Discouraged reefer wannabe

[dcforester1]

I just tested my water, and I am very disappointed. I have been cycling my tank for 6 weeks, and hate the wait. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 1, Ph was at 8.2 when I started now is at 7.8, I was wondering if the ph moves, and shoud I get something to adjust it, if so, what do I get? I seeded my tank with some LR from an established tank, should I add some Bio-spira, to help it along, I know I need to add a large dose of patients, but that is in short supply. Some people have sworn by Bio-spira, and some say dont waste your $$$$. I suppose I could just take a ride up to Jays and get my fix. Ill use any excuse to go by that places. I guess I just needed to vent.
Thanks Derek

 

[Behrmon]

So did you have a spike on the ammonia and now back down? Your PH will fluctuate based on severals factors, as long as they are not crazy jumps you will be okay.

 

[afboundguy]

+1 on ph... it's the swings that you have to worry about more than the reading if it stays steady...

I noticed you posted ammonia and nitrite but what about nitrates?

 

[Rick C]

Don't get discouraged, it will all come together soon. Rushing into stuff is the worst thing you can do in this hobby. I think I read somewhere about lower PH in the winter months due to all the windows being closed and such. I don't know much about it but maybe someone can elaborate.

 

[BOSTONBAKEDBEAN]

ph can swing a few just due to it being day and night, sometimes even windows open or closed

 

[Doherty]

What do u have for your substrate? Some substrates act as buffers to maintain a PH. But like u said it has only been in cycle for 6 weeks. +1 on what the guys said earlier not uncommon to have PH swings during the cycle. Give it time

 

[dcforester1]

Nitrates are at 20, sub is sand, I have about 15lbs of LR, hopefully more after the meeting Sunday, and I have a wet/dry filter, I have the heat up to 85, someone told me o put it way up while cycling, Nitrites were at 5, they started dropping, then stopped at 1,

 

[Behrmon]

What's in the wet/dry?

 

[dcforester1]

i thought thats what is said, the tank was given to me it a SeaClear Series II, everything is built in the back. It has a chamber for a filter pad, a protien skimmer, bio-balls, then a tray to put carbon etc, I thought thats what they called it. Anything I put in it at this point would probably die, wouldnt it.

 

[JohnK]

Don't waste time or money on PH adjuster additives.

Test the alk/dkh and bring it up if it's low (that, and Co2 determine the PH, if the PH is jumping around it's because the alk is low, fix that and the PH will stabalize to a normal range).

 

[two-rocks]

Hate the wait, screaming kids (your other post), being impatient, etc. are NOT the things that go hand in hand with this hobby.

If you don't quarantine (I didn't and I'm paying the price), you will be even more discouraged.

Without patience is without success in this hobby.

Your nitrites should drop within days or less and you should see some nitrates. Do a very large water change. A fish or 2 small ones are OK at this point. You nitrates should also drop to 0. You see any algae? (brown, hair, or any?) That's the next part of the new tank (and possibly a permanent battle if using treated tap water).

Good luck, IF you stick with this hobby, it will force patience and you will have something gained.

 

[wsonner]

Hate the wait, screaming kids (your other post), being impatient, etc. are NOT the things that go hand in hand with this hobby.

They're not?? Everyone hates the wait and screaming kids are one of the reasons we do this. Impatience is normal, it's all about what you do with it. Don't jump on the guy because he's going through the normal cycle blues....Hang in there Derek, you're doing fine. Don't worry about PH right now, wait until you have something in there that it matters to. It sounds like you are at the end of your cycle and turn the heat down to 78, can't see any real advantage to heating things up and it may kill off your beneficial hitchhikers in the LR.

Wes

 

[quarrydawg]

If you want some water and advice, i'll be around all day tomorrow. i know a lot of people don't like my practices but they are simple and they work. you can come by, look at my tank, have a beer, and take 20 gallons of rich water if you want. I'm in stoneham right off of rt 28. It's like mom always said, "if you keep playing with that thing it's going to fall off."

 

[dcforester1]

Thanks for the advice. Just turned the heat down. Took a ride to LFS, and checked some stuff out. Just sick of hearing how long are you going to stare at the water. I dont have any algae yet, but I might have the early stages of hair algae on my rocks, its been there about a week. Should I do something with it or just give it awhile. Its real small, and hasnt grown, Sorry if I posted this twice the first reply I didnt see post

 

[Behrmon]

Here is some reef chem information for you as well:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[~Flighty~]

Don't get hung up on tracking the pH right now. Check the calcium and alkalinity (which should not be really changing much until you have coral growth) and make sure you have good aeration in the water somewhere (a good skimmer and some water movement at the surface)

I like to add some macro algae to a cycling tank. It will introduce lots of little pods and other crustaceans that are interesting to watch as well as soaking up phosphates, ammonia, and nitrates as it grows. If the water is good enough for the pods to do really well in, it is a good sign that the tank is ready for other life. The pods will be a great enticement for new fish to eat.

Do think about a little about putting together a little QT tank for fish. It will save a ton of headaches and $.

 

[dcforester1]

When I was turning down the heat I noticed algae growth on the suction cups on my heater a power head, and I also noticed my rock is turning a little green

 

[~Flighty~]

Sounds normal, do you see any little bug like things running around?

 

[wrassefan]

sounds like all normal stuff....you are CYCLING the tank..the cycle is not over....go too fast and you will be disappointed. Adding live rock and live sand will help....so will time. You have plenty of time to spend money on your reef....just not yet. No need to get rid of the bio balls yet but once you are cycled...I would remove them. It will only trap stuff to create nitrates.

 

[dcforester1]

My wife says she does in the morning, but I dont see anything. So they must be there. I am going to wait, because as many different stories I get for every question, the one thing I keep hearing is patients, When I eventually do a Qt tank do I start that now and always leave it set up, or do you set it up and maintain it before you purchase new fish?