Need help setting up tank

[fish-a-phile]

I have a 55 gallon aqarium with a wet/dry filter. It has a 9 gallon sump and a crappy little protein skimmer. I just put about 50lbs of live rock in the tank yesterday and unfortunately I think most of it is dead.

I'm wondering as to whether or not I should use the skimmer while it is cycling. It is constantly pulling water out of the tank. The water that it pulls out is pretty clear but does smell bad. I tried using the skimmer on freshly made saltwater to see if it was just pulling unnecessary water out. It didn't pull anything out of that. I changed about 10 gallons yesterday, and another 10 today.

The ammonia is running really high around 5.0. What would you suggest? Should I just keep chaning the water, leave it alone or what? I don't know if I should keep running the skimmer because if I left it on 24/7 it would probably pull out close to 15 gallons a day at the rate it is going.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[PeeJ]

Just adjust your skimmer

 

[PeeJ]

is the rock cured already?

 

[fish-a-phile]

I don't really know how I can adjust my skimmer any further. It runs off of a rio 600 and you can adjust the air valve for more or less bubbles. How should I adjust it then?

 

[PeeJ]

is there any way to adjust the water level? if not, just adjust the air valve so the water level chills out.

 

[fish-a-phile]

Thanks for the help. I adjusted it better so now its pulling out some nasty looking water. I should have just messed with it more. oops

 

[Anonymous]

If your rock is putting off that much ammonia, it's not dead.

 

[PeeJ]

Yea...its surprising how much life will come back . just give it time.

 

[fish-a-phile]

really, i thought that when it gave off ammonia it was because things were dying in the tank??? If it is still alive then more power too it because it looked like it had some cool stuff on there. It definately had some caluerpa and some sponges so maybe i'll get something back. Just have to wait and see.

How long should I wait before I can put some hermit crabs or a few inverts in the tank for a cleanup crew?

 

[PeeJ]

just play it safe and wait a good while.

 

[ChrisRD]

The ammonia is running really high around 5.0.

Wow - that's way up there - I'd do a large water change ASAP.