Pickle010 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Yeah, i bought a test kit and a ph tester is in it.What should my ph be ? That is a great question to ask BEFORE adding livestock to your tank... but since you are already passed that... go ahead and pull that puppy out.. follow the instructions and let us know what you get. Link to comment
phishy11 Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 im not testing it now. can you give me an idea of what it should be at for when i test it later? im not testing it now.can you give me an idea of what it should be at for when i test it later? nervmind, got my answer Link to comment
DudE31 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 the tank doesn't look half bad .. its actually looks ok but it may still cycle Link to comment
Pickle010 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 im not testing it now.can you give me an idea of what it should be at for when i test it later? nervmind, got my answer Good luck with that... my own daughters awake now - she's number one on the attention list. Later! Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I'm sorry, but, I can't believe your nitrates are zero. Assuming your ammonia and nitrite really are zero, your damsel should be creating enough waste that you'd be showing something somewhere. What test kit are you using? Link to comment
beachsidejuj Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 hey scott..I heard the nitrates of 20 were ok...is that right?? Link to comment
Duncan Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi... your tank pictures showed diatom algae on your rocks. The second pic... those yellowish-brown stains on the top left rock and the top right rock. Those white spots on the rocks are just newly grazed areas, not coralline algae. So, it's pretty obviously to me that you got a cycle going on in there. Maybe it's time to switch your testkit brand. This is what I would do... Return all the snails. Your turbo snails will graze all the algae, which leaves nothing to cycle for. You need those diatom algae to grow, to exhaust the nutrients going in there. Soon, hair algae will spout and overtake as they out-compete the diatom. Once you got enough hair algae, then get your snails/hermits. After the hair algae is mowed down by the clean-up crew, you will be more or less ready for your 1st coral. Don't change the water... if you do that, you will be prolonging the cycle and would take a long long time to complete the initial cycle. If you are worry about the damsel health, you can do a maximum of 10% water change once a week. But any damsel is tough enough to take on a full cycling, in my experience. Yeah, you must remember to change/rinse the filter floss (if you are using it) every 2 days. Keep the lights on as per normal (like 8hrs) for maximum diatom growth. Don't worry about a ugly diatom tank. It's an essential part of the cycle, in my opinion. ya, don't add anymore rocks now. you will need space for your future corals. edit: here's some snail pics for your snail id http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=526 Link to comment
Pickle010 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 you know I haven't been able to find a liquid ph test...I have seen the ones they have that you put on the side of the tank..anyone have those? I got a Salifert PH test kit (drops) - I don't know about the hang on ones... I don't want to take the risk. Link to comment
slowdrive Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 you know I haven't been able to find a liquid ph test...I have seen the ones they have that you put on the side of the tank..anyone have those? If you are talking about the seachem hang on ones, the ammonia is for fresh/salt but as far as I have seen the PH hang on is fresh only Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 hey scott..I heard the nitrates of 20 were ok...is that right?? While 20 isn't horrible, under 10 would be better. But, that's sometimes difficult in a new system. Nitrate is also a key nutrient source for algae. Most of the unwanted algae thrive on poor water quality, high nutrient levels and excessive nitrate. Many initially cycling tanks experience an algae bloom due to this effect. Link to comment
beachsidejuj Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 could it have to do with the type of salt I am using? Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 could it have to do with the type of salt I am using? What are you using? Mixing your own, or buying pre-mixed? Link to comment
beachsidejuj Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 mix my own with DI water Instant Ocean Salt Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 mix my own DI water Instant Ocean The salt shouldn't be adding any nitrates. Have you tested the water before you mix it for any sign of nitrates? Link to comment
beachsidejuj Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 ahhh never thought of doing that!!! good idea THANKS and while I have you ear...how often should I do a water change?? Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 ahhh never thought of doing that!!! good idea THANKS and while I have you ear...how often should I do a water change?? I do it once a week, about 20% (a little more). That's what I recommend. I know a few people who go every other week. Some only do 10% once a week. Depends on your bio-load, size of tank, filtration, etc. Pick a routine you can live with and meets the needs of your livestock and go with it. Link to comment
beachsidejuj Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 ok thanks and good night!! Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 ok thanks and good night!! You're welcome and good night. Link to comment
phishy11 Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 i use the kit with the drops. got it at petsmart. Really, i should return all the snails? Man, waste O monaay. hahaa Link to comment
DudE31 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 this thread is 17 pages and still going :D:D .. what a waste of space lmao Link to comment
phishy11 Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Dude, do you think i should take out all of the snails? ..i wanna know what other people think. Link to comment
thabo Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Dude, do you think i should take out all of the snails? ..i wanna know what other people think. Give it a rest Phishy. I think we have all had enough. Link to comment
phishy11 Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Sooo, according to you im not aloud to ask questions on this begginers forum? Link to comment
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