How long before introducing fish to the saltwater aquarium

[Allan]

Hi folk,just wondered how long before I can introduce fish to my newly set up Juwel 400 reef marine tank.I introduced some crabs a boxer shrimp and some mushroom corals from my nano tank at the weekend and these are all doing well.I was thinking of waiting until after Christmas.Just wondered how long I should wait.Salt level is fine and nitrates are zero.

[leebca]

It seems like you are not starting from scratch but instead moving marine life from a nano tank to this new tank. If that is the case, do your ammonia and nitrite testing for a couple of days and if the test results show none detected of both, then go to the next step -- checking on calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity.

It would be a good idea though to not put the fish in until after a 6-week quarantine, in which case you would wait another 6 weeks before this addition. If you are not going to quarantine the fish, then the tank should be ready after it shows a consistent reading of none detected for both ammonia and nitrites AND the alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium are balanced. You mention zero nitrates, but that isn't the important chemistry to be testing for, in the case of fish.

If in doubt, go slower. if you have checked for calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity and they are all balanced and no ammonia and nitrite is detected, you can proceed to add the first quarantined fish. If you haven't balanced these three, then work on this before putting in anymore marine life. Make sure all your tests are being done with a test kit (not test strips).

[Reefing Madness]

When your Ammonia and Nitrites are 0, and Nitrates are below 40. You can slowly start to add fish.

[Allan]

I have zero Nitrates but I have noticed the coral sand which I have in there is going green and I have to turn it to hide the green algae.Not having fish in there I was wondering if I have too much light,or too many hours with the lights on.They are put on at 7.30 am and turned off at about 9pm.is this too long?.Also the tank is opposite a well lit window.Any Ideas on how much light and for how long is the recommended.

[leebca]

The control of algae is rarely successful unless you address multiple conditions. Hobbyists that suggest reducing the light usually don't realize just how adaptive Nature can be. Reduce the light, and other types of algae (those that like lower lighting) will thrive. I think the most likely problem with regards to lighting that you face, is being near a window. Natural light is a real incentive for algae to grow. Cut back your lighting of the tank, sure, but can you keep it away from the natural lighting?

Other ways to help deal with algae control is to reduce their nutrients. You can reduce organics in the water, phosphates, and nitrates. Since you have low nitrates and algae, then most likely it is the algae that is taking up the nitrates (and phosphates) that are currently there. You can help starve algae by finding and reducing where they are getting their phosphates and nitrates. Reduce these sources, then reducing the lighting will be even more effective.

When you put fish in, they will add a lot to your nitrate source. Before this, see if your source water contains any phosphates or nitrates (do tests on it). Are you adding anything to the aquarium/system now? See if it contains any phosphates and/or nitrates. If you are using a salt mix, does it contain excess phosphates and/or nitrates?

When you start feeding your fish, the foods you feed will carry phosphates with them -- it will be unavoidable, BUT you don't want to use foods that are loaded or overloaded with phosphates (especially juicy foods where the juice isn't eaten but just adds phosphates to the water).

Another way of dealing with nitrates is to put in some competition for the algae. Some of these are 'over the top' and usually not needed unless you have a significant problem. These include: chemical absorbants that specifically remove nitrates, and/or macro algae in a refugium, and/or a deep sand bed, and/or a nitrate reactor. Same goes for phosphates -- there are phosphate filters and absorbants.

Lastly try to control organics. Are you using a skimmer? Are you using a chemical filter (like activated carbon)? Is the skimmer working properly? Is it properly sized? Are you keeping it clean? Is the chemical filter being properly maintained (cleaning it out and replacing spent absorbants)? And finally, making sure you are keeping your mechanical filter clean. The less 'rotting' organics you have in the system, the less organics and nitrates will be in the water.

Once you've gotten a good handle on this, a clean up crew (espcially of snails) can control the rest. BUT all the above is based on the matter being 'algae.' It IS algae, right? I mean you are not saying "algae" when it is really red 'algae' or diatoms or microbial life other than algae that is liviing off of sunlight and the above nutrients?

If you can, think of any way(s) you might keep the natural sunlight from hitting the aquarium.

Regardig lighting amounts, it sort of depends on how much other nutrients there are. I keep my lights on 14 hours a day with 3 hours of very intense lighting. I have fish only w/live rock tanks with a large fish bioload. But I've taken the other steps mentioned above plus have fish that eat algae = no algae is visible. I hope you can see that there is no 'magic number' of lighting hours. You can experiment with different times to see if it helps, but don't forget the other things mentioned above.

[Reefing Madness]

I have zero Nitrates but I have noticed the coral sand which I have in there is going green and I have to turn it to hide the green algae.Not having fish in there I was wondering if I have too much light,or too many hours with the lights on.They are put on at 7.30 am and turned off at about 9pm.is this too long?.Also the tank is opposite a well lit window.Any Ideas on how much light and for how long is the recommended.

Couple things. Yes the outside light will tend to get you more algae. Second, your lighting should only run 8-10 hours. Yours is on for quite a long time, your trying to mimic the ocean with the lighting. Sun up to sun down. Also, check your phosphates, these being detectable will also get you some algae.