Getting started and need some help/advice

[csoutherland]

So I started my saltwater aquarium (29 gallon) about a week ago and so far the salinity is between 1.023 and 1.024. The temperature is at about 78 degrees. I have this tank at my other house and I don't go there to much but I'm going to be living there soon and that's why I'm starting it there. I just came back to check on it and one of my live rock pieces is basically covered in red. It looks like algae. Can someone explain this to me? Also when I should get some fish and what kind of fish I should get? Just any advice someone could give me would be great!

 

[Bectan01]

What are you using to cycle the tank? Are you testing the water regularly? it is safe to add fish when you have 0 ammonia and nitrites and the nitrogen cycle is complete. Clownfish are great first fish, you could get a pair. Just remember to stock lightly and slowly - not too much too soon! Was the rock live when you got it or dry? Dark red and soft is usually cyno (bad) if its hard it could be coralline (good) can you post a picture?

 

[tampa_nick]

Probably cyano bacteria bloom. Test your water and give us your parameters. You can look on live aquaria for info on fish look at the sw beginners link.

 

[csoutherland]

 

[csoutherland]

Hopefully you can see the picture but I don't have a test kit because they are very expensive and I was seeing if there was a way to know without getting a kit or if it is just trial and error?

 

[Bectan01]

You really should invest in a test kit, monitoring your water is very important. You can take a sample to your LFS and ask them to test it for you, however it will be hard to tell where you are in the cycle without regular tests (every couple of days at least) How much live rock or dry rock you have in there may help determine how long the cycle will take but it's usually between 4-6 weeks. Tell us more about the set up - filtration, lighting? What are your plans for this tank, fish only or reef?

 

[csoutherland]

Bectan, would you be willing to email with me? Because you seem to know alot about what you are doing and also I can send you a picture of what my live rock looks like