New to Saltwater-Questions

coronarex · Oct 3, 2017

Hello everyone! My name is Keith. This is my first SW tank. I have several planet tanks and have finally come to the dark side lol It is a Nuvo 30L by IM. I purchased it from a plastic surgeon that decided to leave the hobby. I went a couple days before restarting the tank. I left the rock in a 20 gallon big trash can w/ water, heater, and pump to preserve the bacteria and limit the cycling time. However, I don't think it work lol. It has been running for about 3 weeks. One morning I woke up to cloudy water, that has since subsided greatly but I am left with white like cobwebs flowing from the rock. Is this a bacteria bloom? I did a 25-30% yesterday. How often should I do WC while cycling? I read every two weeks? Should I add ammonia to feed the cycle? I have both Red Sea and ReefCrystal, should I stick with RS? I am using RODI water, chemi pure blue and purigen, and a sponge in the top compartment of my filter housing. I have a slim skim protein skimmer by hydor also. I read that carbon should only be ran 5 days per month, am I right to do this? Should I ditch the sponge filter and use filter floss? Are there benefits to this and where can I purchase? I have several invertebrates, only 2 snails and 2 crabs. Is it okay to added more right now? Also my tank is bare-bottom as I want the coralline algae to take over, I personally think its beautiful. If being patient is the answer to many of my questions as Im sure it is, I do not mind, I'll drink a beer and fantasize lol. I appreciate anyones help and I'm extremely eager to read your comments.

Oceanwave45 · Oct 3, 2017

Hi keith! Welcome first and foremost! Everyone here has great advise, trust me! I have made my fair share of mistakes!
If you could, take a picture so that we can see what you are speaking about and are able to ID the problem.

Here is some information regarding starting a new tank... Take your time, and don't go too fast! You are creating a small ocean in a box!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

azbigjohn · Oct 3, 2017

coronarex said:
Hello everyone! My name is Keith. This is my first SW tank. I have several planet tanks and have finally come to the dark side lol It is a Nuvo 30L by IM. I purchased it from a plastic surgeon that decided to leave the hobby. I went a couple days before restarting the tank. I left the rock in a 20 gallon big trash can w/ water, heater, and pump to preserve the bacteria and limit the cycling time. However, I don't think it work lol. It has been running for about 3 weeks. One morning I woke up to cloudy water, that has since subsided greatly but I am left with white like cobwebs flowing from the rock. Is this a bacteria bloom? I did a 25-30% yesterday. How often should I do WC while cycling? I read every two weeks? Should I add ammonia to feed the cycle? I have both Red Sea and ReefCrystal, should I stick with RS? I am using RODI water, chemi pure blue and purigen, and a sponge in the top compartment of my filter housing. I have a slim skim protein skimmer by hydor also. I read that carbon should only be ran 5 days per month, am I right to do this? Should I ditch the sponge filter and use filter floss? Are there benefits to this and where can I purchase? I have several invertebrates, only 2 snails and 2 crabs. Is it okay to added more right now? Also my tank is bare-bottom as I want the coralline algae to take over, I personally think its beautiful. If being patient is the answer to many of my questions as Im sure it is, I do not mind, I'll drink a beer and fantasize lol. I appreciate anyones help and I'm extremely eager to read your comments.

Welcome to R2R!

Do you have any test kits? The big things you need to know is your ammonia level, and your nitrate and nitrite levels. Once you have those, we can advise you more on where you are in the cycle process and where to go from here. As hard as it is, going slow is the key to success. I would not add any more animals, even clean up crew, until we know your cycle is done. It does sound like the cloudy water was a bacteria bloom...

coronarex · Oct 3, 2017

Thank you. I have the everything. Everything is zero. Ph is 7.8-8. It was ordinarily 8.4 weeks ago.

azbigjohn said:
Welcome to R2R!

Do you have any test kits? The big things you need to know is your ammonia level, and your nitrate and nitrite levels. Once you have those, we can advise you more on where you are in the cycle process and where to go from here. As hard as it is, going slow is the key to success. I would not add any more animals, even clean up crew, until we know your cycle is done. It does sound like the cloudy water was a bacteria bloom...

ks

coronarex · Oct 3, 2017

Oceanwave45 said:
Hi keith! Welcome first and foremost! Everyone here has great advise, trust me! I have made my fair share of mistakes!
If you could, take a picture so that we can see what you are speaking about and are able to ID the problem.

Here is some information regarding starting a new tank... Take your time, and don't go too fast! You are creating a small ocean in a box!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Clinton · Oct 4, 2017

I'm curious as to those webs too they kind of spider out and keep growing on themselves?

Oceanwave45 · Oct 4, 2017

Very interesting... I am not sure what they are to be honest. But let’s send out the Batman signal and see what they say!

#reefsquad can you help?

reeferfoxx · Oct 4, 2017

coronarex said:
Hello everyone! My name is Keith. This is my first SW tank. I have several planet tanks and have finally come to the dark side lol It is a Nuvo 30L by IM. I purchased it from a plastic surgeon that decided to leave the hobby. I went a couple days before restarting the tank. I left the rock in a 20 gallon big trash can w/ water, heater, and pump to preserve the bacteria and limit the cycling time. However, I don't think it work lol. It has been running for about 3 weeks. One morning I woke up to cloudy water, that has since subsided greatly but I am left with white like cobwebs flowing from the rock. Is this a bacteria bloom? I did a 25-30% yesterday. How often should I do WC while cycling? I read every two weeks? Should I add ammonia to feed the cycle? I have both Red Sea and ReefCrystal, should I stick with RS? I am using RODI water, chemi pure blue and purigen, and a sponge in the top compartment of my filter housing. I have a slim skim protein skimmer by hydor also. I read that carbon should only be ran 5 days per month, am I right to do this? Should I ditch the sponge filter and use filter floss? Are there benefits to this and where can I purchase? I have several invertebrates, only 2 snails and 2 crabs. Is it okay to added more right now? Also my tank is bare-bottom as I want the coralline algae to take over, I personally think its beautiful. If being patient is the answer to many of my questions as Im sure it is, I do not mind, I'll drink a beer and fantasize lol. I appreciate anyones help and I'm extremely eager to read your comments.

+1 to test kits. Even though the rock might be cycled from one container, adding to a new container will need to take time as well. For now, I would remove the chemi pure, purigen, and skimmer. Let the tank sit for a month without water changes. Meanwhile get those ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests going. Taking it slow is the best step and will save you tons down the road.

BTW welcome to R2R!! Please dont hesitate to ask anything. We are here to help

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 4, 2017

Welcome to reef2reef ! And Reefing!

This can't be the dark side. Wait till you see how much the lights cost!

coronarex said:
If being patient is the answer to many of my questions as Im sure it is, I do not mind, I'll drink a beer and fantasize lol

Half the battle right there! Your going to be good at this!

Oceanwave45 · Oct 4, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
+1 to test kits. Even though the rock might be cycled from one container, adding to a new container will need to take time as well. For now, I would remove the chemi pure, purigen, and skimmer. Let the tank sit for a month without water changes. Meanwhile get those ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests going. Taking it slow is the best step and will save you tons down the road.

BTW welcome to R2R!! Please dont hesitate to ask anything. We are here to help

Did you see his picture? He wants to know what those spider web thing are? That's why I sent out the batman signal

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 4, 2017

Does that thing move? Looks like a brittle star arm kinda.
Past that I'd try to take it out and feel it. Smell it too.

reeferfoxx · Oct 4, 2017

Oceanwave45 said:
Did you see his picture? He wants to know what those spider web thing are? That's why I sent out the batman signal

Yes. Looks bacterial. At least to me. Only time can fix that.

saltyfilmfolks said:
Does that thing move? Looks like a brittle star arm kinda.
Past that I'd try to take it out and feel it. Smell it too.

Look above the strand at the bottom. Theres more coming off the rock. You'll have to zoom in.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 4, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
You'll have to zoom in.

Or find my good glasses.
But I'd have to put down my beer. ;Wacky

reeferfoxx · Oct 4, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
But I'd have to put down my beer. ;Wacky

No need to put the beer down. Nature gave you two hands and the ability to hold the beer if you were to fall looking for those glasses.

;Hilarious

coronarex · Oct 4, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
+1 to test kits. Even though the rock might be cycled from one container, adding to a new container will need to take time as well. For now, I would remove the chemi pure, purigen, and skimmer. Let the tank sit for a month without water changes. Meanwhile get those ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests going. Taking it slow is the best step and will save you tons down the road.

BTW welcome to R2R!! Please dont hesitate to ask anything. We are here to help

Okay thank you very much. I will do as you suggest. How will I go about checking to see when the cycle is complete? Add ammonia and test 24 hours later?

coronarex · Oct 4, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Welcome to reef2reef ! And Reefing!

This can't be the dark side. Wait till you see how much the lights cost!

Half the battle right there! Your going to be good at this!

haha oh I know. I actually got the deal of a lifetime, this tank came with everything. A Radion xr30 , reeflink system(still have to hook that up) several test kits, 3 pumps including a MP10, several heaters, TDs meter, refractometer, and even a RODI unit, and so much more. I am very very lucky.

reeferfoxx · Oct 4, 2017

coronarex said:
Okay thank you very much. I will do as you suggest. How will I go about checking to see when the cycle is complete? Add ammonia and test 24 hours later?

Yes pretty much. Start with 2ml. If nothing shows 24 hours later. Dose 3ml.