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Help with inherited reef tank
A friend of mine set up a very nice 90 gal. reef system, populated it,
then gradually got so busy traveling for business, the system died. He made an effort to save the live rock by putting it in an unlit-but-aerated Rubbermaid can. Naturally everything died but the bacteria in the rock. After a few months, he put the rock back in the tank, and there everything sat for more months, growing slime algae, etc... Two weeks ago, he realized that about 200 of his closest friends were coming over for his 10th Annual Christmas Caroling Party, and he wanted the tank behind the bar in the basement to be more, ummm, attractive. So he called an Aquarium maintenance service and got a quote for getting the tank ship-shape plus monthly maintenance, then emailed me and said he'd rather give the money to me, if I were interested. Since I'm at a point where my living arrangements are subject to change on short notice and I can't really have a tank of my own, and couldn't afford the top-notch equipment he's got on his even if I did... well, for me it's an opportunity to pursure a hobby of mine at a level I couldn't afford, at someone else's expense! So I said, "Sure!" The main problem here was the very short deadline. It had me doing things I wouldn't ordinarily do. (If there's a drawback to pursuing your hobby at someone else's expense, it's that you have to keep in mind that you're not the boss!) But my friend's a very reasonable fellow and he's allowed me to do pretty much as I please, within certain widely-placed guidelines. But the damn deadline... Long story short, The Christmas Party was Saturday night, the tank looked marvelous - crystal-clear with happy-looking fish and critters, but now I've got animals in a tank with water chemistry that's not quite right. Temp. 79 Salinity 1.019 PH 7.9 Ammonia 0 Haven't tested for Nitrite/Nitrate yet. The animals: 4 Green Chromis 2 Clarkii Clowns 2 Yellowtail Blue Damsels 1 Coral Beauty (medium) 1 Yellow Tang (small) 2 Cleaner Shrimp 6 Blue Leg Hermits The tank is devoid of algae at this point, and there is no substrate. Just the old rock that's nothing more than base rock now, with just the bacteria living in it. I plan to add more live rock to re-seed the tank with algaes and other micro-critters, plus about a half-inch of aragonite toward the front of the tank for those that like to forage on the bottom. So, what are your suggestions for getting the water chemistry right? Bring the PH up first? How best to do that? Add the aragonite *first*, as a buffer? There's a kalkwasser generator in the cabinet that's yet to be brought online... I'll be doing more-frequent-than-usual water changes for a time, maybe 10 percent a week for the next few weeks, and I'll gradually raise the salinity to 1.021 that way. But first, I await your wisdom. My humble thanks, --Charlie Henderson |
Help with inherited reef tank
Bring the SG/Salinity up first, this should improve the PH. You'll need to do it slowly, ie. 1/1000 point per day over a few days. Not sure what the conventional wisdom dictates regarding the final salinity level in your part of the world; your LFS should be able to advise on their conditions as a guideline. My tank stays at about 1.024. Once the Salinity is good you can focus on a good buffer if needed, I use Tropic Marin triple buffer which costs about 11 British Pounds or about U$19 at present exch. rates. You'll need a test kit to measure the calcium and alkalinity/hardness. Again you need to make smallish adjustments here and adjust one with consideration to the other. Hope this helps. Regards Chris "Charles Henderson" wrote in message ... Temp. 79 Salinity 1.019 PH 7.9 Ammonia 0 So, what are your suggestions for getting the water chemistry right? Bring the PH up first? How best to do that? Add the aragonite *first*, as a buffer? There's a kalkwasser generator in the cabinet that's yet to be brought online... |
Help with inherited reef tank
Charlie,
