Help with Xtra Sand/Crushed Corel...

[SEAG]

Hello all,
Well I finally got my tank filled with water - sand/gravel is in, pump is running. It is still really cloudy. I guess that should clear up in th enext 24 hrs. I have left over sand and corel that I rinsed and is still wet. How should I store it so no funk grows in it? Put it in the sun? Should I heat it in the oven on low until it drys so no bacteria grows in it? or just put it away wet?

Thanks!! I hope she turns out alright..the tank that is...
Sean

 

[Great Lakes]

Just spread it out somewhere to dry. If you seal it up and store it wet, you are in for a stinky surprise...

GL

 

[SEAG]

Thanks! THat is what I will do.

One other question. When I first put the water in the tank, the temp was about 78-76 degrees. Overnight the temp has gone up to 81-80 deg. I am only running a canister filter at this poiny. I turned off the power head and have not istalle the air stones. My home temp is like 72-73 degrees. Will this stablize to around 78. The heater hasn't even had a chance to run!

The water is clearing - hopefully it will go crystal clear in another day or so.

Thanks!
Sean

 

[Navarre]

I dont have my heaters plugged in and icannot keep my tank temperature below 82 degrees

Unfortunately with marines you will find that all the equipment end to increase the temperatures. Lighting, powerheads etc, all these add considerable heat to the water.

If you want to try and keep the tank cooler then add a fan for the surface of the water, this will help with cooling but will increase evaporation.

I have got fans over my tank and if i turn them on then i can get a temperature between 78-80 degree. My evaporation goes thruogh the roof though.

Without fans i change 6 topup 6 ltres per day.
With fans im closer to 18 litres

 

[SEAG]

Well, The temp has dropped to 76-78 - I turned on the powerhead and unplugged the heater...I need to watch as the day goes on to see what it does during the day. This was over night.

The water is still a little cloudy. I can see thru it very well but it still seems a bit milky. Wil the clear with H2O changes? Will LR help out?

As far as LR goes, I guess the SG should be correct and the PH - everything else will come after the LR kicks in, right?

Thanks again!
Sean

 

[Navarre]

You could try placing a small internal filter in the tank for a day or so with filter floss in it. This will take out the cloudiness for you.

IS the live rock currently in the tank? if so what is your SG and PH readings?

 

[SEAG]

Sorry about that..I went on Vacation for a couple of days. No LR yet..I just tested the PH and the SG - PH is between 8.0 and 8.2 - closer to the color of 8.0 - the SG was low as well like 1.019. I mixed up some more salt water in a bucket and added it. I got it to about 1.020 and 1.021. I am trying to work it to like 1.023 if possible. Just don't want to add too much salt. Will the PH come up as I get the Water to the right SG?

I started the air stones and turned on heater - 78 deg. Temp looks good now.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[Navarre]

The salt usually buffers the PH somewhat. If you are u sing coral sand or aragonite then this should buffer it up also.

What time of day are you taking the PH readings? PH usually drops at night.

WHen you add the live rock this should also help brin ghte PH up a bit. 8.0 is not dangerously low to be honest. If you can keep it at 8.2 then even better but most people can keep a tank running ok with a PH above 7.9

 

[SEAG]

Okay..I have been adding Salt water with higher SG...pouring in like 1/2 Gal, letting it rest for an hour and then checking it again. THe SG is right at 1.021. The pH seems to be about the same - 8.0, may have gotten a little closer to the 8.2 color.

Do you recommend products such as Proper ph 8.2 or is it better to try to get the tank to reach the pH more naturally?

Where do you think I should get the SG to? I would like to go out tomorrow and get my first set of live rock.

Thanks again for all of your help!
Sean

 

[Navarre]

My SG is 1.025. But i do use Natural sea water and just mantian this SG via topups etc. THe lower the SG the harder it is for parasites to take hold but for this to really be an issue you would need to go below 1.020 i think. You will save money with salt over a long period with a lower sg also.

It eally is not a huge issue what the sg is as long as its around the SG you have or higher. The key issue is to keep it stable. no wild changes in SG as this is far more damagnig than a stable high or low sg

 

[SEAG]

Well, I checked th SG and it is now at 1.022. I am going to change some of the H2O out and replace it with a higher SG. I would like to get it up to 1.023 -24 at least before I put in the LR. THe PH still seems to be 8.0-8.1. Any recommendations at to what type of LR? I know the prices ranged from $3.99 to 5.99/ pound. I think they had Fiji and Florida FR...one other kind.

As for a RO system, I had a guy come out to look at my current system which is about 10 yrs old. Said it would cost $3-400 to service. A new system...the Ecowater Systems ERO R450E system..installed for $1,000....I could get a good Kent Marine or Pinnacle system for half and install it myself. I was shocked...

I am learning that the more I learn about this hobby, the more I spend!!!

But it fun!!

Thanks again for everyones' help!

Sean
(I trust you all more than the sales people!)

 

[Navarre]

Cant really comment on the florida rock as its not easy to get hold of over here. Fuji is very good as a base rock for building the reef up with. It also have alot of surface area for baterial communities. Tonga rock has fantastic shapes and really helps to make the reef look more diverse. I have heard good reports about arabian liverock but never seen this.

As for your RO unit. Im from the uk and my RO unit (50gpd) cost me £85, this is about $120 brand new.

Im sure you can find RO units cheaper than this. If not then i can give you the address of the supplier i use. He might be able to ship out to you.

 

[SEAG]

Well I got the LR in the tank, pH has come up to 8.2. The nitrite level is about .5ppm and the Nitrate level is about .5ppm - ammonia is still 0ppm. Looking good... got 26 lbs. BTW..it was Pomeii LR

I added a prawn cut up to the tank to help jump start the Ammonia and nitrogen process- is this ok?

One cool thing I found...a small - like 1 cm tube worm on one piece of LR. It goes in and out..I hope it is getting nutrition...

Thanks again for your help!
Sean