What am I doing wrong

jpontier212 · Apr 11, 2016

I have started a 55 gallon aquarium on 28th of January. I still haven't completed the nitrogen cycle. My phosphates are still at 0.25 ppm, akilinity is 16 dkh, my nitrates are 40 ppm. I run a protein skimmer 24/7. Got filter socks, and live rock in the sump. Water stays at 79°F. Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, Ph 8.0, cal 460. I've done 2 water changes@ 50% each. No fish in the aquarium. 5 turbo snails and 5 blue legged hermit crabs. What could be wrong? Even with nothing in the aquarium the skimmer is still pulling fink out.

melypr1985 · Apr 11, 2016

If your Ammonia and Nitrites are both zero and you only have 40ppm, then it sounds like your cycle has established. Add a small fish and wait a few weeks before adding more. Test after adding the fish, but I think your good to go. The phosphates may contribute to algae but it wont effect whether or not you can add a fish.

redfishbluefish · Apr 11, 2016

My guess is your rock is curing.....leaching out the old death and adding N and P to your water. Continue doing water changes.

Agree that the cycle is most likely done.

jpontier212 · Apr 11, 2016

melypr1985 said:
If your Ammonia and Nitrites are both zero and you only have 40ppm, then it sounds like your cycle has established. Add a small fish and wait a few weeks before adding more. Test after adding the fish, but I think your good to go. The phosphates may contribute to algae but it wont effect whether or not you can add a fish.

But i want to add an anenome and frogs spawn before i put fish in there so maybe fish before nems?

melypr1985 · Apr 11, 2016

jpontier212 said:
But i want to add an anenome and frogs spawn before i put fish in there so maybe fish before nems?

Oh definitely! Please wait another couple months before adding a nem. I agree that it could be better if the nem is added before clowns (if your wanting them to host), so maybe wait on the clowns and nem until later in the game. You could potentially add a coral or two at this point, but if your new to this, then I would strongly suggest starting with fish first. Take it slow.

rayn · Apr 11, 2016

Slow and patient! Give your tank time to settle down and mature before trying a nem. I know how tempting they are, but if a tank isn't ready for them it is bad for the animal and just hurts your pride as well watching one possibly die.

You'll get there!

Lonny · Apr 11, 2016

Hang in there JP! You almost got this licked man. Holding off on the nem is no joke. My buddy had tons of issues because it was to soon and in the end lost it. On the bright side my clowns were in my tank for two months, long enough for them to find their spot in the tank. So I bought a branching green hammer and stuck it in the middle of their hang out and sure enough they took to it! Maybe try that. The important thing is you get to put a fish in there! Finally!!!!!! Congrats man!

not the greatest pic but you get the picture. And agreed watch for algae.

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

Thank you guys for everything. I will have pictures for you guys as soon as i get my lighting issue set. My power cord got wet and shorted out. I'm in the process of finding another.

saltlife757 · Apr 12, 2016

Congrats on your new tank. One thing you might have over looked is changing your filter sock. Unless you change them every other day, you're almost harvesting a nitrite factory. I bought 10 filter socks and change them every other day until I run out. The. I just throw them in the washer machine and they're good as new!

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

saltlife757 said:
Congrats on your new tank. One thing you might have over looked is changing your filter sock. Unless you change them every other day, you're almost harvesting a nitrite factory. I bought 10 filter socks and change them every other day until I run out. The. I just throw them in the washer machine and they're good as new!

I change them once a week. I have only 5 turbo snails and 5 blue legged hermit crabs in my DP.

reef_junkie · Apr 12, 2016

Ive completely given up on socks. My drains go straight through live rock. No unwanted harboring of detritus that can't be accessed via pod life and no "oops I haven't changed my socks in a week "
I'm kind of curious why your alk is so high. Is that just the salt you use or did you adjust it?

Bob Escher · Apr 12, 2016

We have seen several alternatives to socks. I believe even REV put one up. But I like the rotter tube
http://www.rottertube.com/filtration
No I don't get nothing from talking about it I just think it's a great alternative and the better half doesn't get to be mad at me washing socks in the wash machine

NanoDJS · Apr 12, 2016

where did your live rock/ sand originate ? also I would unplug the skimmer until your feeding fish and have coral.I would get your parameters tight , then work from there. Did you dose Tisbee, or any other type pods in your fuge ever ? These little guys are basically very crucial , do you see them on your glass ?

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

reef_junkie said:
Ive completely given up on socks. My drains go straight through live rock. No unwanted harboring of detritus that can't be accessed via pod life and no "oops I haven't changed my socks in a week "
I'm kind of curious why your alk is so high. Is that just the salt you use or did you adjust it?

I haven't bought the first grain of salt yet. My water changes are done with salt water purchased from my lfs. I have no idea on why my akilinity is so high

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

NanoDJS said:
where did your live rock/ sand originate ? also I would unplug the skimmer until your feeding fish and have coral.I would get your parameters tight , then work from there. Did you dose Tisbee, or any other type pods in your fuge ever ? These little guys are basically very crucial , do you see them on your glass ?

Live rock in my fuge is from my lfs cured there and my DP has 50 lbs of dry rock. I didn't want to risk any hitchhikers in the DP.

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

jpontier212 said:
Live rock in my fuge is from my lfs cured there and my DP has 50 lbs of dry rock. I didn't want to risk any hitchhikers in the DP.

No dose except for 80 proof vodka, vinegar and baking soda to help my ph which was also low. The reason i was also nano bubble treating at night but my u tube is developing large air pockets and I'm afraid of it stopping the siphon so i stopped that as well.

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

jpontier212 said:
No dose except for 80 proof vodka, vinegar and baking soda to help my ph which was also low. The reason i was also nano bubble treating at night but my u tube is developing large air pockets and I'm afraid of it stopping the siphon so i stopped that as well.

I read that the bubble treatment helps with the control of nitrates,phosphates and Ph

webbrage · Apr 12, 2016

with the filter socks you CAN reuse them hose them out and let air dry. I'm still cycling my tank but from what i read its fine to reuse 2-3 times then toss em. you have 10 would be like 20-30 woulda last you a good time i also saw a point of sale on DIY filter socks i was juggling that idea around as well

rayn · Apr 12, 2016

jpontier212 said:
No dose except for 80 proof vodka, vinegar and baking soda to help my ph which was also low. The reason i was also nano bubble treating at night but my u tube is developing large air pockets and I'm afraid of it stopping the siphon so i stopped that as well.

You're dosing vodka AND vinegar? Is there a reason for this dosing already? I've dosed vodka from the day a tank was cycled too, so I'm not against it, just wondering what led you to that result.

jpontier212 · Apr 12, 2016

rayn said:
You're dosing vodka AND vinegar? Is there a reason for this dosing already? I've dosed vodka from the day a tank was cycled too, so I'm not against it, just wondering what led you to that result.

My nitrates were so outta control it was unreal. You would think there was a decomposing body in my tank. It actually helped a lot. I think my dry rock had a lot to do with it though