new set up

[venus]

Hi everone, I'm new to reefkeeping (3 weeks)& RC. I got a 70g tank, built a overflow filter at one end. bung in a queen skimmer with a 1600 ltr pump 2800ltr flow pump back in to tank and filled it with bioballs & coral pieces. built a hood with 3 strips of powerglow fluro and 1 strip of actinic (tank is 6ft). 40kg live rock uncurred(been in for 5 days) sand bed.1000ltr powerhead other end of tank.

I've been test water every day and amonia .25, nitrite 5 both on the way down, ph 8.2. temp 28*(trying to set at 26*)alkilinity 8dkh.

question :PH keeps going down. Is this normal for a new tank?
: anyone see problem with setup?
: when do I turn the lights on?( I've got them on now is that ok
: whats next?

[MalHavoc]

First,

[welcome]

You may want to read a few of the items here:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166836

since this is a new tank, you'll be told by many to remove the bio balls entirely. Have you any plans to keep coral? If so, you may have to upgrade your lighting at some point (depends on the forals though).

You should keep at least some of your lights on during the cycle. Some critters on the rock need light to live. pH drop during a tank cycle is common - your alkalinity is being consumed rapidly by the nitrification process.