Tropical Fish Forums

[Liveinabox419]

I just recently added water, live sand, and live rock to my 29 gallon. Equipment is a Rena XP2, one each of a Koralia 1 & 2, and a Aqua Euro Protein Skimmer, all running now. But, right now my tank is cloudy as all get out!! The sand just settles on the rocks so I brush it off, only to cloud the water more.

But anyway, the real problem , I think, is in the protien skimmer's collection cup is only water. Is that right?? Now there is an outlet in the cup, but I capped it because I don't know where it is suppose to drain. Is the protein skimmer messed up or what? And, what do I do about the cloudy water?
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28 gallon freshwater

29 Gallon Reef Tank: 1 Black Percula, 1 TR Percula, 1 Yellow Watchmen & Pistol Shrimp, 1 Six-line Wrasse, 1 Cleaner Shrimp

[gm333]

Protien skimmers need time to break-in before they start working in a consistant fashion. Plus you don't have any waste in the water yet if you just added it to the tank. Which model do you have? The only model I see with a drain is the rps-265. If so you need to drain it to a container. a lot of people use 2-liter bottles.
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Its only fun if you make it fun!

[Liveinabox419]

The model is the new nano. My work gave it to me for $50 to try it out. But I figured because there wasnt anything in the water it wasnt pulling anything out. So the tank is clearing up alittle, but I keep moviing the rocks. lol Should I leave the skimmer running even though nothing is in there? And what should be the first live creature(s) I add??
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28 gallon freshwater

29 Gallon Reef Tank: 1 Black Percula, 1 TR Percula, 1 Yellow Watchmen & Pistol Shrimp, 1 Six-line Wrasse, 1 Cleaner Shrimp

[FloridaBoy]

You need to make sure your tank is properly cycled,
the skimmer can interfere with this process in my opinion... I would suggest you research and understand the nitrogen cycle---the normal cycling period is about 3-4 weeks, water tests will confirm when it is safe to add your animals. Here's more:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/estbiofiltmar.htm
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[Liveinabox419]

Thanks. It seems that cycleing a saltwater aquarium is alittle different than a fresh water one. So, I will continue with no live stock and monitor the Ammonia (which is just barely regestering) and keep a look out for those nitrates. But how long should I have my lights on during the cycleing proccess?
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28 gallon freshwater

29 Gallon Reef Tank: 1 Black Percula, 1 TR Percula, 1 Yellow Watchmen & Pistol Shrimp, 1 Six-line Wrasse, 1 Cleaner Shrimp

[art_of_war]

[Liveinabox419]

Right now, to add a source of ammonia, I am just adding old Cichlid Gold pellets and any left over juice I have from when I feed frozen food to my fresh. Is this okay? Or should I go about this another way?

What should be the first fish I add? I was trying to decide between a Coral Beauty or a Flame Angel. I also wanted to add a Royal Gramma, Firefish, and maybe a scooter blenny or Banggii Cardinal.
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28 gallon freshwater

29 Gallon Reef Tank: 1 Black Percula, 1 TR Percula, 1 Yellow Watchmen & Pistol Shrimp, 1 Six-line Wrasse, 1 Cleaner Shrimp

[art_of_war]

[FloridaBoy]