Tank Arrived today

[James Hammett]

These are the tests we have done on our tank water since setting up on 2/12/2018. We have still not added any livestock. Because NO3 NH3 NO2 have not come back to zero. doi these numbers make sense for a new set up? The kids and I are starting to feel a bit confused as th whats going on under the tank lid.

 

[Samina]

First off let me say I think what your doing is great ! Theres nothing better than a hands on approach . Here are a couple of suggestions for an ATO and controller they have both served me well and last . Does the RODI unit that you have access to have a TDS meter attached and are the sentiment filter carbon block Ro membrane and resin changed when needed ? Feel free to PM me your shipping info .

That is awesome of you to offer!! Kudos to you as this class tank is a great learning experience for all especially the students.

 

[Samina]

These are the tests we have done on our tank water since setting up on 2/12/2018. We have still not added any livestock. Because NO3 NH3 NO2 have not come back to zero. doi these numbers make sense for a new set up? The kids and I are starting to feel a bit confused as th whats going on under the tank lid.

Seems like your cycle is coming along nicely. Numbers seem right. NO3 is not going to come down on its own like NH3 or NO2. To get NO3 down, you have to do water changes or incorporate some sort of denitrification into the system (ie. purigen, marinepure, etc). However, I wouldn’t use any of that as I think the tank needs to go through this process on its own to establish.

As far as Ammonia goes, are you dosing it or ghost feeding or something else? I mean it going down nicely, and NO2 is increasing. All in all, I would say your numbers are to be expected. Your still in the cycling stage, but seems like your on the homestretch. When you no longer register Ammonia or Nitrite then your cycled.

 

[James Hammett]

I have g

Seems like your cycle is coming along nicely. Numbers seem right. NO3 is not going to come down on its own like NH3 or NO2. To get NO3 down, you have to do water changes or incorporate some sort of denitrification into the system (ie. purigen, marinepure, etc). However, I wouldn’t use any of that as I think the tank needs to go through this process on its own to establish.

As far as Ammonia goes, are you dosing it or ghost feeding or something else? I mean it going down nicely, and NO2 is increasing. All in all, I would say your numbers are to be expected. Your still in the cycling stage, but seems like your on the homestretch. When you no longer register Ammonia or Nitrite then your cycled.

I did Ghost feed with some tropical fish flakes last week as recommended I still see some flake laying on my sand in the tank.

 

[hecterma]

I know this sounds cliche but patience is key. It seems like it's coming along nicely.

 

[EmdeReef]

I have g

I did Ghost feed with some tropical fish flakes last week as recommended I still see some flake laying on my sand in the tank.

Looks like everything is going well! Once ammonia hits zero and stays that way after more feeding, your tank will be ready for a fish. You don't have to worry as much about nitrites and don't worry about nitrates at all, especially at this stage.
Can check this out as well: http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FIC-Complete-Curriculum.pdf

You may want to speak with a LFS to see if they'd be willing to do some basic quarantine, last thing you want is to introduce ich/velvet and have to run the tank fallow for weeks...

 

[vector824]

Yeah numbers are trending the right direction! I'd get your NO2 as close to zero as possible before adding livestock, NO3 isn't as big of a deal. My NO3 was over 80 and my tank was happy, got it down to under twenty and everyone perked up even more. So don't sweat the parameters too much.

Make sure you replace with fresh water to keep your salinity <1.026, seems like its creeping up due to evaporation. (I'm sure you know this)

 

[James Hammett]

Yeah numbers are trending the right direction! I'd get your NO2 as close to zero as possible before adding livestock, NO3 isn't as big of a deal. My NO3 was over 80 and my tank was happy, got it down to under twenty and everyone perked up even more. So don't sweat the parameters too much.

Make sure you replace with fresh water to keep your salinity <1.026, seems like its creeping up due to evaporation. (I'm sure you know this)

did a top of and water check this morning. salinity is back to 1.024. Will post numbers in a bit.

 

[James Hammett]

Todays numbers: questions is it a big deal that the PH dropped to 7.6? is there anything i should do at this point other than continue to wait?I did. have to top the tank off salinity was up to 1.028 again. Thinking I will need to find an ATO after all, Looked at some homemade with floats but can't figure out how to make that presentable in a classroom environment.

