salt newbie 1

[saltier]

Are there places on this site where accessories can be purchased?

[JimD]

Yep!
http://www.maast.org/modules/Sponsors/index.php

[Big_Pun]

no problem only way to learn is to ask, good luck with everthing

[Kristy]

Okay, my greatest concern was that you had not finished cycling the system. The information was still split between two different threads (thank you for fixing that, Jim?) and I was trying to read the timeline then go back and respond on a different thread, etc. Glad to hear your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all within "normal limits," but did you ever see a spike in ammonia, followed by the spike in nitrites, followed by the rise in nitrates? That's what indicates that you have completed the cycle.

Other than that, yes, I would think the powerhead and skimmer issue is one you might want to ask around for more opinions about, because no one else is going to recommend going without the two of those on your setup. You need the flow in the water to keep detritus from building up and you need to oxygenate the water with some movement. The skimmer will help remove excess proteins and waste.

Still think that 8 damsels is a heavy bioload for a new 29g system, but it's also too many damsels in other ways. Most end up regretting the damsels purchase because they won't be able to add any other of the beautiful and gentle reefsafe fishes appropriate for this tank because the damsels are mean and territorial and will harass and kill whatever new you might want to add later on.

Welcome to MAAST! Coming here seems to be the best piece of advice that you were given! We all made lots of beginner mistakes and will be the first ones to admit it, so please ask away if you have any questions or need anything explained. All the good and very knowledgeable folks here will be happy to offer their best insight to further this hobby we all love.

[saltier]

Kristy....you rock!!! I have not seen those spikes yet so I will keep them monitored closely. I have a place to resale my damsels when I get the tank properly set. Thank you for all your help and assistance, I have been looking online for an inexpensive skimmer and a power head. I wanted to start small so I can actually see just how extensive the process of operating a marine environment can be. My desire is to operate a 55 gal Hawaiian reef with only fish, coral and invertebrates indigenous to that area as I lived there for 6yrs.

[Kristy]

Hey, thanks for noticing that I rock !

Keep checking your levels daily. An ammonia spike will kill those fish, which is not cool, even for damsels. Better idea to get rid of them now.

There have been lots of new and gently used Koralia powerheads in the "for sale" forum the past few days, so I'd recommend you check there. Koralias are inexpensive and convenient powerheads and a good option for you. Your 29g would do well with a K#2 or even a #3 probably (anybody with a 29g cube want to offer up what size they would recommend?). We tend to overkill on flow, and had 2 K#2's on our 20g hex in order to point one up to agitate the surface water, good oxygenation and keeps pH up then one pointed more downward and bouncing off the front glass to diffuse flow throughout the tank. Worked well for us, but considered overkill by most.

You cannot post in the for sale forums until you have had 50 posts or pay the $25 for a charter membership, but if you want to buy something in the for sale forums, you can just send the seller a pm about it.

There are also some hang-on-back skimmers and other inexpensive skimmers to look at in the for sale threads. Cannot recall if you have a sump to put a skimmer in, but if not, the hang-on-back (or HOB) is a good option for you.

[vman181]

Hey, thanks for noticing that I rock !

Keep checking your levels daily. An ammonia spike will kill those fish, which is not cool, even for damsels. Better idea to get rid of them now.

I second on get rid of the Damsels now. You don't need them to start a cycle or to help it. Your tank will do it on its own over the 4 to 6 weeks. Just keep checking your water a few times a week. You'll see the change.

[saltier]

Thanks vman

[Bill S]

I second the skimmer (I have a CPR bakpak on my 55), and powerheads. By now, you should see something - ammonia, nitrites or nitrates. If you haven't, you might have a bad test kit. With that stocking level, you pretty much HAVE to have something.

[saltier]

Ok peoples!!! Just got a maxi-jet 600 powerhead and my skimmer is enroute! I purchased Kent marine "purple Tech" to assist with purple coralline and green calcareous micro algae and dropped down to just 5 damsels. So far things are looking good, so how long after I put the powerhead on should I test my water? And can I or should I check it during the time frame (over whatever the period of time for the purple tech to work) I am adding the purple tech?