Need help 55gal. Reef Tank

[Playful]

Hello all,

This is my first saltwater aquarium and I will be adding pictures following my progress, however I am only on day 3 right now and have a slight concern. A few details about my setup is it is a 55gal. tank with Nova Extreme T5 lighting, running a Rena Filstar xP3 Canister Filter. We plan to add a Protein Skimmer and Wave Maker soon. We have added live sand (which I think is too fine, I don't know) and Seassalt. We have tested the salt levels and they are on target, however this sand/salt has left an insanely bad residue, it is very foamy and looks like sludge all the way around the top of the tank, is this normal? Should I be trying to remove this sludge or is this part of the process? Also, we are putting Live rock in a few days but what else should I be putting into this tank to cycle and stabilize it? Just Live rock, sand, and salt for 8 weeks (or until stable)?

Additionally, are there any other chemicals/nutrients/food I should be putting into this tank during the cycle/stable time? I read somewhere that I should be feeding the tank, but what do you feed an empty tank with just liverock? Can anyone verify that my filtration system will be good enough to keep 6 small fish and a few verts/coral happy? I have seen countless videos/articles on sump pumps and came to the conclusion that this canister filter is basically the same thing only not DIY, am I wrong in this assumption? Can I get by with this media filter without building a sump? Can anyone shed some light on all these new-timer questions?

[rluix]

"Also, we are putting Live rock in a few days but what else should I be putting into this tank to cycle and stabilize it? Just Live rock, sand, and salt for 8 weeks (or until stable)? "
Yep, preaty much.

About the nutrients, and feeding an empty tank, you should just put a piece of raw shrimp in there, so it will be your source of ammonia.

[7digits]

+1 on the raw shrimp, skimmer is needed.

[Playful]

Thanks you two, I am surprised it is "raw" shrimp. About the sludge at the top of the tank, is that normal?

[rluix]

Thanks you two, I am surprised it is "raw" shrimp. About the sludge at the top of the tank, is that normal?

"Yes it is"

[Parrothead]

Did you mix the salt and water outside or inside the tank?

Also the sludge will subside in a couple of days, however a skimmer would speed the process up, if you haven't purchased one yet, look at the aquaC Remora Pro, with the mag 3 pump.

Other than that, let mother nature do her thing........

[rluix]

Did you mix the salt and water outside or inside the tank?

Also the sludge will subside in a couple of days, however a skimmer would speed the process up, if you haven't purchased one yet, look at the aquaC Remora Pro, with the mag 3 pump.

Other than that, let mother nature do her thing........

Correct me if im wrong but doesn't an protein skimmer, in the cycling process, slow down the cycle? its just taking the nutrients that beneficial bacteria need away.

[Parrothead]

A skimmer will not slow down the cycle, a skimmer does alot more than just remove the goo, it also aerates the water, which help keeps things stable and clean.....

[gregr]

Welcome to a great hobby
Since you have liverock, livesand, and you're planning on adding a skimmer I'd suggest you get rid of the cannister filter. Maybe you could keep it around for times when you want to run some carbon. The problem with cannister filters in general is they tend to create nitrate problems. Without the cannister you'll have what most reefkeepers have for a filtration system-- the Berlin system. It's just liverock, livesand and a good skimmer. That and regular water changes will keep your tank healthy, assuming you don't overstock and overfeed. You need good water (reverse osmosis/dionized preferably) of course... good saltmix. And regular topping off with freshwater to replace what evaporates.
Have you read up on the "cycle" your tank is going thru now? In a week or two you should start testing the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates so you'll know when the cycle is done.

[Playful]

Thanks everyone, got a Skimmer and Wave Maker today although we are having a helluva time figuring out how to put the Skimmer together properly, so it is not on the tank yet. (It's the "hang-on" type) The kit says it comes with everything included but there seems no logical way to attach the weedle to the pump thing. The instructions are the worse ever written IMO. Additonally, we did not mix the salt and the water prior to putting it ino the tank, newbie mistake #1 I'm guessing. But I am aware that when making future water changes this needs to be done and then left to sit up to 48hours before using the water.

Should I be making any water changes to this empty tank with just the Live rock in? How long should the raw shrimp be in the tank?

[gregr]

Correct on the mix first and wait a while before adding to the tank. Be sure to match salinity and temp before you add to the tank. Since there's no fish or corals in there yet there's no harm done though you may have killed some of what was living in the liverock. No water changes til the cycle is done. On the raw shrimp question- don't know about that since I never tried that method. I actually never added anything to my current tank when it was cycling- the stuff in the liverock did it all by itself. The only other tank I ever cycled was so long ago I forgot
What kind of skimmer did you get?

[Playful]

What kind of skimmer did you get?

Coralife Super Skimmer 33000 for up to 65gal. I have read in posts that AquaC Remora would've been better but this was the best one our LFS had, and since we did not realize we needed this 5 days ago when we started the tank, we thought we better get one asap instead of ordering. I am relieved though we can do away with the canister, but if we need to run carbon through how will we know? How often should the canister be used if we do eventually keep it turned off? The salinity is fine in the tank atm and the LRock went in today, I do think we killed some of the life on it as we saw a little critter kill over right as it entered the water. About the live sand also, does sand die? Does sand need to be replaced?
Going to fish (pun intended) out the camera and add some progress photos soon.

