New to this

Question
Bill,
I just had a pro setup a "mini-reef" aquarium in my home.  I think it is pretty large, about a 90 gallon display tank with a sump tank below.  The only filtration or so he told me is biological plus the sock filter he put below in the sump tank and a sponge, which is separate in the sump tank.  I have reef and saltwater test kits from API but have not used them yet, the current water temperature is about 62 deg F and I think I need it to be about 70 to 75, he told me I didn't need a heater, so I'm not sure how to heat the water?  Unless the bright lights above will do this over time?  Also I'm not a chemist, so I'm concerned about getting readings right.  So far I just have the tank with live rock, the installer suggested that after a couple of days to throw a raw uncooked shrimp in the tank and let it decompose in the tank, this he says will successfully cycle the tank and you will be ready to introduce animals or live corals into the tank after this occurs, he also said to wait about two weeks for the tank to "settle", is this true?  I am okay with waiting, I am just concerned about what to do next?  I do have some supplies;  sea salt mix, a pump to pump old water out and new water in, garbage cans to handle the water, an RO/DI system I got for a pretty good deal, a retractometer to measure gravity/salinity, a small cheap temperature gauge that is currently in the aquarium, a timer to turn on and shutoff the intense lighting and replacement sock filters, which the installer told me will have to be replaced a few days before water changes, which he suggested should be replacing the sump water every two weeks.  I guess I just have so much it is sort of overwhelming so I have just chosen to leave the tank alone for about a week, then throw the shrimp in the next week, wait another week (2 weeks total), then measure the pH, salinity, nitrates, etc. and if all is in line introduce new animals to the tank, am I about right in this approach?

Answer
hey brian, welcome tothe world of reefkeeping...

it sounds like you got some good advice and setup assistance, although i am thinking that you maybe confused or your setup guy didnt give you clear enough directions...

It might be best for you to log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com as it is way easier to carry on a discussion, along with you getting more feedback from other reef keepers that have gone thru what you are getting ready to go thru now..

but, for now, i would ask, where do you live, so i can get an idea of the 'ambient' temperature your tank will be in, (trying to understand why the setup guy said NO to the heater..)

Heaters are a must,,, they have a thermostat so they will only come on when needed.

The ideal temperature for a reeftank with mixed reef/corals, is between 75-81  My tank is at 79

(you can see the stats for my tank at http://66.147.240.164/~thelitu5/TLO/graphs.php?period=hour24&from=&to=&Temperatu...)

dont get too confused but you can play around on that page and click and checkbox things to see when things come on and turn off...

you cant break anything there so have fun...

as for the raw shrimp, your info is mostly correct, although only leave the shrimp in the tank for three days... you can tie a string around it to yank it out after the three days...


you should start testing for ammonia and nitrite... those are the first things to look out for, and expect... and after your tank 'cycles' the nitrite will drop to zero, (after a huge spike)

Your filtration is all biological.. the sock and sponge only act to catch larger particulate matter, so yes, they filter, but that filter will not sustain a reef tank..

the only thing that mattters is the biological filterration... which will grow and mature to suit your tank SPECIFICALLY... it will grow in size/population depdending on your system, and your routines/maintenance...

I can give you laundry list of things to do, but dont want to confuse you...  for now, please test the ammonia and nitrite and let me know what they are...

you should test for nitrite DAILY, (around the same time of day)  and write the results down... the numbers/results should gradually go up, then go up more quickly when it is close to being done, then it will spike, one day, then bottom out to zero the next...

at aroudn the same time, you should start testing for nitrates...  not as often, but for now, at least 1-2 times per week...


your salinity should be around 1.025  temp = 75-81



you should be having to replace fresh water daily to replace what evaporates.... you will see an area around the pump , in your sump that will drop over time, during the day.. this is the only indication you will get that you are loseing water... if you dont replace that water, your pump will start to pump air bubbles...


replace with fresh water, (ro/di)


Please let me know what else you have in your system... what tuype of lighting...  and how many hours per day are they on...


anyways, i look forward to hearing from you...


bill