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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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03-26-2008, 06:07 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 162
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New Red Sea Max
I am completely new to saltwater reefing, but I have just taken the plunge and started a new 34 Gal. Red Sea Max!!
It went up on Monday, and I added the mature live rock, and the clean-up crew on Tuesday. The tank came with a kit including substrate (Red Sea Reef Base), Red Sea Salt, and a bio booster of bacteria.
My clean up crew is red and blue legged crabs and t. snails.
The Question: Most of the threads regarding new tanks assume the live rock needs to be cured and thus the tank needs to cycle for quite a while. What can I expect with my set-up given that I have mature rocks and have added the bacteria? I know it will be shorter, but will any of the water perameters be different?
Any other words of wisdom are welcome. I get the 'be patient' idea, 'go slow' as I already have freshwater tanks. Thanks!!!!
Attachment 62109
Attachment 62110
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03-26-2008, 06:51 PM
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#2
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Fernandina Beach, FL
Posts: 323
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The tank looks great. Get rid of the hydrometer, especially in the tank. I did that and during my diatom bloom, some got on the hand and it appeared my salinity was dropping. I was slowly trying to raise it, and when I finally got it back to 1.023, another check found it was 1.028 (with a refractometer).
As for parameters, just watch your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. You should still see a cycle even though you had live rock. It usually is not as long, but it will be there. Avoid adding anything else until levels are 0. Hopefully your CUC will survive the cycle. |
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03-26-2008, 07:15 PM
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#3
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confused reefer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 222
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definitely get rid of hydrometer, and get a refractometer if you can. It is pricey comparing to hydrometer but well worth it.
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03-26-2008, 07:19 PM
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#4
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Duper Mod !
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 14,335
Reviews: 10
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Welcome to TRT.
When I started my 24g it took about 3 weeks for the "cycle" - In marine tanks though the cycle includes a few ugly algae stages as well.
I'd recommend waiting 3-4 weeks before adding anything else
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Kelli
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03-26-2008, 07:26 PM
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#5
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Shark
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 2,694
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congrats on your purchase and welcome to trt! i agree wait a few weeks before fishys
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03-26-2008, 09:00 PM
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#6
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 607
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Welcome to TRT! In my experience, there is almost always some "cycling" that goes on with a new tank. Just watch the paramaters and when your nitrites fall off do a water change and you're good to go.
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03-26-2008, 09:02 PM
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#7
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denham Springs, LA
Posts: 18,742
Reviews: 21
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Very nice looking Tank!
Welcome to the Reef Tank!
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 Vince aka VINNIE 
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03-26-2008, 09:05 PM
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#8
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This Space For Rent!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,213
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Welcome!!!
Lookin' good...just one comment on the live plants (they look to be alive)...you may want to reconsider having them in there...they tend to grow quite prolifically and can end up being more of a nuisance over time...I don't keep plants in my display at all...only in a dedicated fuge.
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03-26-2008, 10:18 PM
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#9
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 162
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Thanks, I forgot it was in there (still from the original fill). It is already out!
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03-26-2008, 10:20 PM
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#10
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This Space For Rent!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,213
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Just make sure you research the type of macro (aka plants) you choose...some can cause problems beyond prolific growth (IE. asexual reproduction).
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03-26-2008, 10:20 PM
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#11
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jnicho
Welcome!!!
Lookin' good...just one comment on the live plants (they look to be alive)...you may want to reconsider having them in there...they tend to grow quite prolifically and can end up being more of a nuisance over time...I don't keep plants in my display at all...only in a dedicated fuge.
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I know they can be problematic from my freshwater experience, but I'm also a gardener and can't bring myself to have no plants at all. I plan to introduce a few fish that will keep them in check - and fully expect to remove some as they proliferate. Thanks for the advice, though.
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03-26-2008, 10:24 PM
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#12
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VWD
Very nice looking Tank!
Welcome to the Reef Tank!
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Thanks!
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03-26-2008, 10:48 PM
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#13
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Orange County
Posts: 362
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nice purchase.. Im sure you will like your red sea max as much as mine!
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~The Weaz - "Oh Manchester,Is wonderful"
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03-27-2008, 09:27 AM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWeaz
nice purchase.. Im sure you will like your red sea max as much as mine!
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Have you had any trouble with stable temps? The tank keeps rising to 82 if I have the hood down, even overnight. I've been playing with the heater (its set for 76 at the moment) as well, but I'm not sure what to do. I have the extra fan in the back that is supposed to blow cool air over the h2o, but that doesn't seem to be effective enough.
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03-27-2008, 09:45 AM
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#15
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Stinky Slimey FEESH
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,189
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Welcome to TRT, nice tank! Patience is the hardest virtue in this hobby!
I have to leave the hood up in my nano, otherwise the lights heat the water over 84 degrees F.
HHC
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You can't kill a fish born to hang.....
135-gal Oceanic reef, MH, PC, Lunar
12-gal Nanocube
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