Any input on my water tests?

Hey everyone just joined the forum for a quick question. I just setup my 75 to replace my 29 I've had for years. I have had it running for 4 days now, w/ live sand and 90 lbs of dry rock that I rinsed but did not cure. I tested the water today and ammonia is .50, nitrite 1.0 and nitrate is 80. Don't know if that at all pertains to this stuff im here to ask about but anyway.. It is mostly on the one rock by my overflow, its a milky white cloudy substance. Looks like mold kinda, not stringy or anything just very liquid looking. I did some google searching but didn't find much similar. If anybody know anything about it I would appreciate any input. Thanks a bunch!!

 

Sponge?

 

Would the sponge just come about from that dry rock?

 

Welcome to 3reef.

The choices are bacterial or fungal, it does not look like algae.

I am going with bacterial. Once the chemistry improves you should be able to remove it with a turkey baster, runs some carbon and do a water change, that should resolve the issue.

If you do not see a decline in the chemistry values in a week you may have to do a water change anyway if the cycle stalls.

 

No, most likely not. Bacteria?

 

Thanks for your answer! Sounds reasonable enough. How much and how often should I be doing a water change during the cycle? nitrites should drop soon if that "live" sand I bought really is live, correct? Think I need to throw in some live rock as well?

 

Your values seem high to me for only being 4 days in, did you had some shrimp or anything to assist the cycle? I might understand if you had some die off from live uncured rock.

I would only consider a water change if the cycle stalls from elevated ammonia levels.

The addition of some live rock would be a good idea.

 

I did not add shrimp. I thought they were high as well, and my ammonia seems low as compared to what I thought it would be. I will get some live rock to help out this weekend. Would you recommend adding anything to the tank to help it along?

 

Some live cured rock should be of real assist, you might want to wait a day or two to get it to see if your levels come down just a little before adding live rock.

You do not need to add any form of decay at this point since you have a decent NH3 value. You could add any of the cycle assist products like MB7 or Dr.Tims, might be interesting to see if that assist with issue.

 

Corailline has said it all regarding your questions, but I just wanted to add that is a nice aquascape!