Just jumped in and looking for some tips

[jsvokowest]

Ok just bought a used tenecor 90 gallon setup, 75 lbs cured live rock and cleaned the entire thing out and have had it running with a skimmer for a week now. today just added some dead coral i had cleaned into the tank and dipped into the whole aquascaping thing. did i just begin the whole cycling process again? trying to be as patient i can but the boyhood dream is turning into reality. the ammonia levels are still dropping as the NO3 and NO2 are also. i check them daily about the same time. added some additive bacteria i was told to add under the guidance of WWof fish. reading up every night on the material i was advised to get on this forum and thanks to all for their help to a newbie.should i leave the light on when cycling. and are there any suggestions for the aquascaping. i tried to leave room all around the rock base to allow circulation. i have three 802 poweheads in this and am hoping i am moving the water well enough. during my nightly staring at the rock waiting for growth spurts in anticipationi can see the "hairs on the rock moving as well as watching the therm float around. millions of questions just racing from the excitement.

 

[masterswimmer]

Are you looking to set up a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) tank? Or are you preparing to set up a reef? I ask because those of us that set up reef tanks prefer not to 'display' dead coral skeletons. It makes our tanks look like we're failing at keeping those corals alive (our goal).

In order to advise you properly, we need to know your intent.

swimmer

 

[KathyC]

The lights should be off during cycling.
You can add a tiny, tiny amount of flake food every few days to keep the growing bacteria fed (it does need to eat).
Plan on staring at the tank the way it is for another 3 or 4 weeks. If you don't have the patience now for a SW tank, you won't have it down the line either
I agree with Russ about the dead corals..maybe in a FO tank, but definitely not a reef tank.
You want to leave about 2 or 3 inches around the perimeter of the rocks for ease of cleaning the glass..enough to get your Mag-float through and your hand as well.

Welcome to MR!

 

[jsvokowest]

i am just looking to start with a fowler tank. which is why i added the dead corals. i think the reef system is is not for me just yet but i did leave some shelf areas on live rock to set some hardy stuff on them one day not soft corals as i don;t have the light for that. maybe a better word than patience is anticipation. like a kid in a candy store. is the tank going to recycle now that i added the dead pieces or am i just picking up where i left off in the cycle? kinda see more tanks around the house in the future (and possibly a divorce as the result.)which would definitely look into a reef but i want to be more confident in the husbandryof thefowler tank before putting any of the delicate corals in harms way. i would feel extremely guilty of putting them in danger of dying due to inexperience and lord knows we dont have enough of them in the world as it is. this is also why i don;t want to put a fish in there to speed up any cycle process. i read about it but seems cruel. thanks for the help.

 

[Killerdrgn]

you mean you want soft corals because they have the least light requirements. the hard stony corals need more light.

 

[jsvokowest]

sorry 4 year old is driving me nuts.

 

[Pinkheine]

Looks like a great start. Our first tank was also a Tenecor and was also fish only. Considering you have a while to wait start getting an idea on what types of fish you would like to keep and their requirements/compatibility with one another etc. This is truly one of the most rewarding hobbies IMO... and very addicting.

Welcome to the glass/acrylic box world and best of luck on the new venture

 

[jsvokowest]

thank you.

 

[aznt1217]

Nice aquascape I dig it. Especially for a FOWLR. Eels are going to love your tank.

 

[jsvokowest]

thanks, i was trying to create as much dimension and hiding places with enough room for water flow. in the back right of the tank i have 3 802s running do you think that is enough or am i risking dead spots. on the left?
i got the following parameters so far after a week.
temp 79
ph 8.2
alk high
ammonia .25
No3 10
and
No2 0.1
salinity 1.0215
assuming that the nitrate process is yet to begin
skimmer is pulling a lot of brown water
does this seem ok?
also there is growth on the rocks in various forms anything i should look out for to remove?
thanks

 

[autoponicz]

you are doing a great job in not adding fish or messing with the tank too early in the cycle....

right now you can just sit back and let nature do its thing...
in the mean time ...see if you need to alter or redo anything for the filtration ..
and look at some other peoples fish only tanks and get some cool ideas for your setup....

heres some videos of a guy in california that does alot of maintenece for fish only tanks...plus give you some eye candy...
the videos are kinda outdated though...
http://www.lafishguys.com/

http://www.reefvideos.com/

 

[jsvokowest]

thanks for the links and although i would like to speed this up i am thinking shortcuts now can only lead to disaster later.

 

[ny104li]

There are products you can buy that help speed up the cycle... I used them in my 55g and it sped up my cycle tremdously and now I have a great reef tank

 

[KathyC]

thanks for the links and although i would like to speed this up i am thinking shortcuts now can only lead to disaster later.

Good for you! Slow and steady wins the race in reefing

 

[jsvokowest]

it really amazes me on how positive and helpful anyone that enjoys the hobby is to beginners. i thank you all for the warm welcome. was bought some additive and put it in but i figure i should not speed up nature too much i plan on enjoying the fish at their healthist natural state. and god forbid my 4 year old has to watch Nemo die. would be devastating to us both. again thanks so much to all.

 

[Pinkheine]

I don't know if it is something you are aware of or interested in but many keep quaranteen tanks set up before introducing a fish to their main display.

Personally we do not, never have, there are a few reasons but nothing major. Something that you can look into as well and form an opinion on to see if it would work for you.

In the beginning things move at a snails pace... but the pay off is like no other to keep marine life successfully.

 

[masterswimmer]

was bought some additive and put it in but i figure i should not speed up nature too much i plan on enjoying the fish at their healthist natural state. and god forbid my 4 year old has to watch Nemo die. would be devastating to us both.

Nature took millions of years to do what so many in this hobby try to rush into in a couple of weeks. Only slowing down to a couple of months improves the success rate infinitely. The only thing that happens fast in this hobby is problems.

Best of luck with your new system,
Russ

 

[ESSELO]

This is how it starts, next thing you know there's a couple hundred gallons of saltwater, fish and corals in your livingroom.

 

[Awibrandy]

to MR!:hug: You have come to the best forum on the Net!!:splitspin
And

for a great set up as well as you're patience. Patience is key in this hobby.
I love your rock work!
Have you any idea on what fish you plan to keep?

Once again; Welcome to our little family we are so happy to have you!:groupflip

 

[autoponicz]

theres is 1 additive that will do wonders for your fresh new tank...i reccomend it to evryone that just started reefing...its a major brand too..and gives 100% satisfaction guranteed.....you wont be disappointed..!
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.here it is...

:lol2::lol2::lol2: