Newb looking for advise/input

Hi folks. I'm entirely new to this... but I've had my tank up and running for about 4-5 weeks now... been doing tons of reading and research. I guess I'm just curious about any helpful advise or recommendations you may have.

My tank is a 55 gallon. I used my filtered well water. No RO. Just carbon filtered and softened. I currently have about 40 lbs of live rock (very little if any die-off) and I used 40 lbs of live sand and 10lbs of non-live(?) sand. I had a mix of hermit crabs and snails which came with the rock... just tiny stuff. After two weeks, there was no sign of ammonia. (I'll fast forward here and tell you I haven't got a hint of ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate even after 5 weeks) That's really why I'm here checking to see if I'm on track or have botched this cycle thing I've read oh so much about. I did use a "Cycle" supplement 2 weeks ago... following their "new tank" instructions.

About 2 weeks ago I got two damsels... and 6 good sized snails. Everyone seems happy as far as I can tell. I did have a brown diatom bloom about two weeks ago, but it's mostly cleared up at this point. So just be patient?

Also, I hope for this tank to be a good mix of basic beginner corals and inverts and low maintenance beginner fish. Nothing too extreme. I know my limits. Are there any suggested supplements you recommend? There seems to be a daunting amount of chemicals I can drop into this tank.... what do I need as a novice? I don't want to bombard these critters with chemicals they don't need. (But I'd be happy to purchase them if it's advised)

No sump yet, but I'd like to get there some day. I think my gear should show up in my signature. I checked the PH today and It's 8.4. I've been running without the carbon in the filter for the last 2-3 weeks since I figured it might be hindering the ammonia? Thanks for any input you may have.

 

I believe your cycle is starting now because you now have feces in your water (fish). Stop using the cycle stuff, you will have to keep using it over and over or else you will crash the tank. The fish food I recommend is New Life Spectrum because it's the only thing you have to feed.

 

You are going way too fast. Fish and CUC crews shouled never be added until the initial cycle has been witnessed. You are now exposing the fish and inhabitants to ammonia and nitrites which is not good for them.

Forget the chemicals and "miracle" additives and stick to natural methods. I owuld return the fish to the LFS and add a couple raw shrimp to get the cycle going, the shrimp will provide the food the bacteria need to grow and multiply.

Wells are notorious for lots of bad things like silica, silicates, natural phosphates, nitrates and other forms of ammonia and much more. Discontinue use of the tap water and start using RO/DI or distilled as soon as possible. This is probably the very best advice anyone can give you. Wells have high TDS and TDS is your enemy. It will feed algae blooms and lots of wate rquality issues.

If its worth doing, its worth doing right the first time. Slow down and do it right.

 

I agree with the above posts.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

 

I fully agree, you'll start to get algae and won't be able to get rid of it. Many then get frustrated and quit the hobby. it's definitely worth it to invest in an RO/DI, it's really not much compared to the value of the livestock and equipment.

 

Thanks for the input. Are the marine RO/DI units any different than commercial drinking water units? Perhaps it will be easier to sell the wife on it if she can also benefit from it for drinking water for the family. I'll check into it.

Should I turn off the skimmer?

 

Hello and Welcome.

Yes pretty much the same.

You can leave the skimmer on or turn it off. Turning it off will probably leave more organic waste in the tank to assist in the cycle.

Feel free to seek advice regarding potential purchases here on the forum, you will most likely get much better advice than you will at the local fish store.

The first couple months after set up it is pretty much a waiting game, but worth the wait.

 

Well said everyone...great advice. Welcome to 3reef, Drio.

 

You can get RO/DI units that split after the RO for drinking water (don't drink the DI long-term). If you look under the 3Reef Sponsor section at the bottom of the main forums list, there's a place called Air, Water & Ice that has units that do that.