new tank syndrome-how long?

[jbdreefs]

Okay....

The new tank syndrome. When you setup your tank, what stages did your tank go through? Did you combat the symptoms or just wait it out? How long did you have to wait until you could really say that your tank was established? (More than just cycled?)

I'm still battling the new tank syndrome and I'm curious about your experiences.

 

[loco4fish5434]

I let my system run for three months before I put any corals in it. After about a month or two I started to add cheap damsels to help the cycle process. But a bunch of different things can determine how long it takes your tank to become established. You will get a million and one different opinions from different types of setups. Obviously you have less to worry about if your doing a fish only vs a reef. Also things like water volume, sand bed depth, sump and skimmer usage and etc can influence your cycle process. Ive heard a good rule of thumb is to let your system cycle for about two months before adding anything if your doing a reef. But Ive read it can take six months to a year for you tank to complete cycle out. Hope this helps your just going to have to experiment and see what works with your system. My best advice would be don't add any coral until your levels are were they should be it could be a expensive learning curb.

 

[ibleedblue65]

My tank originally took 6-8 months before the "new tank syndrome" was over. I started with dead rock and live sand. Had a brown diatom blume early on that went away on its own. Then about 3 months in I got since bad cyano and couldn't figure out what was causing it. I finally broke down after a month and declared war. Went through the whole tank and broke it up. Did a bunch if water changes combined with red slime remover. within two weeks it was gone and has not returned. it has been pretty stable since with weekly water changes. Even after several moves.

 

[rdnelson]

As mentioned above, it will really depend on a ton of factors. But, in my case, I started with a good amount of really nice Live Rock and some Base Rock (dead rock). I waited a good month on the cycle but never saw anything much happening. After a month, I dosed a bit of pure ammonia and in 24 hours it was gone. I believe (but don't quote me) the use of the established live rock meant I never really did go through a cycle. I did get the diatom bloom a couple weeks in but just let it run its course.

I have seen very small outbreaks of hair algae, bubble algae and just good old fashioned green algae but nothing much. Long story short, I have been very lucky and my tank has been extremely stable since I set it up in July. All fish and corals are thriving.

 

[jbdreefs]

Thanks guys for the input. I'm just trying to compare my experience with some others' experience. I realize that every tank is different, and so many factors play into what actually happens. I'm just trying to get a general concensus.

My tank has been running since November. I initially cycled the tank with a dead shrimp for 2-3 weeks, then added a pair of chromi's. Once, my parameters checked out, I started to add live stock. I have been trying to take it slow, but it's so hard! I probably added live stock a little faster than slow, but way slower than "completely stupid". haha. I was able to show some self-control.

In three months, my tank has gone through an initial diatom bloom at about week 3 or 4. It lasted for a couple weeks but eventually dissappeared. Then the green algea started to cover the rocks (really started to up my CUC at this point). Next, the green algea slowly started to dissappear. Finally, the green algea is almost gone, but there is this new algea that has appeared on my sand (much like ibleedblue from above), and it is strong. I'm not sure if it's some form of diatom, dino, or cyano. For the most part it is brown and slimey. But it has the slightest red tint to it, which initially made me think of cyano. However, most of the pictures that I have seen of cyano look undoubtedly red.

My parameters are all in check, but I don't think that means anything at the moment. The algea is, I'm sure, consuming the nitrates and phosphates.

What am I doing at the moment? Weekly water changes. stirring the sand (seems pointless at the moment). Running GFO in a reactor. Added a bag of chemi-cleean and another of carbon to a highflow area of the sump.

Points where I may have gone wrong....

1) I used 80 pounds of good quality reef sand (coarse) from a LFS. I also added 20 pounds of live sand (store bought), and 40 pounds of really fine dry sand from Petco. I wish that I hadn't gone with the really fine dry sand from Petco. I'm not sure why I feel that way... I've read that some sands are better for your tank than others, and I just don't trust this sand at the moment. So, I'm going to vaccum it up, along with the crap that is on it.

2) I started the tank with sand only, then added 40 pounds of dry rock, 10 pounds of live rock. Then I added about 15 more pounds of live rock, and finally added another 50 pounds of once dead, acid bathed, and cured rock. I'm guessing that adding all the rock in the beginning would probably have shaved some time off of this process. Instead, I'm afraid it is prolonging it.

3) Initially filled the tank with RODI, but topped off with tap for a couple weeks while I was working on my mixing station. I'm back to RODI only.

Edit: just realized I misspelled "algae", like 100 times.... It's been a long week.

 

[frantz]

Well you waited longer than most people (although I'm sure the poor Chromis are sad they are not considered live stock). The tap water would help algae grow but so long as you treated it then it shouldn't be too bad. Are you doing water test? That's the real indicator. If your test come out alright I would feel comfortable adding some critters.

 

[dakota9]

Many people say a tank isn't completely past being a "new tank" until 6 to 8 months down the road.....

 

[rdnelson]

Sounds to me like you have a pretty good handle on things and know where you made mistakes. IMHO that is the biggest hurdle. I think you are probably on your way to a very nice tank.

 

[redstang]

Started my little BC29 June 2 of last year. Got some diatoms at the 2 week point. Added a small CUC at the 3 week point. Added a couple freebie corals at the 4 week point(Both did well, gave one away, the monti is thriving). Pair of clowns at 7 or 8 weeks. YWG and Tailspot Blenny at the 12 week point. 6-line wrasse at the 16 week point.

Got a dusting of brownish stuff, looked like diatoms but wasn't, in October or so. Cut off the lights for 3 days and it went away for a month. Cut the lights for 3 days again and I only see small traces of it on occasion. I cut my photo period back. Cut my feeding to once every other day, and added a skimmer. I've seen a few small tufts of what I believe is GHA but after a scrub with a tooth brush I haven't seen it come back.

Starting Vodka dosing today most likely.