My new 17 gallon tank

[vayne]

Hello everyone. I am new to this marvellous world of saltwater tanks. I acquired 2 months ago a nano tank, around 17 gallons. Got my tools ready, bout the sand, Caribbean life rock, filter, skimmer and a wave maker as well.

This is the tank currently. I have been running it for around 3 weeks, give or take few days.

Equipment

Lightning: Prime 16HD
Filter: Comline 3162 - Tunze
Skimmer: Comline DOC Skimmer 9001
Wavemaker: Jebao slw 10

I have tested it for NO2, pH, NO3, NH4 so far.

pH: 8,0
NO2: <0,01
NO3: 1
NO4: <0,05
Temp: 80.6 °F
Salinity: 1.026

Is this enough, or I should run any other testes, make perhaps some changes to these values?

For livestock, I plan on getting two clowns, a cleaning crew, and a shrimp so far. I am rather scared of adding corals thus far, since I have zero experience.

 

[blaxsun]

You can skip No2 and No4. I'd probably invest in one of those Seachem Ammonia Alert badges (they just stick on the inside of the tank). Po4 phosphates is really the only other test you need. If you stay on top of water changes (10% every 2 weeks) you'll typically replenish your alkalinity, calcium and magnesium (which are really only important for corals).

Corals really aren't as insidious to maintain as the impression can sometimes be. If you stay on top of water changes, routine testing is really the only thing you need to do (Ca, Mg and Kh tests are needed if you get into corals). You've pretty much got everything you need.

Just remember the most important rule for corals: Buy what you can afford to replace.

 

[Reeferjunkie]

Welcome to r2r and looks like You have a great start and found the best place to be.

 

[vayne]

You can skip No2 and No4. I'd probably invest in one of those Seachem Ammonia Alert badges (they just stick on the inside of the tank). Po4 phosphates is really the only other test you need. If you stay on top of water changes (10% every 2 weeks) you'll typically replenish your alkalinity, calcium and magnesium (which are really only important for corals).

Corals really aren't as insidious to maintain as the impression can sometimes be. If you stay on top of water changes, routine testing is really the only thing you need to do (Ca, Mg and Kh tests are needed if you get into corals). You've pretty much got everything you need.

Just remember the most important rule for corals: Buy what you can afford to replace.

Wow, that is great. I'll make sure to pick the Seachem Ammonia Alert badge up today. It's crazy the amount of neat tools available. I'll post my Po4 as well, sure.

Thank you for the tips!

Welcome to r2r and looks like You have a great start and found the best place to be.

Thank you!
Do you think I could start slowly introducing some livestock like fish as of now?

 

[blaxsun]

If the tank has cycled, yes. I'd toss in the ammonia badge and maybe start with some snails and hermit crabs as part of your cleaning crew.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Hello everyone. I am new to this marvellous world of saltwater tanks. I acquired 2 months ago a nano tank, around 17 gallons. Got my tools ready, bout the sand, Caribbean life rock, filter, skimmer and a wave maker as well.

This is the tank currently. I have been running it for around 3 weeks, give or take few days.

Equipment

Lightning: Prime 16HD
Filter: Comline 3162 - Tunze
Skimmer: Comline DOC Skimmer 9001
Wavemaker: Jebao slw 10

I have tested it for NO2, pH, NO3, NH4 so far.

pH: 8,0
NO2: <0,01
NO3: 1
NO4: <0,05
Temp: 80.6 °F
Salinity: 1.026

Is this enough, or I should run any other testes, make perhaps some changes to these values?

For livestock, I plan on getting two clowns, a cleaning crew, and a shrimp so far. I am rather scared of adding corals thus far, since I have zero experience.

ammonia (NH3) should be zero before starting, so make double sure its good. also maybe lower the temp 2 degrees, 80 is pretty warm, most keep their tanks around 78 F. NH4+ (ammonium) is fairly harmless

 

[vayne]

ammonia (NH3) should be zero before starting, so make double sure its good. also maybe lower the temp 2 degrees, 80 is pretty warm, most keep their tanks around 78 F. NH4+ (ammonium) is fairly harmless

On the JBL stuff I got I had NH4 only sadly.. thought that would be the test to do as it shows currently 0. Should I be getting the NH3 test too?

 

[SlugSnorter]

On the JBL stuff I got I had NH4 only sadly.. thought that would be the test to do as it shows currently 0. Should I be getting the NH3 test too?

Yes! NH4+ is different than NH3 and is non(overslimpifled, this is a whole debate) toxic and does not directly indicate levels of NH3

 

[vayne]

Yes! NH4+ is different than NH3 and is non(overslimpifled, this is a whole debate) toxic and does not directly indicate levels of NH3

I am picking it up and testing it as soon as possible.

 

[vayne]

I find it strange JBL doesnt have NH3 on the combi tests could not find it

 

[SlugSnorter]

I find it strange JBL doesnt have NH3 on the combi tests could not find it

you can use the redsea or sailfurt ones too. Even... API if you really want to

 

[bnord]

Welcome to the forum and you have the right set up and are asking all the right questions.

As to coral additions, depending on the quality of the source - trusted friend, our Local vendor, a trumpet coral, paving, or Duncan can also add to the tanks biodiversity and improve the time to maturity.

And water changes can get you through a lot, especially in the early days

Reefbuilders videos speaks to this and can be helpful and encouraging. Agree with the above, however, do not add what you cannot afford to lose at this early stage

viel Glück !

 

[vayne]

you can use the redsea or sailfurt ones too. Even... API if you really want to

Tested and right now shows around Nh3 0,25 mg/l.. its been showing that for around 3 days

I was wondering what could this be the brown spots appearing all over my rock and filter sand too

 

[vayne]

I think I might have found out about what it is... those are likely diatoms right? It kinda turned brownish and populated the whole sand and rock too..

Is it beneficial, is it like a new symptoms for a new aquarium? Should I be worried?