abbly
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hi, Im looking to get some help with my newly acquired 1st Salt water tank. It's 48 Gal and Has lots of live rock and 2 adorable clown fish.
I got it last night and it was filthy!! Spent all night cleaning it out. Left the sand and the rocks untouched... basically siphoned out all the cruddy water which there was only a few inches when i got it. The rocks were in a separate bin, so after filling the tank with the recommended salt solution and using tap water conditioner as usual i added the rocks and the water from the bin.
The previous owners said the fish were between 4-6 years so the tank should have definitely been cycled. Everything was set up and we were waiting for the sand to settle and salinity to be good before transferring the fish, they sat half the night in the tupperware they were given to us in the water and then we put them in the tank at around 4:30-5am EST.
They seem completly normal, but i am concerned about the ammonia, nitrates and nitrites.
I tested the water in the tank last night and the ammonia was 0.6 nitrates were 0 and nitrites were 0.
Then i tested the tupperware that the fish were in to see how bad their water was and it was ammonia between 0.6-1.2 and nitrates 0 and nitrites 0 .
I am using the nutrifin liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrates,, nitrites and PH.
This morning I tested their tank and the nitrates and nitrites seem to be rising and the ammonia is still the same.
Wed Nov 2 ammonia between 0.6-1.2 nitrate 5 and nitrites 0.3 PH 8
I am wondering why they are rising ? i know its normal when the tank cycles.. but im hoping that its already established because of all the bacteria in the sand, live rocks and filter.
I want to get the ammonia down to 0 and i know the commom way is water changes... but its all brand new water last night (so i dont see much point just yet) is it just going to take time?
Looking for some advice on things i can do with the tank to keep my little guys happy and healthy any advice would be appreciated.
I also have a bubbler and a wave maker in the tank. i am also ordering a protein skimmer and want to eventually get a uv sterilizer as thats the only thing i dont have.
I got it last night and it was filthy!! Spent all night cleaning it out. Left the sand and the rocks untouched... basically siphoned out all the cruddy water which there was only a few inches when i got it. The rocks were in a separate bin, so after filling the tank with the recommended salt solution and using tap water conditioner as usual i added the rocks and the water from the bin.
The previous owners said the fish were between 4-6 years so the tank should have definitely been cycled. Everything was set up and we were waiting for the sand to settle and salinity to be good before transferring the fish, they sat half the night in the tupperware they were given to us in the water and then we put them in the tank at around 4:30-5am EST.
They seem completly normal, but i am concerned about the ammonia, nitrates and nitrites.
I tested the water in the tank last night and the ammonia was 0.6 nitrates were 0 and nitrites were 0.
Then i tested the tupperware that the fish were in to see how bad their water was and it was ammonia between 0.6-1.2 and nitrates 0 and nitrites 0 .
I am using the nutrifin liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrates,, nitrites and PH.
This morning I tested their tank and the nitrates and nitrites seem to be rising and the ammonia is still the same.
Wed Nov 2 ammonia between 0.6-1.2 nitrate 5 and nitrites 0.3 PH 8
I am wondering why they are rising ? i know its normal when the tank cycles.. but im hoping that its already established because of all the bacteria in the sand, live rocks and filter.
I want to get the ammonia down to 0 and i know the commom way is water changes... but its all brand new water last night (so i dont see much point just yet) is it just going to take time?
Looking for some advice on things i can do with the tank to keep my little guys happy and healthy any advice would be appreciated.
I also have a bubbler and a wave maker in the tank. i am also ordering a protein skimmer and want to eventually get a uv sterilizer as thats the only thing i dont have.