New tank, new hobby, loads of questions

So I'm new at this. I started a 75g tank about 9 days ago. I have 2 clowns in the tank. I also have 60lbs of cured live rock in it. I'm wondering when or even if I will have a cycle? I've been checking my ammonia every day since and nothing has changed. Still at zero after day 9.

Please any help on what to expect or check would be great. I'm new to this and trying to take in all info possible! I've wanted a tank all my life and finally ended up forking out 2 grand to start one and now I can't get enough!

 

Welcome to 3reef, if you used live rock cured rock you may get by with no detectable ammonia.

Be careful cycling with fish, you do not need to and it may harm the fish.

 

Agreed...I would not put fish in to cycle the tank. You should probably wait atleast 3 weeks to add fish (If cycle is complete)
Also just because there has been no ammonia it does not mean an ammonia spike could occur. It does happen often to tanks at that age, and the spike could be out of nowhere. Just test your water often and make sure to keep a close eye on everything. You seem like you have a GREAT start though!
Hope I could help
JJL

 

If your 60lbs of rock was really cured, in other words from another tank that had it running for awhile, you most likely won't get a cycle with only 2 clowns.

What other equipment are you running? A skimmer, sump, stuff like that. Also do you have a sand bed? If so was it live sand and from where?

All this info will help everyone here start you out in the right direction.

 

I have a 20 gallon sump, no sand in sump yett getting that tomorrow with about 20lbs more of live rock. I have a skimmer/filter on the tank up top and a 150g rated protien skimmer. I have a ligght system with 2-250 watt MH. 2-54watt T5 and 6leds. I have 2 clowns, 6-7 hpermits and a Starfish. I've been checking my levels every day and nothing hase changed on any of them.

I'm going to an expo tomorrow to get more materials and other things I would need but they are halving huge sales on coral so I was wondering in I could get a few cheap ones to throw into the tank. If not I was sure looking to get some snails, shrimp and or a crab

Any help would be much appreciated

 

I know its really hard but i would wait. let the tank completely go through its cycle and remember slower is better.

 

Howdy and welcome to my favorite website- 3reef.

You will find all the information you could possibly need here, pay close attention to what the experienced members tell you. Many times there is to much information on the internet that simply isn't true, so keep this in mind, as well- no question is stupid, sometimes silly, but never stupid- so ask questions when you are not sure.

I agree with the above to a certain point, wait a while before you add all those pretty new things you have been waiting so long to have- the reasoning is something like this:

New tanks need to cycle, even with "cured" live rock- no matter what kind it is. A cycle can take from 1 day to 6 mos. depends on your tank. Try to avoid direct sunlight into your tank for the time being, this will help keep algae to a minium. As for your lighting, as the tank is now- you in no way need to run the Metal Halides, so don't- they create a lot of heat and it will also help keep temps stable, and your power consumption low.

Very important- buy yourself a good quality REEF testing kit. Do not rely on test strips.

Since you have a Starfish, you need to understand they require an established tank, so keep an eye on this critter, as it has food requirements that your tank may not be able to provide. Clowns are tough fish, so you'll probly be ok, but under no circumstances add an anemone until you have had at least 6mos. of sucess with your set up- min.

The type of Starfish can cause trouble in a reef consider this- that is to say- do your home work before you buy any critter- this I simply can not over stress to you.

Were it me I would start with the sump and build from there, it will help with mistakes that you and every new reefer makes in this hobbie. Thankfully, because of websites like this one we can all help each other to avoid possible mistakes- great ain't it.

Again, welcome

 

Welcome to 3 reef, Luke

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef