New Tank Problems

Hello, I'm new around here, and new to a marine aquarium.

I just set it up two days ago, I'm having some problems.

After I put the salt in the water became very very cloudy. It's gone done since I started up the skimmer, but still a little cloudy.

The specific gravity level is high (1.029) , I put in as much salt as directed by the instant ocean package.

After putting in enough for 55 gallons is was at (1.020), which I though was high for a 75 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump, with very little sand. When I added the rest, subtracting for the sand and real ocean water, it's up to (1.029)

My Alk is 3.5, is that too high?

I tested everything the only thing that isn't right is the Alk and Specific Gravity.

PH is 8.2
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0

Temp is 83 F I'm trying to bring it down, the heater is set to 79 but the water is still at 83 F

Here are the specs on my tank.

75 Gallon Overflow tank
About 20 Gallon Sump, made by all-glass.com
Sump has bioballs, filtration, and a few other things built in.
I have a descent Skimmer, by the company that makes Instant Ocean
16 pounds live sand, 10 pounds white sand, I will be adding more of both today.

I currently have no light, they shattered during shipping and I won't have them for about 5 or 6 days.

Please help me!!!

 

I would bring the sg down to 1.026 and turn your heater down and then do NOTHING for about 2 mos except add live rock
What kind of tank do you want?

 

reef

 

I noticed in my freshwater tank that the water was never what the heater was set to, is it usually off.

 

It depends on what type of heater it is
And I second the do nothing except for cycling the tank, adding liverock, getting your sump set up and the skimmer dialed in, etc.

As far as the specific gravity, the directions are always a little off. Mix it up and test it before adding it.
Just take some water out and replace it with fresh to get it where you want it. BTW, what are you using to test your SG? Refractometers are more accurate than the swing type floaters.

Jim

 

Lowering the salinity can be very easy, Now when you dont have livestock that is, Just take out around 5 gallons and add just regular water.. Test salinity, if it is still to high take more SW out and add regular. The big dipper Salinty tester arent very accurate sometimes either , just wanted to mention that. What kind of tester are you using? Make sure it is clean and not built up with salt .My LFS keeps her Big dipper soaking in fresh water if it is not being in use. It keeps it clean.

Your Alk is not to High, around 4 is better. I wouldnt worry about that right now though.

Set your heater around 76. And it should be good to go. Good luck and relax it will come around.

 

The SG is going down.

I'm using a 300 Watt All-Glass heater.

I'm using the instant ocean hydrometer, the big dipper. I had a feeling it wasn't that accurate, when I tested real ocean water with it, it was too high.

How much is a refracto meter, I just dropped about 2 thousand and it just keeps adding up.

I'm letting the new water circulate, it's getting there. I'm testing the tank and sump to see if they match, when they do it should be circulated enough, right?

 

Ok I've got the SG down to 1.0255, the heat hasn't really changed, but on the plus side I haven't seen the light on for the heater.

What's the best Specific Gravity for reef?

 

you want to aim for 1.026 IMO

 

1.026 NSW

Become a smart shopper. Research before you buy, shop on ebay, look for specials. And don't get talked into buying something you don't need. I am all for supporting the LFS but I am not into getting ripped off by them. The Doctors and laywers can afford to pay retail I can't.

Jim