Returning Reefer

[Valkyrie]

Hi,
I'm not necessarily new, but I'm in desperate need of a refresher so I'm starting from scratch. Keeping it simple, nothing fancy. I'm pretty sure my total loss due to a winter storm last year is somewhere on the forum, so I won't go over it now. I've licked my wounds long enough, I need back in the game.
The plan: 29g coral tank.
The set up: Bought a brand new aquarium, the old one is now a terrarium. Cleaned up Old Reliable, a Remora skimmer and bought it a new pump. Working well. 30# of live sand, and about 20# of rock, half live, half dry. I wanted the option to add more rock later. No sump, no refugium. I really wanted this simplified. I have a goofy fake pipe decor that's only there because I really, really like it.
The livestock: none, I don't know if there will be anything more than a clownfish and a starry blenny...or maybe it'll be fishless. I cannot recall if there were any invertabrates that I liked that would be safe w/coral.

The saltwater sat for 3 days before the new pump arrived and was installed. Not intentionally, this was just how it worked out.
July 25th the live sand and rocks were added.


1st week of testing
pH 8.0
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 5.0ppm
Nitrate 10.0ppm
Salinity 1.024
Temp 80F (turned down the heater)

2nd week of testing and a 20% water change.
pH 8.0
Ammonia 0.5ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate ~160ppm (!)
Salinity 1.024
Temp 78F

Am I on the right track? Should I make any changes? I don't know yet if what kind of coral I'm going to focus on as I'm trying to not get distracted by the pretties. LOL

After this gets going I am going to tackle *finally* my 60 gallon square build that I started...hmmm...3 maybe 4 years ago, I dunno. There's a thread in the new build forum somewhere.

 

[Old Fritz]

I do not recommend the fake pipe decoration. I believe I know exactly what one it is as I used to work at a petco. From what I understand those decorations do not last in saltwater and break down, which will probably add silica into your water leading to diatoms.

What are you using to cycle your tank and what test kit are you using?

 

[Valkyrie]

I do not recommend the fake pipe decoration. I believe I know exactly what one it is as I used to work at a petco. From what I understand those decorations do not last in saltwater and break down, which will probably add silica into your water leading to diatoms.

What are you using to cycle your tank and what test kit are you using?

Hmm, interesting. I've had it in my saltwater tanks for about 5 years, never had issues with diatoms. But I'll keep your information in mind if I have any issues in the future or if I find a rock I like better, LOL

What do you mean by what am I using to cycle it? From what has been drilled into my head from this site and a few books on the subject is that I don't need anything special as long as there is live sand and rock. I know there are options to speed things up, but I'm not in a hurry and I detest the idea of a rotting prawn, so that's not happening, even worse is putting in a sacrificial fish, that's just cruel. I've tried Dr. Tim's (was that what it was called?) in the past and I wasn't impressed. Like I said, I'm not in a hurry but if there is something else that would be of benefit I'd like to hear it.

My Red Sea test kit expired, but I have an API on hand that is 2 years away from expiring. I plan on getting another Red Sea, but I'm open to brand suggestions, that aren't ridiculously priced.

Thanks for your help! I appreciate your time.

 

[Old Fritz]

Hmm, interesting. I've had it in my saltwater tanks for about 5 years, never had issues with diatoms. But I'll keep your information in mind if I have any issues in the future or if I find a rock I like better, LOL

What do you mean by what am I using to cycle it? From what has been drilled into my head from this site and a few books on the subject is that I don't need anything special as long as there is live sand and rock. I know there are options to speed things up, but I'm not in a hurry and I detest the idea of a rotting prawn, so that's not happening, even worse is putting in a sacrificial fish, that's just cruel. I've tried Dr. Tim's (was that what it was called?) in the past and I wasn't impressed. Like I said, I'm not in a hurry but if there is something else that would be of benefit I'd like to hear it.

My Red Sea test kit expired, but I have an API on hand that is 2 years away from expiring. I plan on getting another Red Sea, but I'm open to brand suggestions, that aren't ridiculously priced.

Thanks for your help! I appreciate your time.

I personally never used live sand as whenever I see it it is typically covered in algae and who knows how long its been in the bag so I don't know what percentage of the bacteria is actually alive. But anyways whenever I add beneficial bacteria I typically add fish food (you can just buy ammonia however) and that will produce enough ammonia to keep your beneficial bacteria colony growing. Red sea is a good brand test kit, the api kits aren't super accurate but good enough to get the job done.

Also weird about that pipe typically they at least bleach after only a couple years.

 

[fishguy242]

hi, old school,set up,real live rock,skimmer,need no more,as far as nitrate seems false reading,unless rock was uncured,in that case skimmer would be going crazy,remora,s are great skimmers ,have used many in past

 

[JR Bodyman]

Welcome back to reefing!

 

[vetteguy53081]

welcome back to the hobby and to the R2R community !!

 

[725196]

Welcome back

free advice; the most expensive part of this hobby is impatience

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Valkyrie]

Welcome back free advice; the most expensive part of this hobby is impatience

Isn't that the truth!! That's why I'm doing it this way. When I started reefing in 5 years ago, I did everything wrong. I was lucky, things lived...mostly. After the winter storm wipe out (5 aquariums total) I tried starting up about 4 months later. Too soon, too fast. I was anxious. This time, I want to see what happens if I just take my time.

 

[Oldsman]

welcome back !

 

[KingTideCorals]

Hey welcome back..! Maybe my new channel can help you out a little bit on refresher! Hopefully I can help, also documenting my reefing journey and all the things I can teach as well as learn along the way! Hope you enjoy and welcome back... Tip #1 I think is key....