First Water Change?

Hey All,

When do you suggest I do my first water change? I have a new 40 gallon reef set up. It has 40 # of live rock in it. I am running a sea clone 150 skimmer (getting lots of dark, green, skimate!) and a power filter. Not to mention a bunch of Power heads for water movement.

I put the rock in about 10 days ago, along with 40# of agronite sand...It comes wet, and they say it is live, but I am not sure I buy that theory.

Anyway, My Ammonia levels are dropping off (just about gone), my Nitrite level is low - at the bottom of the scale, and my nitrates are starting to rise. Phosphate levels are negligable. I am getting a little bit of green hair algae on the live rock now.

I am running a 150 watt 10000K MH for about 6 hours a day. 2 65W Actinics for 12 hours a day (overlapping the MH), and Lunar lights for the remaining 12 hours of the day. Tank temp is in the 82-84 degree range. Evaporative cooling is keeping the temperature in check..

My question is when should I start doing changes? I want to keep the nitrate from rising, but do I need to just sit tight for a little while longer until the Nitrites are totally gone? Should I consider putting in a chemi pure bag yet?

One last thing, I am using RO/DI water

Thanks

Adam

 

If you keep the nitrates from rising at this point in the game, the cycle will never complete. You need ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to both rise and fall during the tank's cycle. Once your nitrates rise then fall down to "0", you can consider your tank cycled and start doing water changes. Chemi-Pure will have no effect on the tank's cycle so if you want to add it now, go ahead.

 

Okay thanks. I have a follow up question if you don't mind.

I am starting to get some hair algae in the tank as well. Is this normal during the cycle process, or do I need to be doing something about it. IE..will the Chemi Pure help, should I cut down on lighting, etc?

Also, when is a good time to get a clean up crew going? Is it too early for snails, crabs, etc?

I have been doing lots of reading, but I need to hear some real life experiences/opinons.

Thanks

 

Hair algae is a normal part of the cycle. Once your nitrates rise and fall, you can add a clean up crew to take care of whatever hair and diatom algae is left after the cycle is complete. Because hair algae primarily consumes phosphates, the Chemi Pure may not help. If you're really concerned about it, pick up a phosphate sponge from your lfs. I use both Phos-Guard and Phos-Zorb with good results.

 

Well I would say first yes the hair algae is normal, second I would say it would not hurt to cut down on your lighting I myself think that it is un-necessary to have your lighting on that long while your are cycling your tank I would think that 6 to 8 hours would be fine and I don't know what everyone else thinks ( feel free to respond ) but I don't think that running your MH lights is even necessary during your cycle.
And third yes it is too early for a clean up crew. Just wait until your tank has finished cycling before adding any live stock. JMO John

 

Amcarrig sorry we must have posted at the same time ;D :-[ ;D John

 

Thanks Y'all.

Last thing...so based on everything I am hearing...no water change until the cycle is complete right?

 

right

 

I have had my 90g going since July 03, 05 testing every other day and i have not seen my Ammonia levels or any levels raise although i have alot of green algea on my glass and hair algea on my sand. I clean my front glass every other day for the algea builds up quicly. I just did a water change this weekend 15g all my levels are perfect. ammonia 0, ph 83, nitrates/nitrites 0, Salinity 1.023, and temp at 77 to 81. I am adding Iodine and Cal for my Finger leather, Seabe and bubble. I also just added a Sandsiffting star fish to mix up the LS for there is alot of red and green algea bulid up.

My lights are a Corlife 4x65 and Powerlife 40w. No MH running i have the lights set to on at 6am off at 8pm lunar from 8pm to 6am. Any suggestions???

Here is my web page with a few of my tenants
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What are you using for filtration