It doesn't sound as if you are too far away from where you need to be. See more below... Charles Henderson wrote: The main problem here was the very short deadline. It had me doing things I wouldn't ordinarily do. (If there's a drawback to pursuing your hobby at someone else's expense, it's that you have to keep in mind that you're not the boss!) But my friend's a very reasonable fellow and he's allowed me to do pretty much as I please, within certain widely-placed guidelines. But the damn deadline... Keep a close eye on the A/N/N readings. Two weeks isn't really enough time for a tank to properly cycle, and you will likely see at least a small cycle. If you start to get Ammonia/Nitrite readings ... do water changes. Long story short, The Christmas Party was Saturday night, the tank looked marvelous - crystal-clear with happy-looking fish and critters, but now I've got animals in a tank with water chemistry that's not quite right. Temp. 79 Salinity 1.019 PH 7.9 Ammonia 0 Haven't tested for Nitrite/Nitrate yet. The animals: 4 Green Chromis 2 Clarkii Clowns 2 Yellowtail Blue Damsels 1 Coral Beauty (medium) 1 Yellow Tang (small) 2 Cleaner Shrimp 6 Blue Leg Hermits The tank is devoid of algae at this point, and there is no substrate. Just the old rock that's nothing more than base rock now, with just the bacteria living in it. I plan to add more live rock to re-seed the tank with algaes and other micro-critters, plus about a half-inch of aragonite toward the front of the tank for those that like to forage on the bottom. I wouldn't put any algaes in the display tank. They can become very invasive and hard to control. If you add more LR, be sure that it is fully cured before adding, or again, you'll spark a cycle. So, what are your suggestions for getting the water chemistry right? Bring the PH up first? How best to do that? Add the aragonite *first*, as a buffer? There's a kalkwasser generator in the cabinet that's yet to be brought online... I wouldn't mess with the chemistry via additives. The pH is a bit low, but not dangerously. The salinity is low, but where you want it depends on whether you're looking at a reef tank, or fish-only. Kalkwasser is a great mechanism to maintain calcium, alk, & pH. I'll be doing more-frequent-than-usual water changes for a time, maybe 10 percent a week for the next few weeks, and I'll gradually raise the salinity to 1.021 that way. If you're going to do fish-only, I'd gradually (over the course of a couple weeks), raise the salinity to 1.023. If you're aiming for a *reef* tank, you should be at 1.025 - 1.026. Also, if you'll be keeping mobile invertebrates (snails, crabs, etc.), then you'll need to be around 1.025. The *key* is raising it slowly. After you wait out any potential cycle, and do a couple water changes to bring your parameters in check, you might want to think about beefing up your cleaner crew considerably - a bunch of different snails, maybe a brittle or serpent star, etc. Here is a link to my personal site, I have quite a few reference/setup articles on he http://home.comcast.net/~76fxe/ Also, here is the reef forum/commmunity that I run - you are welcome to visit any time - lots of great information and helpful members: http://www.reefsanctuary.com Take it easy, Teri |
Help with inherited reef tank
In article ,
Teri G wrote: Charlie, It doesn't sound as if you are too far away from where you need to be. See more below... Thanks for your comments, Teri. You've helped put things in clearer perspective... Keep a close eye on the A/N/N readings. Two weeks isn't really enough time for a tank to properly cycle, and you will likely see at least a small cycle. If you start to get Ammonia/Nitrite readings ... do water changes. Yes, I thought that ammonia testing at zero so soon was a bit curious. I guess I've yet to see the spike. Will test every day for awhile. I wouldn't put any algaes in the display tank. They can become very invasive and hard to control. If you add more LR, be sure that it is fully cured before adding, or again, you'll spark a cycle. We're aiming for a reef tank, so I'd like to see some coraline algae in there, if only to give the Coral Beauty something to nibble on. He hasn't been eating much (if any) of the flake or frozen I've been feeding. I wouldn't mess with the chemistry via additives. The pH is a bit low, but not dangerously. The salinity is low, but where you want it depends on whether you're looking at a reef tank, or fish-only. Kalkwasser is a great mechanism to maintain calcium, alk, & pH. Will kalkwasser lower alkalinity and raise PH? If you're going to do fish-only, I'd gradually (over the course of a couple weeks), raise the salinity to 1.023. If you're aiming for a *reef* tank, you should be at 1.025 - 1.026. Also, if you'll be keeping mobile invertebrates (snails, crabs, etc.), then you'll need to be around 1.025. The *key* is raising it slowly. That high, eh? For some reason I thought I was aiming for 1.021. Thanks for pointing that out. Can I just remove some tank water, say a gallon, add a bit of salt and mix well, then return it to the tank? Via the sump, perhaps? A little bit per day...? After you wait out any potential cycle, and do a couple water changes to bring your parameters in check, you might want to think about beefing up your cleaner crew considerably - a bunch of different snails, maybe a brittle or serpent star, etc. Should I put in some live sand first? Here is a link to my personal site, I have quite a few reference/setup articles on he http://home.comcast.net/~76fxe/ Also, here is the reef forum/commmunity that I run - you are welcome to visit any time - lots of great information and helpful members: http://www.reefsanctuary.com Thanks, I'll be there soon! --Charlie Henderson |
