So i have a new reef tank that i put up about 2 1/2 weeks ago i used bacteria drops to start it then i added 4 clown fish and a couple corals they are all doing fine, besides my clown fish sleep sideways at the surface of the tank super weird. it is 37g bio cube with a marine LED light, aqua clear 50 filter, and a 500 GPH circ fan, My levels currently are Ammonia: 1.0 ppm, calcium: 500 ppm, KH:10 dkh, Phos: .25 Nitrate: 0 ppm, Salinity: .025. Are these levels good? Have i hit my cycle yet?
New reef tank please help
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mich2599
Valuable Member
Ammonia should be always 0. Meaning your tank has not properly cycled yet. Cycling should be done without any livestock for at least 2 weeks IMO. You will get a reading of 0 for ammonia and nitrates will become detected once the tank cycles. After that, comes the “uglies” a series of stages where all kinds of algae starts to grow on the glass, rocks, and substrate.
ShaunRobinson
Active Member
Stop what you are doing! You have added fish, corals and an Anemone before your tank has even cycled.So i have a new reef tank that i put up about 2 1/2 weeks ago i used bacteria drops to start it then i added 4 clown fish and a couple corals they are all doing fine, besides my clown fish sleep sideways at the surface of the tank super weird. it is 37g bio cube with a marine LED light, aqua clear 50 filter, and a 500 GPH circ fan, My levels currently are Ammonia: 1.0 ppm, calcium: 500 ppm, KH:10 dkh, Phos: .25 Nitrate: 0 ppm, Salinity: .025. Are these levels good? Have i hit my cycle yet?
Read and understand this before you do anything else.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/
the experts at highly reviewed stores have tested my water and have said it was alright to cycle my tank using fish, i highly doubt they would have sold me fish knowing they wouldnt survive
jeffchapok
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The fish might survive, but it's cruel to expose them to ammonia. It burns their gills. It would be like one of us being exposed to low levels of a toxic gas.
In such a new tank, invertebrates and corals are unlikely to survive. You are causing them needless suffering and wasting money to boot.
In such a new tank, invertebrates and corals are unlikely to survive. You are causing them needless suffering and wasting money to boot.
JoshH
Tank Status: Wet...ish, growing things....
I don't trust any LFS anymore. They are, after all, in business to sell you things. And most, not all, take this over offering sound advice. FWIW no reputable LFS would EVER sell a new reefer 4 clownfish to stick in a 37Gal box. I would Highly recommend returning two of them and keeping a close eye on all your parameters for the next month orso. Welcome to reefing, you've definately dove head first which is fun but you need to understand any advice given here is only to help you out. None of us want to see a tank full of dead clowns and a frustrated and upset new reefer:)
I would change half that water to get the ammonia down (that'll cut it in half) Do not vacuum it disturb sand.
Ammonia is more dangerous when you have nitrites (nitrates don't matter much at this point for you).
If you see nitrites begin to climb, make sure you get ammonia down. Ammonia becomes toxic at .25 but more so if nitrites are present. Keep that in mind.
Unfortunately as part of the cycle nitrites will come into play. You may lose the fish at that time. Fish stir didn't do you a favor selling the fish to use for cycling. That's kind of old school you could say. Can it be done, sure. Are there better ways? Sure.
Ammonia is more dangerous when you have nitrites (nitrates don't matter much at this point for you).
If you see nitrites begin to climb, make sure you get ammonia down. Ammonia becomes toxic at .25 but more so if nitrites are present. Keep that in mind.
Unfortunately as part of the cycle nitrites will come into play. You may lose the fish at that time. Fish stir didn't do you a favor selling the fish to use for cycling. That's kind of old school you could say. Can it be done, sure. Are there better ways? Sure.
ShaunRobinson
Active Member
Was it these same stores that sold you the Anemone too?
Really trying to be helpful here mate and I know cycling with fish is becoming the norm in these days of folks having little time for anything. There is nothing wrong with it done properly.
My advice would be to buy some test kits, read the link above and understand what is happening in an aquarium with regards to cycling and the care of any livestock you plan to purchase and it will make you a better reefkeeper.
Good luck,
Shaun.
mich2599
Valuable Member
Okay well you never want to cycle a tank with livestock. Things can go south very quickly and with that the livestock. I believe most of us are in the hobby as we admire these wonderful creatures and would never put them through such suffering. Otherwise why be in the hobby?
JoshH probly more so they are unknowingly messing up, not purposely giving bad advice.
Most stores are just kids working there getting minimum wage to bag things up. Granted there's a wealth of knowledge online but they are more interested in other things. Most of them.
Most stores are just kids working there getting minimum wage to bag things up. Granted there's a wealth of knowledge online but they are more interested in other things. Most of them.
JoshH
Tank Status: Wet...ish, growing things....
AMMO LOCK will temporarily bind with the harmful type of ammonia making it not harmful but this is a temporary effect and will wear off if a water change isn't done in a short time frame.
you are right and im sorry i was just coming to R2R just for help, i didn't expect to get so much hate over something i was trying to learn, i never wanted to put any animal through anytime type of suffering
JoshH
Tank Status: Wet...ish, growing things....
I agree this is probably the situation going on, my response was more so based on my experiences with local fish stores in my area. Have had some and seen some incredibly horrible advice given by "reputable" staff before and it just irks me in all the wrong ways.
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