[Playful]

Also the sludge will subside in a couple of days

That's the thing, it's been 5 days and there is still a inch of slime residue around the entire top. Still normal? The Skimmer has not been hooked up yet, the only thing running the tank atm is the heater, the canister filter, and the wave maker. Everything seems to be running properly.

[7digits]

On the raw shrimp question, when I did it I put it in some panty hose and hung it on the side. 12 hours later I checked my ammonia levels and they were through the roof. They were way higher than I could test for. So I took it out, did a water change and monitored it daily and watched it come down as nitrites went up.

[Parrothead]

That's the thing, it's been 5 days and there is still a inch of slime residue around the entire top. Still normal? The Skimmer has not been hooked up yet, the only thing running the tank atm is the heater, the canister filter, and the wave maker. Everything seems to be running properly.

Number one, figure out the skimmer and get it going, Number 2, you can take a net and scoop out some of the sludge, I agree with gregr on the canister filter, you can remove it or take all the media out of it and use it for additional flow, carbon can and is used 24/7, just change it out every 14 - 21 days, it won't hurt anything.

[Playful]

I agree with gregr on the canister filter, you can remove it or take all the media out of it and use it for additional flow, carbon can and is used 24/7, just change it out every 14 - 21 days, it won't hurt anything.

Ok, so take out all the little sponges and rings and stuff and just run carbon only through it? I am curious as to why canisters are known to cause Nitrate problems?
We got the Skimmer up and running today. It is making little bubbles ontop but I have no idea if it's actually running properly, I know it takes time for the Skimmer to get broke in so I hope it's running as it should be. At this point we realize maybe we should have made a seperate tank for these things but we are comfortable at least with what's hanging in and on the tank.

I know we should've had the Live Rock bought before doing this but at this point I think we are enjoying shopping for the Rocks just as much as the Fish. I am so amazed at the lifeforms and coral that can come on them. Right now we only have 2 bought from the LFS claiming to be "Premium Fiji" but yeah, I am not as pleased with them compared to what I have seen online. Looking for a good LR supplier if anyone can toss any suggestions.

After arranging things, we thought would be best to take off the glass panels ontop. Read somewhere was/is good to have an open top tank for reef aquariums? My question is, we are both smokers. How is this going to effect the tank? Because we are new, we had already filled the tank 6 days ago before adding the Skimmer. We were supposed to leave 6-8 inches between the wall and the aquarium which we failed to do and the Skimmer ended up being placed on the right side. Now the light will only situate itself in the center making using the glass panels ontop impossible without taking off the light. I don't think there is any other possible solution outside of draining the tank completely and wondered how our smoking would effect it? My husband has already nearly dropped the light in the tank while it was plugged in and turned on.

I don't think I am able to change the title of this thread but because it is very informative I would like to just stick with it for my progress with this tank if that's ok. It is quite bare and abit lonely looking but here are the first screens of week #1:

[Chasman]

If you keep your canister filter running, you can use a surface skimmer on the inlet which will help with smoking and probably quickly cure some of the surface film you now have. I'm a smoker and I use this thing on my display tank and my QT. Google "Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer" and you will see what I'm talking about. They are cheap and work well after you figure out how to adjust it.

I run Chemi-Pure Elite carbon in my canister (that's all that is in it) and change it monthly.

Chasman

[Playful]

Thanks Chasman,

Right now the rocks are starting to turn alittle white ontop. I just finished ordering A Saltwater Master's Test Kit but don't have the cash atm to grab the Reef Kit so no way to test my Cal. I was wondering if anyone could recommend (after I get the testing kits needed) some buffer, rock food, or suppliments that I should be using to help keep the rocks healthy and speed up the process alittle? I am in no hurry at all to add fish, just interested in helping the rock, reef/rock survive and thrive. I am about to purchase some mighty nice Live Rock and although Die-Off is expected, anything to help the rocks along would be a helping suggestion. I am not expecting an instant Reef but I would hate to buy these pricey rocks and wait 6mo. + to see them come alive again. I know short-cuts are a no no but surely my empty tank of just saltwater, sand, and 2 rocks could use alittle something to keep the rocks healthy when they arrive. Any ideas?

[7digits]

The bacteria you need on them feeds off of ammonia which it turns into nitrites which it again turns into nitrates. To speed the cycle along a bit you could put a piece of raw shrimp from the grocery store in there for a day. That will produce enough ammonia to get the bacteria colony going thus kinda jump starting the cycle a bit. I did it for 12 hours and my ammonia went way up. Then over the next few days it slowly dropped and the nitrites went up. Then the nitrites started to drop and the nitrates started going up. I don't think you need to worry much about calcium at this point or any other additives yet. If ph is low you could add some baking powder and if it is high add vinegar.

[Playful]

If ph is low you could add some baking powder and if it is high add vinegar.

I have been lurking all day trying to find the dosages of this. I know I read this somewhere before but cannot seem to find it. Any idea what the proper dosages would be if using your method? I am entering week #2 and the testing kit won't be here for another 7 days but would really love to have that info on hand.

I ordered this Aquarium Biological Starters: Cycle from Hagen Biological Water Conditioner and am wondering if this is a mistake? I just want the water in good shape for when the rocks arrive, and should I buy coral food? Like I said some of the rocks are really beautiful with very small coral/lifeforms beginning to spring up. ALL feedback very welcomed!