Help - Need Advice

[Clownboy]

Ok, I have the Aquapod 24g.

I filled it with 27# live rock and 20# live sand 1/14/06.

I checked the Ammonia(0), Nitrites(.5 High), and PH(8.2).

My live rock looks like it is turning white, any reason why?

Also why is my Ammonia(0) is so low so quickly? How many times does or should my tank cycle before I put in fish.

My temp is 81 degrees without running the lights. Is that too high?

What is should I do next?

Can anyone help me?

[Woodstock]

Turning white? Must the the coralline algae dying... check your calcium levels.. Also, coralline will die if it is exposed to air too long.. I think it is approx 3-4 hrs before it will die...

Ammonia is low so quickly because you have the needed nytrifying bacteria to convert the amm to nitrItes (probably from the live rock and/or live sand). Keep checking the levels; once your ammonia and nitrItes have spiked then fall to zero, you will begin seeing an increase in nitrAtes. The cycle will then be complete. You should only need to cycle once. Be sure to add livestock slowly...wait to add anything until your parameters are stable (ca, alk, salinity, temp, etc).

81 is a bit hight without running the lights. Check your heater to be sure it is not set too high. The lights should have a fan, you should be ok. Definately run the aquarium with the lights on and know what the temp will be BEFORE adding livestock. With that said, I have had my temp stay at 82 with no issues at all.

[Clownboy]

Thank you Woodstock for your help!

The live rock was out of the water for a couple of hours.

What can I do to get my coralline algae to start growing again?

The LFS told me to keep my lights off during the cycle process, and that I didnt need to add any supplements til the cycle process was done. So I havn't baught a calcium test yet but will go and do it today.

I can use all the help I can get. I convinced my wife to let me start(Spend Money) and I promised her that I would be able to do it.

[Woodstock]

Some keep the lights on during a cycle, others keep the lights off. Personnaly, I would keep the lights on to help keep alive any disirable hitchhikers.

If you are going to be keeping a reef, eventually, you should get a few other test kits... calcium, alk, ph, phosphate and maybe magnesium.

Using a well balanced salt goes a long way to keep levels correct. Try to choose a good one from the beginning.

Also, don't get discouraged when you get algae..it is a normal thing for newly cycled aquariums. Keeping the phosphates and nitrAtes down low will help with these issues. I suggest using ro/di water and keeping a phosphate absorbing media in your aquaium at all times.

[Dragon Wrasse]

Just as Woodstock is saying, you will want to see that brown algae bloom (diatoms) it will let you know that you are well into the cycling processes. good luck and take your time, your live stock will thank you in the long run. I had nothing but Live rock and live sand in my system for 90 days, I did use Biozyme (I think thats how you spell it??) to help out my cycle.

[Clownboy]

The water that I use is from the LFS and is R/O water and I believe they are using Instant Ocean as their salt mix. I turned down the heat one knotch on my heater. To see how that does.

Should I do partial water changes while cycling to keep the Nitrates down or just wait until the cycle process is through?

I also have a product called Cycle® Biological Aquarium Supplement that says it is good for saltwater aquariums.

Should I use it as well to help cycle the tank and for weekly or monthly maintence?

Thank you for any help?

[Witfull]

just let the tank run with out a water change or adding anything. when the cycle ends, then a decent sized water change.

[Dragon Wrasse]

R/O water is great and is what you want to use for your top off water, I would let the tank cycle without doing water changes. Remember you will need a to start your cycling with a food source for your bacteria, some recomend a piece of raw shrimp.....you will want to keep testing your ammonia and nitrite during your cycle which could take weeks. Your bacteria poplations will peak before your ammonia and nitrite levels begin to drop, when your ammonia and nitrite drop below detectable levels you can start stocking your aquarium.

[Clownboy]

Thank you for the help