Here goes my Journal

[lmaniotis35]

First i want to thank all those who have replied to my earlier posts. It has been quite some time but i now am able to come back on and provide an update (all are us gallons i am in nyc)

Tank:
72 gallon bowfront not pre drilled

Filter:
A Miracle slim line wet/dry filter (capacity for 55-100 gal..Biological capacity 4 gal)
hang on back overflow box

Skimmer:
Berlin Turbo protein skimmer (not runing yet)

Pump:
Eheim pump 1262 max gph 900 gph at 4 ft 665

Powerheads:
(2) Hagen aquaclear 802 gph 350 (only 1 powerhead runing in tank now)

Wave master pro (not set up yet not worth runing with 1 power head)

20 lbs live sand and 20 lbs black marine sand (not live)

I set up the system on october 6. after testing the sg and assured at right amount (1.023) and temp of 78 F, i added six damsel fish on sunday october 10. oh and one baby snowflake moray eel (niece wouldn't leave the store without it)

I have tested the water on 10/13, 10/17 and will test tonight when i get home. i will post the progress of the readings.

one damsel died on 10/17 i was told possible internal parasites because when i removed from the tank there was a white mucus coming out of the rectum and when squeezed, more came out.

I did realize i did things a bit backwards since i want to add live rock (was told i should have placed rock in tank prior to fish) I guess it is a learning experience for me.

I have a 40 gal tub with salt water a heater and a powerhead so i may place some live rock in it to cure prior to adding to the tank. I will be adding live rock slowly about 10lbs at a time.

Any feedback or advise willbe appreciated

 

[lmaniotis35]

Here are my progressive readings:

10/12
SG 1.022-1.023
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0.5
Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
Temperature 79

10/17
SG 1.023
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0.5
Nitrates 10
Nitrites 0.25
Temperature 79

10/21
SG 1.022-1.023
PH 8.2
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrates 20-40
Nitrites 2.0-5.0
Temperature 80

is this a normal progressive cycle? I will try and borrow a camara so i may post some photos. I was also able to locate some base rock to add in the tank along with the live rock. This will help in cutting some of the cost.

 

[herefishyfishy]

I work at a LFS and test the water on many new tanks. I alwasy see funky readings on new tanks. Not always by the book. I would let ur tank keep maturing untill ur readings are 0 NH3, 0 (or close to) NO2, and low levels of NO3 which u could remove by doing a water change. Have u done a water change yet?

 

[lmaniotis35]

Herefishyfishy,

as u can see from my post it has been some time...But to answer your question, I have tested my water paramaters as well as my lfs on Mon and all read 0. I have been cycling with 6 damsels and one baby snowflake eel. I successfully remomved the damsels and added 2 clownfish to the tank last night. Doing well and swimmeing around. Planning on feeding tonight..