New SW Tank

I'm excited.. I've had several freashwater tanks, but this is my first SW tank(75gal). It's a used tank, so I rescued some craps using the sand and water into a separate container. Added water/salt, tested. When can I put the crabs back? how long before I can start slowly adding fish?

Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
Ph still needs testing.
Salt = 31ppt

 

Well.. Have you researched SW??
Your tank will need to cycle for a month or so before you want to add anything (maybe a cheap fish or 2) have about a 50/50 chance of them dying.

Once your all cycled you can add what you want. You need a bigger test kit.
You can add the crabs, they will help it cycle but like i said they have a descent chance of not making it threw the spikes and cycle.

 

If you've cycled, skip this next section if not please read it.
Well you need to cycle first, this could take anywhere from 4-6 weeks generally. The cycle allows beneficial bacteria to build up so that ammonia and nitrites can be broken down. Usually this is done using live rock in salt water aquariums. You will see a rise in ammonia, then nitrites as well as nitrates generally. When the ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm, then you can start adding fish slowly.

If you tested your water right after you mixed it, then your readings will be 0 as they are. If you haven't cycled or not sure if you have, then you may have a reading of 0 for ammonia and nitrites if you haven't started, or if it just started. If you have cycled, then you can start adding livestock, but again slowly. You do need something to kick start the cycle, usually live rock, but a piece of shrimp can be used too, something to rot basically and produce ammonia. If you could tell us more about your setup, that would really help too.

 

Cool, thanks for the feedback. Yes just setup today and Petco did warn me about waiting 30 days before adding most fish. Tank came with 8 live rocksn double filter unit, rio 1100 powerhead, GLO light and heater. Located in the atrium in the center of our house, water still a little cloudy from setup. Don't know how long I can keep the crabs separated and if I loose them, I'm ok. (cheap to replace).

 

8 pieces of rock? you'll want to get more in there before you get into the full cycle and when kind of tank are you looking to have? fish only or reef? also, did you clean the tank before you set it up with sw? what did you clean it with?

 

Started reasearching site yesterday before I bought tank to decided to stay SW or go Fresh. I really want to try SW.

Thanks!

 

I cleaned it with a chemical free scrubber pad and water. No chemicals at all. I'll get an initial picture up soon.

 

You dont want those crabs in a container with no oxygen. They'll have a better chance in the cycling tank. But i agree you need some more rock to cycle.

 

Wow, I was thinking there is allot already..

 

Crabs are in an open container with sand from tank higher that the water on one side and under water on the other. I'll gladly add them to the tank if you feel thats a better option? Tank had barely any water when I picked up today.