is this set up right?

[stcroixjoe]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/182212tank_012__Custom_.jpg

i just set up my tank and the water level doesn't seem right. Is my skimmer susposed to have the brown water in it? What about the water levels? thanks

[stcroixjoe]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/182212tank_004__Custom_.jpg

heres another

[stcroixjoe]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/182212tank_011__Custom_.jpg

one more

[Fish_wiz2]

Looks good so far but i recommend turning the sump into a fuge and throwing out the bio-balls (for info on how to do this check the DIY thread)

[stcroixjoe]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/182212tank_014__Custom_.jpg

heres a full shot how long will it stay cloudy for i put in 80lbs of live black sand and 50 lbs of base rock ,when should i add live rock or starter fish?

[Dubbin1]

Shut the skimmer off until the sand settles. I would also recommend that you ditch the bio balls.

[kidney514]

I had the same cloudy water that you have, and decided tu put the LR and LS and 3 hours later it cleared up. Just make your parameter are ok before putting the LS and LR.

[mfinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11988653#post11988653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stcroixjoe
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/182212tank_014__Custom_.jpg

heres a full shot how long will it stay cloudy for i put in 80lbs of live black sand and 50 lbs of base rock ,when should i add live rock or starter fish?

When you say base rock, was it live rock or dry rock?

Looks like you need to get some test kits. Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.
When you tank has completed the cycle, then look to add a fish or two.

[stcroixjoe]

it was dry rock,i bought a master test kit i'll ckeck it in a few mins and post the results

[stcroixjoe]

ph 8.2
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0

[mfinn]

You need to get some live rock in there and start the cycle.
You just started this tank over the weekend?

[mfinn]

Where did the live sand come from, a store or from a bag?

[stcroixjoe]

I just added water yeaterday and i bought the live sand form the store in a bag i'm heading out in a few to get some live rock here is the link to the store its around the corner from me http://www.aquatictech.com/index.html

[mfinn]

I would get 30 to 40 lbs. of live rock to get the tank started on the cycle.

[kidney514]

Cured live rock will clear the water I am pretty sure of that!

[HammerDude33]

is that skimmer supposed to be almost completely submerged?

[mfinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11990045#post11990045 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HammerDude33
is that skimmer supposed to be almost completely submerged?


I was thinking that too.
If it can be raised up, that will eliminate the extra water.

Also someone suggested removing the bio balls and create a refugium. It will work much better in the long run.

[stcroixjoe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11990161#post11990161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mfinn
I was thinking that too.
If it can be raised up, that will eliminate the extra water.

Also someone suggested removing the bio balls and create a refugium. It will work much better in the long run.

the skimmer is built into the wet/dry i could probley shim it up if need be
what would i put in the refugium? there are holes and egg crates below the balls

[mfinn]

You would want to create 2-3 chambers in the box that is the wet dry. I like 3 chambers.
One for incoming water and the skimmer, the second for the refugium area, where you would keep a macro algea and the third for the pump return.

[jankyjameson]

that water will clear up in just a couple of day. and bioballs are pretty useless, except for throwing them at people. and perhaps shooting out of a slingshot.

[HammerDude33]

no, cured live rock won't clear the water. a waterchange might though.
also, those bioballs are very useful, if you don't have live rock. bacteria has to colonize somewhere.

[stcroixjoe]

well i just addes about 30 lbs of live rock, got ride of the bio balls i left the egg crate material in there and put some dry rock with alge scape offs on the rock should i leave the big square sponge filter in there?