New Tank Set-up!!!!

[ysuscuba]

Hi, I set up my new 42 gal hex about a week ago. I have live sand and rock in the tank. I am using a power head 402 to circulate the water, and a red sea protein skimmer for tanks 100 gal's or less. I have been monitoring the levels every day. I have excellent lighting on the tank. I have noticed that my NH3 ammonia levels are high (in fact extremely high according to the charts 1.6, which means extremely toxic to fish and invertebrate.) Is this a normal process for a new tank? Is there something I can do to help bring the levels down?? I am new in this hobby so a little advice will go a long way! I will be posting some pic of this set-up tonight!

[ysuscuba]

Also my skimmer is bringing water in the collection cup. I have played around with it for a few days know and I am still getting a little foam and a ton of water. Is this ok??

[Leddy]

its best to just let it be. dont start adding chemicals and such, just let that bacteria in the rock feed off the ammonia. you could do a partial water change, maybe 10 percent or like 5 gallons, but be sure that the new water you add has the same specific gravity as the tank, and be sure its aged and dechlorinated. you could also put a piece of shrimp from the grocery store in the tank, that will speed up the bacteria reproduction, but, i would just let it be for another week or two, being sure to test it now and then because it can change overnight. as for the skimmer, it may still be in a "break in" period, give it time. i'm not familiar with the prism skimmers, but sometimes if you lift up on the collection cup it helps it out. see what happens after next week though. cool

leddy

[Poseidon]

Yup that is NORMAL... you do not need to do a water change, just let it run. As far as your skimmer goes, it should not be putting water into the collection cup. Keep adjusting it till you get just foam. Plus it may take awhile for your skimmer to actually start pulling gunk out, being the tank is so new.

[Poseidon]

PS NO2 is next!!!! Nitrite!

[reewik]

I too own a 42 hex, any pics yet? Here is mine, if you go to my site you will see more.

[ysuscuba]

Thanks for the advice!! The skimmer started to work today! Also I will post the pic's later tonight!

[reewik]

Tell us more about your system too. I love to see that other reefers try an unusual tank instead of a standard. I also have a 120 that I am sure will some day be salt but for now it is fresh and will stay that way for atleast another year.

[ysuscuba]

I have 3 tanks. My first tank is a little 5-gallon min-bow. This tank has been up and running for about a year and half. It has been a really promising tank and it currently has a molly miller residing in it. I also have two blue-legged hermit crabs wondering around in the tank. The five-gallon set-up consists of a little heater, Min-power head, a 20-gallon filter (to help the min pump with circulation), A ton of live rock and sand. I also added a bubble line cause my girlfriend wanted bubbles! Next, is my pre-drilled (1 overflow) 90 gallon tank. This tank was a backbreaker for me. I spent around 3,000 dollars on this tank. Currently the tank is empty due to family issues. This is way I just bought and set-up the 42 hexagon tank. I have two 402 power heads, Amiracle reef pro 150 filter/sump, 270 dual dolphin pump and a 560 dual pump, 9watt double helix UV sterilizer, and much more that I can not think of right know. I have a canopy and an oak stand for the tank. Last I own a 42 gallon hexagon tank. I will finish this post later cause I have to get back to work!!!! Also how do you post pic on this site??

[Poseidon]

Sounds cool, to post pics, use the Manage Attachments button below the REply box. Its under "Additional Options"