Help with inherited reef tank
In article ,
"Chris Taylor" wrote: Bring the SG/Salinity up first, this should improve the PH. You'll need to do it slowly, ie. 1/1000 point per day over a few days. Not sure what the conventional wisdom dictates regarding the final salinity level in your part of the world; your LFS should be able to advise on their conditions as a guideline. My tank stays at about 1.024. Thanks, Chris. I didn't realize I was aiming too low, salinity-wise. Once the Salinity is good you can focus on a good buffer if needed, I use Tropic Marin triple buffer which costs about 11 British Pounds or about U$19 at present exch. rates. You'll need a test kit to measure the calcium and alkalinity/hardness. Again you need to make smallish adjustments here and adjust one with consideration to the other. Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that does that? Thanks again, --Charlie Henderson |
Help with inherited reef tank
Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that does that? Honest answer:- I don't know. I use crushed coral. Many on this NG use Live Sand and would be better placed to advise. Comments? "Charles Henderson" wrote in message ... In article , "Chris Taylor" wrote: Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that does that? |
Help with inherited reef tank
Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that
does that? they both could, however neither really do. to get good buffering out of either your tank ph has to be LOW, you can search groups.google.com for past discussions(look for one from boomer.) but i think for real buffering the ph had to be in the low 7's. if your tank ph is that low, you have other issues besides CC or sand. -- Richard Reynolds |
Help with inherited reef tank
dear Charlie
I would add some life sand instantly! This will help to stabilize your whole Nitrogen Bugdet i.e. Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate. You can't do much wrong with this stuff. Contrary to some other people I truly believe that the big spike of ammonia is yet to come. Even if the ammonia itself will not be too dangerous for the fishes, the ammonia will be oxidized to nitrite, and that IS a killer for any fish. The sooner you get your nitrogen cycle well established the better it is for your fishes. Don't worry too much about salinity right now, it is a bit low but many importers/dealers run their systems on 1.018 or even 1.015. There is one thing that you did not mention, Phosphate. How much do you have? Best wishes from Germany Jens Temp. 79 Salinity 1.019 PH 7.9 Ammonia 0 Haven't tested for Nitrite/Nitrate yet. The animals: 4 Green Chromis 2 Clarkii Clowns 2 Yellowtail Blue Damsels 1 Coral Beauty (medium) 1 Yellow Tang (small) 2 Cleaner Shrimp 6 Blue Leg Hermits The tank is devoid of algae at this point, and there is no substrate. Just the old rock that's nothing more than base rock now, with just the bacteria living in it. I plan to add more live rock to re-seed the tank with algaes and other micro-critters, plus about a half-inch of aragonite toward the front of the tank for those that like to forage on the bottom. So, what are your suggestions for getting the water chemistry right? Bring the PH up first? How best to do that? Add the aragonite *first*, as a buffer? There's a kalkwasser generator in the cabinet that's yet to be brought online... I'll be doing more-frequent-than-usual water changes for a time, maybe 10 percent a week for the next few weeks, and I'll gradually raise the salinity to 1.021 that way. But first, I await your wisdom. My humble thanks, --Charlie Henderson |
Help with inherited reef tank
Just top off your tank's evaporation with pre-mixed sal****er. It will
gradually raise your salinity quite easily. Keep testing the water to make sure you don't over do it. Marc Charles Henderson wrote: Can I just remove some tank water, say a gallon, add a bit of salt and mix well, then return it to the tank? Via the sump, perhaps? A little bit per day...? -- Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com |
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