N00b questions, concerns, confusion

Hi all- I'm new-ish to this after years of FW and taking care of a friend's FO 120 while he was on vacation. A few days ago I made the jump (impulse buy) and I already feel like I've gotten it all wrong! (no pad under, too small lights/pump, too much or not enough sand, tap water w/ conditioner, etc) I apologize for the lengthy post-

The specs: Eclipse3 all-in-one package
29 gal glass 30"
unknown GPH pump Marineland pr3082
BIO-Wheel wet/dry
2 18w 24" NO bulbs
Single clip on heater
Instant Ocean salts

It's day 4, and so far I've "stocked" 60# live sand, 1 lava rock, 1 tufa, 1 live rock, each about 5# max. I added a bag of bacteria the LFS suggested on Day 2.

The chemistry day 1:
Spec grav: 1.022
Ph: 8.0
NH3: 0
Nitrates: 0 (low)
Nitrites: 0

The chemistry day 4:
Spec grav: 1.024
Ph: 8.0
NH3: 0
Nitrates: 0.6 (low), 2 (high)
Nitrites: 10

The questions:
1) Am I crazy?
2) Can I keep 6-7" of fish and a few anemones- maybe a brain coral in this setup?
3) Does anyone know a good LFS in the SF Bay? Not sure I trust the conflicting info from the one I went to.
4) Should I keep this as a QT and get a decent setup? I'm only out about $300 so far.
5) Should I be seeing the nitre levels fluctuating more for the cycle?
6) Am I crazy?


TIA!

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of reefing;D As for Q's 1 & 6, arent we all?
Finish your cycle first, then worry about the rest. You need to ask yourself if this is really what you want, before you go and spend a fortune. If you really want to get into the hobby, I would start with at least a 55 or 75 gal( for a reef tank). Starting off small becomes alot more expensive later. Your NH3,NO2 and NO3 will fluctuate as you go through your cycle. Most cycles will last up to 2-3 months. Dont do any water changes, run lights around 4-6 hrs a day and dont add anything like fish or corals. Some ppl add a damsel to speed up the process and thats ok, but when the time comes to get thjat damsel out, thats a mission and a half. Do most research and ask alot of Q's. Luna

 

Thanks Luna- I'm sure I want to go larger, but I'm in a second story apt and the lease limits me to <50Gal. I don't like the idea of cycling with damsels- can't be good for them. I can already see that in 6 mo time or so I'll have that nice bowfront 48 in the living room.

Re: lights 4-6 hrs/day, I've been going 12 hrs and see no algae at all. The LR is looking good with no die off (or maybe it's just painted and I got ripped off ;p )

 

TAKE OUT THE LAVA ROCK!!!! It will bring chaos and destruction your marine ecosystem! Everything else is fine! Just that you will need stronger lighting if you want some corals (Like brains) and even more for anenomes. You might be able to keep Green Star Polyps, Zoanthids, and the dreaded Xenia (Which grows fast and makes me feel like im somewhat successful!) Im 14 yrs old, if i can get this, you can too! we all made our own impulse buys *Cough* *cough* 120 dollars worth of coral......*Cough* and just asking what to do makes YOU, yes YOU, a successful and responsible aquarist. BTW welcome to 3reef!

PS, i dont like damsel cycling either. its sad when the little fishies die...... and cjange bowfront 48 to 72. youll thank me later

 

Ok, lava removed. Is this a phosphate/mineral issue? Don't know that it's lava, but it's red. Was on the shelf next to the tufa.

Thanks! I'm getting used to salt stains on the laptop.

It's not cheaper than a girlfriend, but it's quieter!

 

Holy crap youre 14?
i thought i was young to be chatting with these oldies kid: ;]

 

oldies ouch that hurts....

 

HEY.......respect the gray hairs;D

 

Just jesting =]

i do have great respect for age, as a young person, i like to take advantage of the advice i can use to avoid problems.... if that made any sense lol
i've always been more comfortable with ppl that r a few years older than i.
my bro-in-law is 32, we're like best friends lol

 

how come i feel so old i fart dust