My New Tanks

[Reefscape]

Hello All,

Am new here and new to keeping marine fish tanks. Kept Freshwater for a good few years, but in reflection to that, i am complete novice.

Just thought i would share my new tank with you all. Of course, all comments and constructive critisism on my equiptment and setup are very welcome indeed.

Tank 46 Gal
Red Sea Prism Skimmer
Maxi-Jet 1200 power heads x 2
Penn-Plax Cascade 1000 Ext Filter
300w Heater ( will be swapping this for two seperate heaters soon )
24w UV Serilizer
50 GPD Kent Marine RO Unit
20 Kg Live Rock
10 Kg Live Sand and CC
2 x 40w Marine Glow Day Tubes
1 x 15x Interpret Night Light
1 x Raw Prawn ( been in since day 2, bless him...and he thought he was going into a salad.. )
...Think Thats it....

The tank has been up and running for 7 days and my results are thus...

PH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0.3
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate 20
SG - 1.020

I would like to know after my first week of cycling if my tank is heading in the right direction?

So, what do you all think so far.

http://www.imagestation.com/8407684/3961788659

http://www.imagestation.com/8407684/3961788436

Have a butchers at the above two pictures to give you more of an idea of what it looks like..

Thanks in advance people

Niko

 

[Reefscape]

Tank results

Have run my test again tonight...here they are..

PH - 8.3
Ammonia - 0.5
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate 20
SG - 1.020

Can anybody let me know why i am not seeing any nitrite in my test results?? This has been constantly 0.0 since the start..

Thanks in advance

Niko :bowing:

 

[Ghost_knife]

takes awhile I would think. give it time. you'll start seeing them soon. Looks Awsome btw

 

[Reefscape]

CHeers Ghost, I was kind of getting a little concerned as the other tests are changing, except nitrites..Had a massive algae bloom today awell..went work this morning and bearly anything, come home tonight and i felt like getting my lawnmower out for the greenery...he he he... Thanks buddy

Niko

 

[Ghost_knife]

well if you got any of that left when the tank is done get a lawnmower blenny. These little buggers Rock I have 2 and never have a algae problem

 

[Max]

Hello atnixon and welcome to ac.
I'd turn off my lights if I were you until my cycle was over. If you are useing curred live rock you may not ever really see too much of an ammonia or nitrite spike as the bacteria in you live rock will use it up. It looks like a pretty nice set up but, that doesn't look like 46 kg of l.r. unless it's really heavy and dense. I might just be looking at it wrong to.

Let us know what your plans are mate this is the most exciting time for any hobbiest. Welcome to ac and to s.w.
have a good one and keep us posted
Max

 

[Reefscape]

I maybe a little dumb here Max, whats the purpose of leaving the lights off untill the cycle is complete? does it have some effect on the tank while there is no live stock in there?

I also think you miss read my first post..Its 20Kg of live rock in there not 46..46 is the Gallon size of tank mate..

Thanks for your comments..

My plans are really to have a simple setup to start with, not a reef tank as i think that i need to get experience of looking after marine fish and some inverts..When i am happy, after a year or so, i shall start up a large reef system and run the two tanks ( one of the beauties of living on me own...bucket loads of free space...no mrs naggin me cus of the pumps and filters bubbling away...)

I plan to have fish in this order..

Green Chromis
Common Clowns x 2
Bi Colour Psudochromis
Damsel ( some sort, not decided which yet )

Any issues with these fish in this order?

Look forward to anybodies comments

 

[Max]

Sorry for the mix up mate! The reason you want to cycle with the lights off is that it will keep noxious algae levels down a bit. It will give you a huge head start on your tank maintence. Also fwiw most varieties of damsels don't get on very well with other fish as they are closely related and they for the most part are a lot more trouble than they are worth. I'd personally think of another fish like a six line wrasse for example.
hth
Max
P.S.
In case I've missed saying this a big WELCOME TO AC !

 

[Reefscape]

Hey there Max,

Thanks for coming back to me about leaving the lights off while i am cycling..You cant beat some good words of wisdom..

on the subject of fish, are there any Wrasses that should be stayed away from? The only reason i would of liked a Damsel is because i think the Yellow Tailed Damsel is lovely looking fish and i think that they have a great personality..

 

[Max]

Yellow tails are nifty fish. You'll want to research or ask before you buy a wrasse some of them get quite large. The six line is a nice fish Possum wrasse will school for you . You could also have a mandrin goby in there if you give your pod population some time to mature and skip the six line for saftey.
hth and if you have more questions ask.
Max