Tell me this is normal...

Slo-blink · Feb 25, 2014

6 days into my first reef tank. 60 gal. and 25# of awsome live rock. 8+ muscles, a couple of sponges and tons of vegetation. Lots of stuff poping out daily but I'm seeing stuff that just don't look normal.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/
14/02/26/u3emu7u3.jpg

reefwatcher · Feb 25, 2014

You need more than 25lBS of live rock you should have at lest 2LBS per gal. And also how old is your system do you have a sump what type of lighting are you using. Need info if your using tap water or RO or RO/DI unit and water condition like ph, mag, nitrite, nitrate,phosphate calcium, kh.

CountrySideCoral · Feb 25, 2014

Do some water tests and let us know where your parameters are at....I wouldn't agree with the 2lbs/gallon idea but 25lbs is a little on the light side for a reef or fowlr tank. Please get the parameters posted so we can help you.

h8z2luze · Feb 25, 2014

I dont think you need 2 pounds per gallon. I usually go with 1/1 with no problems.

xthunderx · Feb 25, 2014

It's still a young tank let it mature. What do you mean by not normal?

Slo-blink · Feb 26, 2014

Remember I'm only 7 days in...just tested pH, ammonia ,nitrate and nitrite....pH was 8, ammonia 4, nitrate 40 and nitrite 2 (ppm respectivly). Yes numbers are high but I think I have a dead muscle in tank

Small triggers · Feb 26, 2014

Looks like a sponge growing across...no biggie...even if it is a dead muscle...no biggie since your cycling....

Slo-blink · Feb 27, 2014

Was not a sponge unfortunately . Not one but two demised mussels and two ex sponges...

Reefing Madness · Feb 28, 2014

You will see alot of different things growing on that live rock, some things will perish and others will grow like weeds, this is all normal in a new tank while using live rock.
Using at least 1lb of Rock per gallon is the minimal rule of thumb for a FOWLR, as this is what grows the bacteria needed to sustain life in the tank. Other than that, you'd need a skimmer and a filter.