New Tank Help?

MarbleShark · 07-16-2006, 08:53 PM

I have a question for a friend. My friend is starting out an aquarium and he only has 60 lbs of sand and some live rock. It is a 55 Gallon 48 long. His filtration system to start with is an Emperor 400.

Here are his levels:

Temp: 86°
PH 8.4
ALK 3.6
NH? 0.2
NH+4 16
NO? 0
NO2 0

What does he need to do to get these down? Give it time or does he need to add some chemicals?

blue_eyes53813 · 07-16-2006, 10:22 PM

If he wants to give the cycle a boost he could get some deli shrimp and wrap it in some nylon and put it in the tank... The decay will help it along.. Or I have used bottled bacteria( stress zyme)or any others from the LFS

MarbleShark · 07-16-2006, 11:22 PM

So he is good. He just needs to give it time right?

lcstorc · 07-17-2006, 06:24 AM

Time, time, and more time would be my advice.
The cycle will progress from amonia to nitrites to nitrates then hopefully gone. Expect a spike in each in turn. If he doesn't have a skimmer I would seriously recommend one. Sorry, but I am really convinced of their usefulness.
How mature is your tank? (Sorry I read so many posts I get confused.) If yours is stable and established you might want to give him a couple of cups of sand to kick start his bacteria. I have heard of others doing this with great success.
The dead shrimp is a good way to kick-start the cycle but be sure he knows no livestock until the cycle has completed. I would hate for him to get discouraged by his first inhabitants dying due to the cycle.
Best of luck to your friend and get him on RS. Grin.
We would love to throw in our 2cents as he progresses.

Gina · 07-17-2006, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarbleShark

So he is good. He just needs to give it time right?

Yes.

Splendid · 07-22-2006, 10:41 PM

The temprature should be around 76-79

cracker · 07-23-2006, 01:44 AM

He's fine just give it time!:: Now You have to be strong and not let him buy any fish for a while!

Gina · 07-23-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cracker

He's fine just give it time!:: Now You have to be strong and not let him buy any fish for a while!

That's the toughest part! LOL

07-16-2006, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	New Tank Help? I have a question for a friend. My friend is starting out an aquarium and he only has 60 lbs of sand and some live rock. It is a 55 Gallon 48 long. His filtration system to start with is an Emperor 400. Here are his levels: Temp: 86° PH 8.4 ALK 3.6 NH? 0.2 NH+4 16 NO? 0 NO2 0 What does he need to do to get these down? Give it time or does he need to add some chemicals? __________________ Norm

07-16-2006, 10:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,621 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Tank Help? If he wants to give the cycle a boost he could get some deli shrimp and wrap it in some nylon and put it in the tank... The decay will help it along.. Or I have used bottled bacteria( stress zyme)or any others from the LFS __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-16-2006, 11:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New Tank Help? So he is good. He just needs to give it time right? __________________ Norm

07-17-2006, 06:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,003 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Tank Help? Time, time, and more time would be my advice. The cycle will progress from amonia to nitrites to nitrates then hopefully gone. Expect a spike in each in turn. If he doesn't have a skimmer I would seriously recommend one. Sorry, but I am really convinced of their usefulness. How mature is your tank? (Sorry I read so many posts I get confused.) If yours is stable and established you might want to give him a couple of cups of sand to kick start his bacteria. I have heard of others doing this with great success. The dead shrimp is a good way to kick-start the cycle but be sure he knows no livestock until the cycle has completed. I would hate for him to get discouraged by his first inhabitants dying due to the cycle. Best of luck to your friend and get him on RS. Grin. We would love to throw in our 2cents as he progresses. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

07-22-2006, 10:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Splendid Midas Blenny Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 109 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New Tank Help? The temprature should be around 76-79

07-23-2006, 01:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
cracker Acropora Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East Florida Posts: 1,776 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New Tank Help? He's fine just give it time!:: Now You have to be strong and not let him buy any fish for a while!

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