Messer 90g Build

[ZakkMesser]

He is keeping the livestock that is in the tank now, for the smaller tank he is going to. When I bring the tank home, should I treat it like everything is new?

[Parrothead]

He is keeping the livestock that is in the tank now, for the smaller tank he is going to. When I bring the tank home, should I treat it like everything is new?

I would, get your self a gallon or 2 of pure white vinegar, and some ro/di water, clean all your pumps, powerheads, and the skimmer. Also get your replacement sand before bringing the tank home, that way you have what you need to get it setup, also find a good tote, to keep your rock wet(just save the water from the tank) while your are cleaning everything and getting the tank ready. Like I said only use about the top inch of the exisiting sand bed.

[ZakkMesser]

Im going to clean the refugium out and start new with that. What do I need to add to start that?

[Parrothead]

for now just some sand, in couple of weeks add some cheato(sp?)

[ZakkMesser]

And, if I wanted to add clowns. Would it be possible to add to two differant pairs of species? Or is the tank not big enough.

[Parrothead]

And, if I wanted to add clowns. Would it be possible to add to two differant pairs of species? Or is the tank not big enough.

Don't worry about fish right now, get the tank, get it set up, and let it run for a couple of weeks just to be safe, in the meantime, like I've mentioned before, start putting together a stock list and research your list to find out whether or not you can do it. ;);););)

[ZakkMesser]

Sorry for such a long delay between posts, but so much has happened between now and the last post i had. I was on a family trip with my parents when we drove through a town and found a pet store that was closing so we went in. I found a fulval 305 filter for $80 bucks and a Coralife 65 gallon skimmer for $60. I know I shouldn't of bought these two items because there are better things to buy but between my excitement of the price and zero patience I bought these two items and this jump started the tank.

So here I am now, I started my tank 5 days ago with these items.
-55 gallon all glass
-Fulval 305
-Coralife 65 gallon skimmer
-300W Theo heater
-Koralia 3 powerhead
-45 pounds of Fuji live rock
-80 pounds of sand

No real point to this post other then to fill you guys in on the changes. I will try to had a picture or two if I can figure it out.

[Parrothead]

Remove what ever bio media is in that fluval, the live rock and sand are your biological filtration, the fluval is a good place for carbon, and other types of stuff like that, and for flow, as I said, get the white rings, if I remember right out of the filter asap. They can and will become a nitrate factory.

[ZakkMesser]

Already a step ahead of you. I got the rings out of there before I even started it up.

[Parrothead]

Already a step ahead of you. I got the rings out of there before I even started it up.

[ZakkMesser]

Are there any other things you thing I need to change or add? And should i just fill the canister up with carbon or is there anything else i can put in there?

[Parrothead]

Just carbon for now, have you gotten a test kit to monitor the water while you are going through the cycle???

[ZakkMesser]

I ordered a test kit from Foster&Smith when i ordered a few other things and one of the vials in the kit was broken when it arrived. I should be getting the returned kit either friday or saturday. All i have now is some cheap 5 in 1 strip tests from walmart that I use in my small freshwater tank.

[Parrothead]

I'd take some water to your lfs, have them check it, don't buy anythng, just have them check the water and post the results, if you can't get there, I guess we'll have to wait till friday

[ZakkMesser]

I would rather walk to the next closest lfs 30 miles away then go to the one in town.

[Parrothead]

Gotcha, Glad you're thinking, if you don't get the warm and fuzzies, take the walk

On you freshwater test kit, how high does your amm. and nitrite read, they might get you by till your sw one gets in, check the water and post the results.

[ZakkMesser]

Here are the very rough results using the Walmart kits

Amm - 0-.25
Nitrate - 20-40
Nitrite - 0-.25
Alk - 180-300
Ph - 7.8

[Parrothead]

Here are the very rough results using the Walmart kits

Amm - 0-.25
Nitrate - 20-40
Nitrite - 0-.25
Alk - 180-300
Ph - 7.8

Toss that test kit in the trash, and wait till you get your other one, what did you order, I wouldn't trust the one you have now to tell you that the water is wet, your amm. and nitrite aren't accurate enough to comment on, the nitrates, I would personally consider to high for this new of a tank, and the alk again to much of a spread to pass judgement. The pH I wouldn't trust, if it's actually 7.8 we would want to raise it to at least 8.0, better would be 8.2 - 8.3, before we do anything we need your other test kit.

[ZakkMesser]

Okay, I got the test kit. I have tested these things 3 differant times and I still get the same results. Doesn't make since.

Amm - 0
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 20
Ph - 8.2

[Parrothead]

Readings are normal for a cycling tank, the order is amm. spike, nitrite spike, and then the nitrites turn into nitrates, pH is damn near perfect. Be patient