Is it time to start over

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Started a manage shrimp tank last week along with a 2 domino damsels and one morning I did a salinity test and it shot up to 1040. Reasonably I started panicking , and since I had no conditioner on me. I removed about half of my water and dumped in freshwater strait from the tap. I know this sounds stupid, but I tested my tapwater and it came back no nitrates, nitrates or ammonia. What I didn’t know was I had to wait. I only waited for a minute. ( that’s what was recommended.)
But as I wrapped up, I came back to look at the test and it shot up to 50 for nitrates 10 for nitrates and five for ammonia (it didn’t give me the unit of measurement) I immediately bought and used beneficial bacteria did a 10% water change. It helped a little bit, but I’m not sure if I should take all of the water out and restart. it is probably worth mentioning that I have a 30 gallon tank and my mantis shrimp is showing signs of molting. at this point, I am so confused. I’m not sure if I should just quit and pass it on to someone else. I am really confused and now I see why shrimp isn’t recommended for beginners. It might also be worth mentioning that this is my first saltwater tank and any fish tank in over a year. also, I’m not sure if he’s molting or just adjusting because they had him in a one by one before I bought him about the size of someone’s face. please let me know what I should do. i’m currently debating between a full water change, plants, or giving up. :(

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Please someone help

 

[UncommonSense]

Please someone help

Ideally, get the livestock back into an actually biologically cycled marine aquarium ASAP (maybe your local fish store?)! then, do some research on the chemistry of chlorine in tap water, and how the nitrogen cycle works!

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Ok, biologically cycled fish tank you mean one with benifical bacteria, filters, and ammonia being turned into nitrites to nitrates right

 

[UncommonSense]

I do, you have to be patient and let the bacteria establish themselves; this can take upwards of two month in a marine aquarium… patience is your friend; wait, make sure the chemistry “yo-yo” effect has settled down, then SLOWLY add livestock!

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

I recently put in beneficial bacteria that start the process I think two days ago, the fish store had him in a cube that looked about 1 gallon. No decorations nowhere to hide they didn’t let him eat live food. i’m scared to leave him back to the fish store

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

I don’t know what to do with them while I wait

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

If I buy salt water and buy a decently sized tank, can I put them in there while the tank settles?

 

[UncommonSense]

I don’t know what to do with them while I wait

You may have to return them then start again once your tank has broken in; they will almost certainly perish in an uncycled tank…

 

[UncommonSense]

If I buy salt water and buy a decently sized tank, can I put them in there while the tank settles?

No, do not add livestock to a marine aquarium while it is cycling. Ignore products that claim to instantly cycle the tank. This hobby takes time, and invertebrates especially should not be added to a fresh marine aquarium.

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

as I have statedbefore I have no place to house them while I wait for it to cycle. You might have misinterpreted my question if I buy salt water that has no nitrates nitrates or ammonia and let them quarantine in there while my tank cycles will that work

 

[UncommonSense]

as I have statedbefore I have no place to house them while I wait for it to cycle. You might have misinterpreted my question if I buy salt water that has no nitrates nitrates or ammonia and let them quarantine in there while my tank cycles will that work

In theory, if you do a LOT of water changes, yes. What are you using for biological filtration?

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

In theory, if you do a LOT of water changes, yes. What are you using for biological filtration?

I’m not that experienced so I’m assuming you mean like beneficial bacteria and bottom feeders if so, I got snails for free and I use beneficial bacteria

 

[EliMelly]

Just add Fritz turbo start and get your salinity in line with proper saltwater from an RODI unit.

 

[UncommonSense]

I’m not that experienced so I’m assuming you mean like beneficial bacteria and bottom feeders if so, I got snails for free and I use beneficial bacteria

I mean the material on which the beneficial bacteria will colonize during your tank’s cycling period. I.e.: substrate, porous media in your filtration system, coral skeleton (aka live or dry rock), etc…

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

I mean the material on which the beneficial bacteria will colonize during your tank’s cycling period. I.e.: substrate, porous media in your filtration system, coral skeleton (aka live or dry rock), etc…

Can you dumb it down

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Just add Fritz turbo start and get your salinity in line with proper saltwater from an RODI unit.

So I can filter water with the rodi unit, add fritz turbo then done salt and be fine

 

[UncommonSense]

Can you dumb it down

Uh… that sort of is… I’m sorry man, you’ll need to do at least some rudimentary research on even Google if you want to get into this hobby… maybe try some Bulk Reef Supply videos on YouTube to learn the ropes?

 

[EliMelly]

So I can filter water with the rodi unit, add fritz turbo then done salt and be fine

Kind of, first make RODI water, then mix salt into that, put into the tank, add fritz turbo start.

 

[UncommonSense]

Kind of, first make RODI water, then mix salt into that, put into the tank, add fritz turbo start.

Don’t forget to heat the water to tank temperature first!