi pond in my yard so im "generally" familiar with water parameters and such. But my koi pond is 14 years old and self sufficient for the most part.

Any other items or actions i should take to ensure success of the tank?

Again thanks for the input!

 

[chaoha]

Imo I would dump it and start over with RODI . You most likely will have issues with algae.

 

[branchconcepts]

So is the live sand and live rock toast being that it has sat in the tap water?

 

[cameronh]

I agree, empty it out and mix your own=) and I'm sure your lfs will be more than happy to make it for you. I use reverse osmosis. Welcome to the forum! Ask all the questions you need!

 

[melypr1985]

So is the live sand and live rock toast being that it has sat in the tap water?

They arn't toast. Just empty as much water out as you can and replace it with the new RODI saltwater. That way you've gotten as much of the Tap out as possible. Cycle your tank as normal then make sure to use RODI water with every water change and with your top off water. Remember, you're tank will evaporate water out but the salt will remain, so you have to top off the tank with fresh rodi water every day.

 

[branchconcepts]

Thanks for the input and advise. I will dump it tomorrow and go purchase a RO filter system to use now and in the future. I have plans for a much larger tank in my basement so the filter system will certainly be used...

Thanks again!

 

[Diesel]

Sweety, you just set that tank up and there's nothing in it. I would just drain it and mix up new saltwater using RODI water. You can actually buy premade saltwater or just RODI from your LFS. You'll avoid some of those phosphate issues by getting that nasty water out first thing. The heavy metals and such that are in your Tap water are so bad for your future critters.

By the way.... Welcome to R2R!!! You'll get so much help here that you'll never need to take your LFS's advice again lol.

She called you sweetie but all she said is the best thing to do in order to prevent you from MAJOR pain in the rear.
After you done so read up on cycling your tank and get yourself some test kits, try to avoid the API

 

[branchconcepts]

So, i drained the tank and replaced the saltwater with RO filtered water. It has been 7 days since the refill and i have NO readings for water parameters. Is this normal? I SEED the tank daily per instructions on the bottle and per LFS advice.

Again tank is 29g coralife biocube with 10lbs live rock, 2 bags of live sand. Maxijet 1200 pump & jebao wp-10 wave maker. Also some small rock substrate bagged in the filteration system to make up for live rock.

Is this normal? Should i see any spike by this point? Im in no hurry, just curious to learn is all. As mentioned above i have plans for much larger tank in my basement.

 

[melypr1985]

So, i drained the tank and replaced the saltwater with RO filtered water. It has been 7 days since the refill and i have NO readings for water parameters. Is this normal? I SEED the tank daily per instructions on the bottle and per LFS advice.

Again tank is 29g coralife biocube with 10lbs live rock, 2 bags of live sand. Maxijet 1200 pump & jebao wp-10 wave maker. Also some small rock substrate bagged in the filteration system to make up for live rock.

Is this normal? Should i see any spike by this point? Im in no hurry, just curious to learn is all. As mentioned above i have plans for much larger tank in my basement.

Have you added an ammonia source? You can add actual ammonia or a raw table shrimp or fish food ect.

 

[branchconcepts]

No, ive not. The LFS sold me the SEED product pictured in my post and said thats all i was to add to the tank. Was this not the correct approach?

 

[branchconcepts]

No, ive not. The LFS sold me the SEED product pictured in my post and said thats all i was to add to the tank. Was this not the correct approach?

 

[Diesel]

With no ammonia source your bacteria has nothing to eat and will die.
As Meredith (I like that name) said you need a source, just straight ammonia works but probably you need maybe 1ml to start the process.

 

[branchconcepts]

Thanks, i dosed the tank with 1ml of straight amonia and am now getting a reading of somewhere between .25-.50ppm. Hard to be certain, the greenish color is strangely close to one another or im becoming color blind.... at this point i wait? What should i look for? Nitrite reading?

Thanks for the info, this site has been a wealth of knowledge...

 

[Diesel]

A drop in nitrite and ammonia after 24hrs.
Dose again ammonia this time only a 0.5ml, and see if it drops again.
If so wait till it gets close to 0.0, than do a WC and it will be ready for one small fish.

 

[steve&mari]

Welcome and looks like she has given you great information to follow. Hopefully you enjoy your new adventure into the hobby. Sorry to say but most lfs don't give the best of advice so finding a good one helps. Remember we're always here to help so ask anything you want.