Day by day log of a newbies 75 gallon, TBS startup tank

[chrisnpa]

Originally posted by jeffman1
It looks like i had 2 small rocks in the wrong way, went i looked at them the first time seemed like nothing was on them but, which i think was the problem since they looked bad and smelt the pretty bad compared to the other rocks.

I'm glad you seem to have found the source of your ammonia spike. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know I'd be really scared myself if I had to face the same situation.

Please keep us posted and good luck !

Chris

[jeffman1]

I will order a RO/DI unit off ebay this week. I been thinking about getting one.

When you use the RO/DI do you still use the stress coat?

[chrisnpa]

Originally posted by jeffman1


When you use the RO/DI do you still use the stress coat?

jeffman1,

I don't think there's a need for the stress coat once you begin using RO/DI however, I defer to the more experienced reefers on the forum for confirmation.

Chris

[wooglin]

No stress coat. RO/DI puts out pure water when working properly.

[jeffman1]

I live near the ocean, so i am thinking maybe i will just start getting some ocean water, at least until i can get the tank back under control. It seems like it is going to cost too much in salt at the rate i am going, over $240 in 1 week so far and the ammonia is still not dropping.

Is this something i should do or no? And is there something i should test the ocean water for or do to before i use it?

[Bax]

Near shore ocean water may not be all that clean.

If you are in a really pristeen area it may be OK.

IMHO, I would not use it unless you can test for impurities before hand and that would cost a lot more than $240.

[jeffman1]

There is a dive site right were i would get the water from which has a ton for crabs and other things.

Is there a way to just filter the ocean water?

[H2OLUVSME]

Originally posted by jeffman1
Is there a way to just filter the ocean water?

there is a way to treat ocean water discussed in a Martin Moe book. also there are a few people on RC that collect and use ocean water. in the TBS forum there is a thread called "TBS sand". i believe a guy posted his technique in that thread.

[Randall_James]

Without reading all 60+ pages, what is the status of the feather duster you added at the very start?

[wooglin]

Still have both.. One is on the left side, one on the right.

[rjwilson37]

Wooglin, Has either of your feather duster's ever lost there crown and grown it back? If so, how many times has this happened that you can recall.

[jeffman1]

Someone at the lps told me i could just use some sea salt to make the saltwater. Right now i have been buying 150 gallon buckets of Instant Ocean for $60 each, but since everything in the tank is died, to keep changing the water costs too much.

Would it go a good idea to do this, and is there any recommandation on what to look for, or does anyone know a cheap way i can make the salt water to cycle this died tank until i get the ammiona in line?

I have cleaned the rocks 2 times now, it is mostly a black color on the rocks were stuff was died, but i think i pretty much have everything off the rock now, so i am hoping the ammoina will start to drop.

I have not been changing out the water as much as i should because i just cant justify spending that much on died rock and since even 50 gallon changed didnt do anything for the ammoina i figured it is going to cost, so much in salt if i keep doing it.
At the rate i am going with the salt i could just rebuy a new package from tbsaltwater and then maybe i would have live rock

Any tips on how i can make some cheap saltwater, it just has to be for the short term until i get the tank cycled. Once i get my new set of rock i am fine with paying for the salt, and i got a ri/do on its way so i am hoping that may help with the water also.

[wooglin]

Absolutly not. You need to stay away from that LFS. The only kind of salt that should ever be used in a fish tank is Salt that is designed for a marine tank.

One of my feather dusters lost its crown after I accidently moved it, instead of it and the tube. I died shortly thereafter. The other two have never lost thier crown and are thriving.

[jeffman1]

I figured he did not know what he was talking about, thx for the info.

[jeffman1]

I was going though my camera and figured i would post some pictures of my tank.

Here was my tank on the first day:



Here is the tank on the 3rd day, there is the day things took a bad turn and the start of everything dieing started:

Left Side:


Middle:


Right Side:


Pictures from today



Sump:

[gregt]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=569267