New Saltwater

[efzichal]

Hello! I just joined and I have been reading many of the topics to learn more salt water aquariums. My fiancee bought me a new 29 galloon tank for christmas and I have been trying to set it up.

[Koopamaster]

Welcome to Aquarium Advice

[Convict2161]

Welcome to the forum community

[ktomminello]

Have you decided how you are going to cycle your tank yet? I've only dealt with saltwater for a year now and just set up my 29g biocube, so it's all recent to me if you have any questions

[efzichal]

I cycled the tank for two weeks with live sand and the water testing was perfect. Then I added live rock and cycled for two weeks the water testing shows high phosphate, specific gravity and nitrate. I replaced some water today but only 2 gallons of distilled water - I'm thinking I should do more water exchange?

[ktomminello]

Welcome to the patience tests of salt water!! If you have no true inhabitants I would suggest using a table shrimp, though this process can take upwards of 6 months- my 40g took 2 months to stabilize, and then I had a mini cycle when I added my green spotted puffer, got stuck in phosphate. What type of salt mix are you using? Are you wanting a Fish Only With Live Rock (aka FOWLR) or are you interested in corals and reef?

[Andrew McFadden]

to AA! We hope ya enjoy

[efzichal]

I am using Instant ocean for my salt mix. I would love to do corals and invertebrates but aren't those harder than fish to take care of? I thought it would be easier to start with fish and move to corals/invertebrates. If this thinking is wrong I will probably start with corals then. I will have to get my nitrates and phosphate corrected prior to adding anything though?

[efzichal]

After my replacement if 2 gallons my nitrate has dropped to 20ppm, phosphate to 0 and Specific gravity to 1.025. My pH has remained the same after adding some pH buffer. Added more today