Setup, etc

[dileggi]

Hello All,

I am new to this hobby and to this forum. I currently have an 80g African Cichlid tank, which has been up and running for at least 6 years now. This is my firs attempt at a reef tank. I'm not even sure if I'm in the correct thread, if not, please feel free to re-direct me.

I am currently setting up a Bio Cube 29. A cousin of mine set one up about a year ago and I just couldn't help getting one after seeing his. I just wasn't sure on the advice given by him because it had seemed way too easy and "ill informed", so someone at my LFS had pointed me in the direction of this site.

Thus far, this is what I have going:

Water has been in the tank for 4 days, with 29 lbs of live sand to help cycle. I've added some Cycle to the tank as well.
Salinity was 1.023, but last night was 1.021.
PH at 8.2
Amonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Temp at 77.6 F.

I have not added anything to the Oceanic Bio Cube in the way of heat or protein skimmer as I was told that the tank was only desinged to be used with "what came with it." I was told that the lighting and fans would keep the temp stable.

I am aware that as the tank cycles over the next 6 weeks or so, these levels will spike and then reset.

I guess what I am asking at this point is am I currently doing everything as I should? And, what maintenance schedule should I look to keep to as far as water changes, water testing, etc.?

Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[mbbuna]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

S. Philly? what LFS?

what are you planing on keeping?

do you have any live rock in there?

natural sea water salinity is 1.026 so i would shoot for that.

i dont know if the lights will be enough to heat the tank. i guess that depends on how cold your house gets in the winter. i think you can get a 50watt heater for about $20

i dont know how much of a cycle your going to get with just live sand. and i would'nt bother with the cycling products, it will do it all on its own.

to get the ball rolling through a small cocktail shrimp in the tank. then test ammonia and nitrites untill the both raise and fall. the start testing nitrates when you start to so some your good to go.

i do 10% water changes per week but most people seem to do 10% to 20% per month

[amike5]

If you are looking to create a reef, you need to get some live rock in there and a heater to bump up that temperature a little. You should also consider a skimmer, saphire aquatics makes a decent one that will fit where the bioballs are currently at.

[mbbuna]

heres a few threads that should answer some additional questions you might have

http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074

[bertoni]

This article covers all the water parameters:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

It's a very useful summary, and includes information on supplementation.

[dileggi]

Hey Mbbuna: to answer the question of which pet store in S. Philly, the Pet's Mart at 24th & Oregon. Someone in Monster Pets also suggested this site as well, but the guy in Pet's Mart was by far the most helpful.

Someone else had mentioned a cocktail shrimp. I really thought it was a joke. I'm assuming I'll just let it decay in the tank and forego the Damsels? Also, considering the tank is only a 29, would one shrimp be sufficient?

I appreciate the info on the heater as well. I can't seem to get my temp above 77.6, and that's with the lights running about 12 hours per day. I'll just invest in the heater and play it safe.

Thanks again!

Amike5 suggested the protein skimmer to go where the bioballs are currently at. I'm assuming that the protein skimmer would negate my need for the bioballs completely?

Thanks for the threads as well to everyone else that posted them. I'll keep everyone posted as to how I make out as I go along.

Thanks again to all!

[mbbuna]

yes the shrimp will rot adding ammonia starting the cycle.you dont want to use a fish to start your cycle. BTW damsels are a mean. if your planning a reef tank your going to want live rock and that will be you main biofilter so you wont need bio balls. a skimmer wont work as a biofilter, what they do is remove proteins and particles from the water before they break down

[bertoni]

If the tank has live rock, there's no need for the shrimp. Otherwise, a small amount of fish food will be fine. A shrimp is overkill in any case.