My first saltwater aquarium help!!!!!

[jailah]

I am start a fowlr tank.
This is my first fish tank ever but I am sure I am capable of this. I’ve watched 1000 YouTube videos, tik toks, read articles, researched everyday until about 1 am about this stuff..
my tank is set up and has been going for about a week now. It’s a 29 gal, glass, long tank. I mixed my water with instant ocean salt.
My live rock is only about 6lbs. Not much. I plan to add more. I started it July 31st, so it’s been running for a week.
I tested 4 days in and got
Ph- 8.0
Ammonia- 0.50 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm.
The first day I set it up I added good bacteria (quick start)

(8/6) The second test, which I took two days later read,
ph - 8.4
Ammonia - 1.0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm

(8/7) I tested tonight, and received these results Ph- 8.0
Ammonia - 0.50 ppm
Nitrite- 0 ppm
Nitrate- between 0-5.0 ppm

I just need answers lol. Advice. Is this okay??! Should I not be doing this for my first aquarium ever. I’m sure I can handle it as I have so much free time.
Should I add more ammonia? And let it cycle some more.
I’m willing to leave it as long as I need before adding fish.
One more teeny issue. I may or may not have not mixed the salt before adding water. I stirred it good. And my salinity reads between 1.022 and 1.023. I’ve tested the salinity everyday. And it has stayed semi frequent except for day one and two, I did a water change because my salinity was very high. I believe I added too much salt at first.
Let me know. I hope this makes sense. I really just want a pair of clownfish. And maybe a few corals. Thanks!

I have the aqueon filter to filter a 29 gal, live sand, and a few decor and rocks. Let me know. Thanks

 

[Gumbies R Us]

As long as your salinity is 1.024-26 (preferably 1.026) you’ll be fine. Just don’t let it fluctuate by a drastic amount when livestock is in there. Also I would ditch the fake decorations in your tank. They can erode and leak harmful chemicals into your water, and they will get covered in algae and look ugly over time. If you are planning coral in your tank that will be the decoration you need, haha.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I would suggest that more rocks are more important than fish right now, rocks are the main biofilter in a salt water tank. They also provide hiding spaces for fish, and new fish always want hiding spaces.

Fake plants rarely last in saltwater. You have no flow in the tank and will have low oxygenation, its important to get at least one powerhead in there, 2 is better, and aim it at the water surface to agitate it and help oxygenate the water. Rocks and flow are very important in a salt tank.

That small hob filter will not provide much filtration, a low fish load and frequent water changes will help.

Not to discourage you at all, only to help, but this tank is set up like a freshwater tank and it will be very challenging as a salt tank. I would suggest to improve the habitat for your fish before adding them.

This is a good guide to explain the basics of a salt tank. Good luck

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[stewy14]

ditch the fake plants and Gumbies said, use live sand, remove the glass rocks, more rock, personally I would order from tampabaysaltwater.com

 

[Jekyl]

Great advice already given. I'll just say welcome to R2R!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

As others have said, please lose the fake plants and glass bead things. More rock for sure. The rock serves so many different purposes. Bip filtration, life, hiding places for the fish, lifts up off the sand for corals. A good rule of thumb for rocks is 1 lb. per gallon, but even half that to start would be better than just a couple pounds. I second the power heads. You will need at least 2. One for surface agitation, and one for flow in the water column.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Also, if you are thinking of corals, or anemones, down the road, you will need a good light. What type of light do you currently have?

 

[kevgib67]

I agree with everything above, that light looks like a fresh water light. Look into light requirements for corals before you put any in your tank., it’s ok your still learning and that’s why you’re here. Welcome, we are glad that you have joined us!

 

[phillyb614]

What they said LOL! More rock, no fake decorations, more flow/surface agitation, etc. Good luck! You are in good hands with this community.

 

[stoned-reefer83]

Like everyone has already said...the fake decor will cause headaches down the road. It looks like that's a pretty deep sand bed, there is a such thing as to much, and or to little. You definitely need some surface agitation, circulation and flow are your friend! No amount of water change is going to help your salinity stay constant, only the water evaporats....not the salt, Get yourself an ATO. Every time you do a water change your also changing your water chemistry.
Add more rock, that is where your biofilter comes from. I'm sure it sounds like alot with what we are all saying but the truth is nothing in this hobby is cheap. Take it from me, I tried to cut corners and it's costed me more in the long run if I had taken my time. Patience is KEY in this hobby. As Phillyb614 said your in good hands here....just take it SLOOOW!

