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grateful1 
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Joined: February 20 2009
Location: Univ. of Utah
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 Topic: One week anniverary
Posted: February 26 2009 at 1:43pm |
I set my tank up one week ago today, and there has been some interesting progress since then:
1. I visited both Brad and Eva, and their tanks blew my mind.
2. I tested my own water for the first, second, and third times (I was excited!).
3. The guy at the LFS told me that my tank wasn't going to "cycle", as I had gotten pre-cured LR and LS from him. He also told me that there wouldn't be any die-off just between the LFS and my house. I believed him.
4. Based on that belief and the fact that the tests showed that all my water parameters were in range, I picked up: 1 Red Mushroom (which is doing fine, despite having had some problems with the water current), 1 frag of Zoanthids (which are doing fine. Since I have gotten them, little baby polyps have begun to show), and 1 Blue Chromi, which I found dead this morning. I tested the water last night and Nitrates were a touch high, maybe 25 or 30, there was a bit of Ammonia present, and Ph was a touch low, maybe 8.0. When I found him (or her) he was wedged into one of the bottom rocks in an awkward position. Not really believing that a fish could get himself fatally stuck in a rock, I am led to the conclusion that the sub-par water must have killed him.
I know that this will probably earn me a few "I-told-you-so"s, but I am still not 100% sure why. When I got the chromi, the water was fine. So:
1. Was the "Your tank won't cycle" info bogus?
2. I think it must have been, or else where did the nitrates and ammonia come from?
3. Also, if the water was bad enough to kill the chromi, why aren't the zoos and mushroom suffering? Or are they next?
Thanks y'all,
Scott
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grateful1
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 1:47pm |
I almost forgot. Since today is the one-week anniversary and all, I was planning on doing my first water change. I have read that it is a good idea to get replacement water from someone with an established tank.
1. Is that true? It seems logical to me, as the "established" water will be chemically balanced, and will probably also have a bunch of good bacteria.
2. If so, is there anyone near downtown/the Avenues that could spare 5 gallons or so?
Thanks again,
Scott
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Adam Blundell
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Joined: June 24 2002
Location: Davis County
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 2:07pm |
I'd highly recommend calling Charlie (CHastings) and getting a bucket of water from his tank.
I think the tank will cycle... albeit a very small and hard to detect type of cycle. It won't have the huge spikes in nitrogen levels, but it will still take some time for the bacteria to develop and for the system to settle in. The corals will be fine, and I'd continue on that route. But I'd avoid adding fish for several more weeks.
Adam
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Come to a meeting, they’re fun!
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CrimsRayne
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 2:09pm |
It can easily be that the chromis wasn't healthy to begin with, but there is no way to know for sure. Soft beginner corals are more tollerant of bad water quality (IME). btw, what is your tank temp day/night?
It is true that having rock and water from other established tanks will shorten or "eleminate" the actually "cycling" of the tank, but there is still the nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, etc spikes and whatnot that need to get worked out, plus the tank needs to get it's OWN established levels (which can be considered cycling)
I know I am not close, but I am doing water changes/exchanges today.
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"What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer
"The Puffer Girl"
Zoo freak :)
West Jordan
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Andreason
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Joined: March 30 2008
Location: Lehi
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 2:14pm |
Sounds like the tank is cycling. Was the chromis acclimated carefully? They can be touchy to both that and water params. Ammonia doesn't bother corals like it does fish. Hopefully your corals will be ok. You can 'seed' your tank with both water and sand from someone's established tank. I would wait awhile before adding fish again, let the cycle run it's course. I am not near the avenues, but if you come down to Lehi you are welcome to water and sand. I am assuming your salinity is ok and your temp is stable, etc. I would not worry about the ph at this point. How big is your tank?
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Andreason's
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grateful1
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 2:20pm |
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Salinity is okay. Temp goes down around 74 at night; 76 during the day. I have a heater that hangs on the back wall that regulates that.
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shakin06
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 2:22pm |
I set my 65 reef up on 11/8/08 and put 11 chromis in the tank on 11/9/08 and today still have 11 chromis. 
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72 Bow ASM G2 Oceanic1 mag 9.5
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CrimsRayne
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 2:22pm |
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Alex reminded me that he can take 5g of our water to work with him tomorrow so you could pick it up there ~100 N 400 W
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"What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer
"The Puffer Girl"
Zoo freak :)
West Jordan
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Mike Savage
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Posted: February 26 2009 at 5:24pm |
Definitely check out Charlie Hastings tank if you get the chance.
Mike
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Dion Richins
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Posted: February 27 2009 at 12:05am |
 shakin06 wrote:
I set my 65 reef up on 11/8/08 and put 11 chromis in the tank on 11/9/08 and today still have 11 chromis. |
Thats cause your a GOD Steve. 
I can keep some of the most temperamental fish but chromis always die 
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tileman
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Posted: February 27 2009 at 12:37am |
I told ya so..... Patience is the key to a successful reef. Unless your name is Steve 
Seriuosly, Steve has been around awhile so he knows a few tricks. Be patient and wait on the fish. unless you like flushing money down the drain.
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335G Reef
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: February 27 2009 at 9:06am |
The thread below might be a good read for you and may confirm or help explain some of the things you seem to already have an intuition for. http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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