Salt water tank?

Question

Thank You for all your responses.
The tank is now set up, somewhat cloudy for now but getting clearer by the hour. I used the live sand/coral mix plus 35 gal of pure spring water. My salt level is alittle low right now, but I will wait a few days to stabilize it, maybe a few more cups will do it. The pumps are up and running just fine although I'm alittle concerned about the power head, its working fine but I noticed the temp in the tank is at 80 without the heater on. The house temp with the AC on is 78. Is this a known problem? The pump is a Maxi-Jet 600 I have it set for a minimum of air injected at this time.
Ok I did use the proper PH but I was told it was ok, I will not use it anymore unless it really needs it, I should know better after raising a fresh water tank for 15 years.
I had to get in there to clean the glass as it had salt lines from the fill up, magnet cleaner.
DanielleZ I did E-mail you with questions, with no response.
E- Me at: [e-mail]
Thanks all
Dave

Answer 1

It sounds like you're doing fine. (Some people don't seem to read too well.)

Since the heater isn't on yet, leave it off and just keep an eye on the temp. Every motor and light that you have attached to the fish tank will add a bit of heat to it. See how far it drops at night, and you can adjust things from there.

It's ok to use the Proper PH. It's not going to kill anything, but with the right substrate and salt mix, it should be unnecessary. It's just one more thing that you have to watch and remember (There's enough to worry about...keep it as simple as possible.) Don't worry about it being in the system, it will use itself up and deplete with water changes.

Get used to cleaning, lol.

Answer 2

Are you using any lighting over your tank yet? If you have compact fluorescents, they put out a good bit of heat, even if the unit has fans. If you've got lights on, try turning them off and take a temperature reading first thing in the morning.

A temp of 80 is okay, but you don't want to let it get much higher. From Danielle Z's response, there isn't anything stocked in the tank yet. Fish will be a little more tolerant of higher temps than inverts would be, but you have to consider either raising your electric bill (cooling your room more) or investing in a chiller for the tank.

Forget the Proper pH! You need to use too much of this stuff, a bottle treats very little tank volume, and you'll go broke adding this to keep your pH where you need it. What you should look at is kalkwasser - it adds calcium and raises pH- you just have to be very careful because it's caustic.

Answer 3

I guess my first question is what in the world are you doing? set up???? how long not less than 6 weeks it isn't set up less than 6 months not mature? Spring water? who cares...same as tap who told you this crap? Wait...wait 6 weeks to 6 months for fish hun that is what it is goin to take. Quit listening to the quacks here. 80 degrees? you don't need a chiller turn off your heater if your temp s are that hot...hard to believe....however Maxi jet 600 or not. How could you use the proper PH when your tank is new? there is no proper PH and if it was what is it? Air injection right now is no factor what is you r question???

First off forget what ever you know about fresh water. It is useless in salt that is what pisses me off about people who don't have salt giving adviceto someone who wants to start a salt...can we name them?????? Magnet cleaners...get rid of those too. This is Danielle Z and I recieved no emails from you.

Try Fishqueen_2000@ yahoo.com and I will respond.

I will email you.

ADDED:

I did not yet receive your email. Sorry nothing yet. I was at a fishing tourny and did not take my lap top with me....sorry...I need a vacation too! I am back and I am still here. I checked my bulk email as well and did not see anything from you. I sent an email for you to respond to.....I am back. and I will help

Answer 4

It's not uncommon for an aquarium to be a touch warmer in the summer/colder in the winter than the room temerature without the heater on. This is because your house has to get above a certain temperature for the AC to kick on-below it for the heater to. Water takes longer to heat, so it would stay at the median temperature between the coldest and hottest the house gets during that time period.