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Hello, welcome to reef2reef! I totally agree with the advice given here. Especially more rocks! More rocks, more space for your fish to hide and your coral to grow!

I actually just polled some of my fellow members here about their feelings/experiances on artificial tank decor. You may find it helpful while deciding if yours will stay or go. I'll link it below! Good luck, and glad you're here!

Check this thread out: Would you consider using artificial decor in your saltwater aquarium?

 

[jailah]

Also, if you are thinking of corals, or anemones, down the road, you will need a good light. What type of light do you currently have?

I currently have the aqueon LED Deluxe full hood 30” with a blue light also attached that I bought separately. I just currently have them turned off. I heard that that will help algae grow less. let me know if I should upgrade.

 

[jailah]

I agree with everything above, that light looks like a fresh water light. Look into light requirements for corals before you put any in your tank., it’s ok you’re still learning and that’s why you’re here. Welcome, we are glad that you have joined us!

My light is currently the aqueon LED deluxe full hood 30” with a blue light attached that I bought separately. They are currently off let me know if upgrade is needed

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I currently have the aqueon LED Deluxe full hood 30” with a blue light also attached that I bought separately. I just currently have them turned off. I heard that that will help algae grow less. let me know if I should upgrade.

Hey again, Yes, leaving the lights completely OFF for the first couple months will go a long way towards keeping algae at bay. If you want to eventually have any type of corals or anemone you will need better lighting. A fairly priced light that I use is a Hipargero 100 watt. It is a great light, you will only need one. They are about $180.00. But look around, you may find something better. Get more live rock in the mean time, and some CUC.

 

[jailah]

As others have said, please lose the fake plants and glass bead things. More rock for sure. The rock serves so many different purposes. Bip filtration, life, hiding places for the fish, lifts up off the sand for corals. A good rule of thumb for rocks is 1 lb. per gallon, but even half that to start would be better than just a couple pounds. I second the power heads. You will need at least 2. One for surface agitation, and one for flow in the water column.

Power heads (like wave makers?) should I add that now or when I have fish. I was asking around and many people give me different answers. If I should add one before fish I will pick one up at my lfs this weekend. Thank you!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Power heads (like wave makers?) should I add that now or when I have fish. I was asking around and many people give me different answers. If I should add one before fish I will pick one up at my lfs this weekend. Thank you!

The one for surface agitation will help provide oxygenated water for life! Very needed, otherwise the water will not have any oxygen. The one for flow can wait if you like, but it is to keep the water in the tank moving in order to not let things like algae get a hold. I can tell you if it were me, I would get both now. For your tank size, you will not need big ones.

 

[kevgib67]

My light is currently the aqueon LED deluxe full hood 30” with a blue light attached that I bought separately. They are currently off let me know if upgrade is needed

Sorry I’m not familiar with those lights, hopefully someone will chime in with an answer.

 

[stewy14]

Power heads (like wave makers?) should I add that now or when I have fish. I was asking around and many people give me different answers. If I should add one before fish I will pick one up at my lfs this weekend. Thank you!

u can buy cheap and good ones on amazon for cheap, but here is some good rock: https://tbsaltwater.com/
good cheap rock: https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...kJX13uWHAxXlhYkEHRdKOJwQww8oAnoECAcQGg&adurl=

good sand(what u should use, comes with a lot of bacteria): https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...orD83uWHAxVdg4kEHRoPOCsQww8oAnoECAoQIw&adurl=

but check out my little "article" I made for newbies! https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/n...a-budget-here-are-some-lists-for-you.1048515/

 

[stewy14]

Sorry I’m not familiar with those lights, hopefully someone will chime in with an answer.

its a pretty ok and cheap freshwater light(well, if u bought the 20gal kit... or something)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Power heads (like wave makers?) should I add that now or when I have fish. I was asking around and many people give me different answers. If I should add one before fish I will pick one up at my lfs this weekend. Thank you!

You should have one now, it'll allow for your tank to have proper oxygen levels.