 

[Mikedawg]

This guys wasn’t in my tank when we set up. I didn’t use live rock. I since added one small piece of live rock attained at Petco and 20 pounds of live sand from the same so he must have been in or on one of those. Any Idea what it is.... looks like some kind of flat worm to me maybe???

Might refer your class to this article and engender some discussion: http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/hitchworms.html

 

[James Hammett]

thanks great

Might refer your class to this article and engender some discussion: http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/hitchworms.html

Thanks great article, I am collecting all these resources that are being shared and we will be doing research projects on different aspects or marine ecosystems and aquaria. We are also planning a science fair project dealing with corals and fragging for the Google science fair next year. So thanks for the contribution.

 

[James Hammett]

Latest numbers... did 20% water change to lower KH salinity at 1.025 after change

 

[James Hammett]

Adding 3 blue legged Hermit Crabs this afternoon The LFS said this would be a good test? and in a couple days if all goes well a full CUC?

 

[James Hammett]

Guess this Hermit is KING of The HILL

Here is where we are 3 Hermits added as a test. Ammonia and Nitrites at 0 deciding what our next move should be.

 

[JBKReef]

Things look to be progressing well...What would you say is your biggest need right now?

Salt for water changes? KH test kit? Gift Card to Live Aquaria? Bacteria booster (BioSpira) and ammonia for the fishless cycle?

 

[James Hammett]

JBKReef Thanks for asking. I think the biggest need right now is an ATO unit to bring stability to the Salinity.

But you bring up questions " Fishless Cycle?" does that ammonia not come from Ghost Feeding? I have a supply of ammonium Chloride that I am using in a freshwater aquaponics system will that work? haven't considered a Bacteria Booster, is that the same as the microbater7 that came with the tank kit? Every time I feel like we are getting a hand on this cycle more questions come up. IT has truly been a great learning experience for me-and the kids.

 

[JBKReef]

JBKReef Thanks for asking. I think the biggest need right now is an ATO unit to bring stability to the Salinity.

But you bring up questions " Fishless Cycle?" does that ammonia not come from Ghost Feeding? I have a supply of ammonium Chloride that I am using in a freshwater aquaponics system will that work? haven't considered a Bacteria Booster, is that the same as the microbater7 that came with the tank kit? Every time I feel like we are getting a hand on this cycle more questions come up. IT has truly been a great learning experience for me-and the kids.

Ghost feeding would be fine for the ammonia, but I've only really seen that done with frozen food or a piece of shrimp like someone else mentioned. Are you seeing spikes in ammonia anytime you do ghost feed?

I've only ever used ammonium chloride for cycling a tank... that being said since you already have crabs in the tank I would be hesitant to add any access ammonia other than ghost feeding.

Did the ATO @Streetdoc77 was talking about with you fall through?

 

[James Hammett]

I Assume it did I havent heard back from him since I sent my shipping address. I have been checking salinity in the morning when I get to school and before leaving at night. Weekends get a little tougher.

 

[JBKReef]

I Assume it did I havent heard back from him since I sent my shipping address. I have been checking salinity in the morning when I get to school and before leaving at night. Weekends get a little tougher.

The one benefit you have with a lid on the biocube is it will drastically cut down on evaporation. So yes the salinity swings are not good for corals and to a lesser degree the fish, but you might not be seeing drastic swings because the top of tank is covered.

Covers have their point of sale/negs: you're seeing the benefit in lower evaporation, the negatives are lower gas exchange to add oxygen to the water which I believe will lower PH eventually.

 

[hecterma]

Guess this Hermit is KING of The HILL

Here is where we are 3 Hermits added as a test. Ammonia and Nitrites at 0 deciding what our next move should be.

I think you are ready for a fish. I recommend a clownfish, it's hardy and the kids will love it. No need to add ammonia, the cycle is complete.

Fyi....... If you have no fish you may want to feed the hermit crabs once in a while so they don't starve. I learned that the hard way, my hermits ate all of my snails when I first started[emoji852].