Starting up after a few years.

[Marc118]

Hey guys,

I just got finished setting up my old tank. I'm wondering if im missing something, or if all is well. Please give me an FYI if this tank is not suitable for fish anymore, i will go purchase the necessary parts.

30g
Backpack Protein Skimmer 1100lph...about 290gph
Rio 800 Powerhead ( is this enough current? )

Tank is at about 75deg F salinity is at 1.021.

Can I go ahead and throw in a raw shrimp to cycle? Or should i waite a few days?

Ive got all my test kits ready for the next few weeks.

I had an additional Eheim hang on filter but i removed it. I plan on using this 30g as a QT or sump when i get my larger tank.

So...anything im doing wrong or need to know?

 

[Brenden]

Is this going to be a reef or fish only tank?
30 reef needs around 600GPH flow, FO around 300GPH

salinity is at 1.021.

This salinity is OK if you have fish only. No crabs etc. I try to stay as close to natural SW as possible. 1.024-1.026

Can I go ahead and throw in a raw shrimp to cycle? Or should i waite a few days?

Go for it.

anything im doing wrong or need to know?

This really depends on what you plan to put in the tank. Do you have any LR?

 

[Marc118]

I do have about 30lbs of live rock, I will be adding another 15 next week. around 100w of lighting ( I believe on of the bulbs is 12000k temp, the other is just white). I will balance out the salidity now.

So if i plan to add some reef later i should add 1 or 2 more powerheads?

Do I have enough filtration?

 

[Brenden]

So if i plan to add some reef later i should add 1 or 2 more powerheads?

The RIO 800 is around 200GPH so I would add 3-400GPH more if making a reef.

Do I have enough filtration?

With 45lbs of LR and a skimmer. Yes. Do you have any substrate or is it BB?

 

[Marc118]

I have about 30...maybe more lbs of sand...nothing like crushed coral. Ive got a while to get everything setup since i just started to cycle. So any other suggestions would be great.

How is my lighting for reef?

 

[Brenden]

I have about 30...maybe more lbs of sand...nothing like crushed coral.

IMO aragonite sand is better than CC.

So any other suggestions would be great.

Take your time. Ask questions here before you go to the LFS to buy something. No one here is out to make a profit from you.

How is my lighting for reef?

You could have some select low light corals/mushrooms. Generally speaking...not enough.

 

[Marc118]

Thanks a bunch.

What types of low-light corals do you suggest?

If later i would like some more light intensive reef, can I simply add another Odyssea light? I have room for another no problem.

Or do you suggest i build a hood and a DIY light setup?

 

[Marc118]

Well after 1 day I decided to run a little test.

pH 7.8
Nitrate 5.0
Nitrite 0

I lost my ammonia test card, anyone have the colors for the AuquariumPharm Saltwater Master Test Kit?

Also my salidity has dropped quite a few points with little evaporation...what could cause this?

Also, since i have put my raw shrimp the tank has gotten a bit cloudy, is this normal?

Whats the pH, Nitrite, Nitrate levels i should look for?

EDIT:

Sorry for the double posting, I just added 2 300gph power heads.

I also got a replacement card and my ammonia is at 0

So that leaves me with

pH 7.8
Nitrate 5.0
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

How is it looking? What should my nitrate be at?

How long should i leave the shrimp in there?