New 5g and no ideas.

[Ethreal]

I thought I would post my observations here over the coming weeks, someone might find it useful and I will certainly find your comments really helpful.

Yesterday on impulse I bought a 5g tank, it came with a t5 light, heater and filter with attached ph. It wasnt sold as a marine/reef setup so will need some work to make it suitable.

I have put down a shallow sand bed and filled with ro saltwater from the lfs.

After it got upto temp 79 I added a peice of LR from my 30g tank and a pinch of brine shrimp.

Observations and questions.

ph is very weak so I'm off to buy a new one today will let you know what I opt for - but any opinions you have would be great.

Light looks very bright, since it is such a small tank.

Will brine shrimp work kick off the nitrogen cycle? I cant think why it wouldnt but I dont know.

Picture taken right after it was filled up and switched on, shows all the crud from the sand.

** I should say I have no idea what I'm going to put in this tank yet**

 

[Ethreal]

Day 2.

Amonia = 0.25ppm.
Temp 79.

Pinch of brine shrimp added.

Lots of bubbles on the glass and filter, water is clearing, tank definately needs a backing.

 

[Ethreal]

Added Koralia 900 ph.

Water

pH 8
Amonia 1ppm
nitrite 0.2ppm
nitrate 50ppm

surely this isnt right, not sure how/why I have so much nitrate so quickly, can someone help me understand? many thanks guys.

 

[Ibrahim]

Don't worry bout it since it will decrease but great tank so far

 

[Flossie]

That's exciting I would Love to try salt water sometime. I'll soon have a free 10g I'm trying to decided if I wanna do
Planted or SW

 

[Ethreal]

Ibrahim many thanks for your reassurance, Im just shocked to get such high nitrate within 24hours, nothing I have read suggests this should happen - confused

Flossie thanks for posting - exciting yes, I dont know what is going to live in there yet, obviously whatever it is it wont be large and there wont be much of them, but it is a challange.

 

[Flossie]

Ibrahim many thanks for your reassurance, Im just shocked to get such high nitrate within 24hours, nothing I have read suggests this should happen - confused

Flossie thanks for posting - exciting yes, I dont know what is going to live in there yet, obviously whatever it is it wont be large and there wont be much of them, but it is a challange.

It's an adventure

 

[Hubert90]

Ibrahim many thanks for your reassurance, Im just shocked to get such high nitrate within 24hours, nothing I have read suggests this should happen - confused

Flossie thanks for posting - exciting yes, I dont know what is going to live in there yet, obviously whatever it is it wont be large and there wont be much of them, but it is a challange.

Ur LR does carry Beneficial bacteria thats where it's comin from

 

[Purevil21]

Following along, nice looking tank!

 

[Ethreal]

28.05.2011

Temp 80
Amonia < 0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.2ppm
Nitrate 50ppm
pH 8.1
Alk High
SG 1025.

Did a 10% pwc last night to reduce nitrates - not sure I should have done this.

The water is pretty clear now and all the micro bubbles have gone.

I think the lr is looking like it is developing diamtrons but no signs on the sand.

 

[Hubert90]

Its fine water changes wouldn't effect ur cycle. But are u doin fishless? Or is LR considered a livestock meaning u can't dose ur ammonia up to 4ppm

 

[Purevil21]

He used brine shrimp.

 

[Ethreal]

Thanks for the responses, yes I used brine shrimp, not sure if I should keep adding it and aim for 4ppm or not since I now have nitrite and nitrate - confuZZled!

Perhaps I should have chosen a more genger specific forum name - but I'm not a he

 

[PistolPete]

Following along

 

[Ethreal]

29.05.2011

Temp 80
Amonia 0
Nitrite > 0.1ppm < 0.2ppm
Nitrate 25ppm
pH 8.1
Alk high

 

[Ethreal]

30.05.2011

Readings exactly as above. Gonna do a pwc this afternoon.

 

[kingman8610]

Following along, nice tank tho. IMO I wouldnt do anymore pwcs just watch ur lvls and things should stable out on their own, srry if u already said, but do u have a filter yet?

 

[Ethreal]

Thanks for the response and sorry I havent been around for a day or two.

Kingman, yes it has a filter of sorts, sorry I dont know the make of it, basically sponge, ceramic rings, floss, powderhead setup - no skimmer or uv on this tho

A quick update, added more living rock that has been matured in my main tank, around 4lb now.

Added a leather coral - as a sort of rescue mission, since I couldnt get it happy in my other tank without making my other leathers miserable.

Added two hermit crabs.

Water:

Amonia 0
Nitrite <0.1ppm
Nitrate 5ppm
Alk high
pH 8.1
sp 1025

Am looking to get a hob filter that is more efficient, will wait a little while to see how the original filter copes.

 

[kingman8610]

Will you even need a skimmer for a 5g?

 

[Purevil21]

It's really looking nice.