175g Saltwater predator tank - Update:Aug 10th/10- FISH ADDED

scherzo · #1 07-11-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

A good sign that rock is "live" is coralline algae as the algae takes a while to grow and if it is alive and well then the bacteria should be as well. "Live Rock" generally means that it has bacteria on it.

That is way more clear than I was. I guess the terminology is a little weird. Live Rock and Cured Rock.

As for the coralline algae thing, what about "COOKED" LR? Isn't that live? But it has no coralline on it. I have cooked LR and put it into a new tank and never experienced a cycle. Mind you, I've only been doing salt for about 3 years so I'm still new to this as well.

I hope this helps the OP. I think the most important thing is to watch your ammonia, and nitrates when you move a tank or get a new one. I have bought a few systems from Craigslist that were pretty rough looking and I used the LR from them and put them into my sump or main DT. I just watched my levels.

Good luck and let us know how things are progressing!

Greenmaster · #2 07-11-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scherzo

That is way more clear than I was. I guess the terminology is a little weird. Live Rock and Cured Rock.

As for the coralline algae thing, what about "COOKED" LR? Isn't that live? But it has no coralline on it. I have cooked LR and put it into a new tank and never experienced a cycle. Mind you, I've only been doing salt for about 3 years so I'm still new to this as well.

I hope this helps the OP. I think the most important thing is to watch your ammonia, and nitrates when you move a tank or get a new one. I have bought a few systems from Craigslist that were pretty rough looking and I used the LR from them and put them into my sump or main DT. I just watched my levels.

Good luck and let us know how things are progressing!

I said a giveaway that it was "live" was to have coralline algae on it (because I think you would have to try really hard to have the algae on it and no bacteria)
I also said "live" means it has bacteria on it so "cooked" or "Base Rock" can be made live by cycling it in a tank to produce bacteria colonies on the rocks.

snow1 · #3 07-12-2010, 06:56 PM

Update July 12th/2010

So here is an update of what the tank is at now. The tested the big three yesterday and things seem to be under control. The skimmer on the tank I found out is to small, I knew this in the back of my mind b/c comparing it to other skimmers for 200g this one seemed small. It's the skimmer Vertex IN-80 In-Sump Protein Skimmer. I'll be getting a bigger one by the end of the month, it will be okay for now since its just cycleing and no fish will be going in it for awhile. The live rock will be going in a few days, it's still doing well in the buckets outside, they are heated and have powerheads in them. I will put it in after I get some live sand for the tank from a member hopefully in the next few days or so. The substrate that came with the tank is okay but there is not enough...that is still in the bucket also. Anyways here is the video of the tank and sump area, if you see anything out of place let me know b/c this is kinda going by trial or error.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ3BMPcXsXE

Lance · #4 07-12-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snow1

Update July 12th/2010

So here is an update of what the tank is at now. The tested the big three yesterday and things seem to be under control. The skimmer on the tank I found out is to small, I knew this in the back of my mind b/c comparing it to other skimmers for 200g this one seemed small. It's the skimmer Vertex IN-80 In-Sump Protein Skimmer. I'll be getting a bigger one by the end of the month, it will be okay for now since its just cycleing and no fish will be going in it for awhile. The live rock will be going in a few days, it's still doing well in the buckets outside, they are heated and have powerheads in them. I will put it in after I get some live sand for the tank from a member hopefully in the next few days or so. The substrate that came with the tank is okay but there is not enough...that is still in the bucket also. Anyways here is the video of the tank and sump area, if you see anything out of place let me know b/c this is kinda going by trial or error.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ3BMPcXsXE

If you're getting a bigger skimmer anyway I would suggest sooner rather than later. There will probably be a certain amount of die-off when cycling a new tank and skimming is important during this time.

snow1 · #5 07-12-2010, 08:23 PM

Well I'm waiting for someone to take down their tank, if they will part with the skimmer which they don't know yet, when it's down then I'll take that one. If not I'll go out and buy a new one.

snow1 · #6 07-19-2010, 08:22 AM

Hey all so far it's going good, new pics or video will be up tomorrow. I went into work today and tested my water. I was actually very surprised by the results. Nothing bad is showing up and infact the tank seems ready for fish but I can't get any until I get back. Just have some problems though that maybe you all can help with:

The temp of the tank is 73F. This is to low correct? It should be around 78F? I need to go and buy another heater b/c the one I have is not strong enough I guess.
The PH is at 7.5, is this to low for marine fish? I hear mixed opinions? Some say it should be around 8.

Any input? Thanks.

BlueTang<3 · #7 07-19-2010, 12:43 PM

I keep my tanks at around 78-82 u may need a new heater it is best to run a few smaller ones so if one fails u wont have any heat. As for ph 7.5 is low i see you do not have a skimmer a skimmer will help pull oxygen into tank bringing ph up. Try more surface agitation. Run cheat o in the sump on reverse lighting as display will help.