talloulou
Aquarium Advice Addict
I just did all the tests on my new saltwater tank, it's been set up since last Saturday. I did readings 2 days after I set everything up and had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and between 0 & 5 nitrates it was hard to tell. Anyway I just tested everything for the second time this afternoon.
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates a definite 10
pH 8.2
my temp is at 80 degrees....should this be brought down? I had set it at 80 hoping to make bacteria thrive.
Anyway the test kit is AP master kit for saltwater and it's brand new. My only concern is there was no ammonia or nitrites either the first time I tested or this time. I'm assuming the nitrates are from the live rock but should I still wait for ammonia and nitrites to spike or will that not happen since the live rock was cured?
Should I add a fish? Also I have been advised repeatedly to start with a damsel.....but I don't want one. I'd rather start with a percula clown and perhaps a hermit crab. The starfish that was on the glass disappeared and I haven't seen it for a couple days. The shrimp I can still usually find when I look for it. The clam moved from where it was to a new spot but I have never seen it open. Is that normal?
If everything sounds okay I'd like to get the clown and a hermit crab or two this weekend. The hermit crabs are on sale locally at petco but they are just sold as aquatic hermit crab so I have no idea what kind they are. Maybe I should just get one crab at first? As for fish, from my understanding I should just buy one fish and wait for a good eight weeks or so before adding more. Is that right? 8 weeks seems like a long time.
Also should I do a large water change? When setting up freshwater tanks I always perform a large water change before adding some fish.
Oh and I plan on ordering the Concientious Marine Book the next time my husband gets paid. I will order it from amazon.....but where's the link I should use so AA gets some credit? I have apx 6 other books I got the library that I have been reading in the meantime. However they all seem to have different advice in them
8O The only thing that is consistent is that I should start with a damsel but they also consistently say damsels can get mean and nasty when they are mature.
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates a definite 10
pH 8.2
my temp is at 80 degrees....should this be brought down? I had set it at 80 hoping to make bacteria thrive.
Anyway the test kit is AP master kit for saltwater and it's brand new. My only concern is there was no ammonia or nitrites either the first time I tested or this time. I'm assuming the nitrates are from the live rock but should I still wait for ammonia and nitrites to spike or will that not happen since the live rock was cured?
Should I add a fish? Also I have been advised repeatedly to start with a damsel.....but I don't want one. I'd rather start with a percula clown and perhaps a hermit crab. The starfish that was on the glass disappeared and I haven't seen it for a couple days. The shrimp I can still usually find when I look for it. The clam moved from where it was to a new spot but I have never seen it open. Is that normal?
If everything sounds okay I'd like to get the clown and a hermit crab or two this weekend. The hermit crabs are on sale locally at petco but they are just sold as aquatic hermit crab so I have no idea what kind they are. Maybe I should just get one crab at first? As for fish, from my understanding I should just buy one fish and wait for a good eight weeks or so before adding more. Is that right? 8 weeks seems like a long time.
Also should I do a large water change? When setting up freshwater tanks I always perform a large water change before adding some fish.
Oh and I plan on ordering the Concientious Marine Book the next time my husband gets paid. I will order it from amazon.....but where's the link I should use so AA gets some credit? I have apx 6 other books I got the library that I have been reading in the meantime. However they all seem to have different advice in them
8O The only thing that is consistent is that I should start with a damsel but they also consistently say damsels can get mean and nasty when they are mature.