Tank aging chemistry

[Dr.T.]

Wow, this is a great forum for me, as I am spanking new to the hobby. It looks like alot of my questions can be answered simply by leafing through these threads.

I am a chemist, and am terribly interested in the water chemistry of my reef tank (65 gallon, 285 watts VHO, 80 lb live rock - see 'my tank'). My tank is about 6 weeks old. It is cycled, and I'm familiar with the processes that the tank undergo during this phase.

While browsing some nice corals at a LFS, one of the people browsing told me "your tank needs to age" beyond cycling. At least 6 months, else you're throwing your money away by putting corals in so early.

I certainly don't doubt his words, and I agree there is an aging process that builds complex algaes and other life forms. What, however, occurs in this period that will help corals thrive? Stated differently, what is NOT in my tank during this phase, that might make my corals/invertebrates unhappy/unhealthy?

Thanks!

[Zack]

Hey
I will point this thread over to Chuck who works with water chem a lot and I am sure there are others who can help explain this more. I just suggest you also check out our articles section http://www.coralforum.com/cms_articles.php threr are quite a few on marine chem if you are interested.

[mojoreef]

Chemistry wise Dr. T not much is going on. you will have to find what the calcium and alk demand is for it and make sure your keeping your levels correct. In your cycle phase you basically establishing a bacterial population. each strain of bacteria has developed a population based on the food that was available at the time of cycling. What happens now is that the original food source in the tank drops down a bit and adjust to the bioload you have in thier. This will cause fluxes in the various bacterial populations. Nine times out of ten you will get a die off of bacteria, when they die they will give up all thier nutrients which will be taken up pretty quick by algae. This part of the game is what folks used to refer to as the uglies. So you will get a algae bloom or two over the next month or so. No real biggie but the bloom can affect your corals health. You should be able to get a couple of hardy corals such as mushrooms or zooanthids, if you want to look at something.

hope it helps

mike

[coral_diver]

I have to agree with mojoreef mushrooms and zoo's would be fine in a new tank as long as you are done with your cycle. I added my ricordea mushroom as my first, and this was right after the cycle then about a week later some yellow polyps. I have to say I am only in the begining still building up all the rock corals etc but I have an open brain and a rock full of zoos/polyps and it even has a good sized sponge that is doing well. In my oppinion 6mo is not necessary for beginer corals just the more specialized corals that have more needs. Dont attempt anemonies, but in place you could have a feather duster if you like. I have a trio duster and it is doing wonderfully. I feel safe in saying you could have a chili coral some leathers stuff like that also. Only add them one at a time and see how they fair and it gives you pocket book a break too. My method is add one coral then give it a week or two then add another if all is well. Just watch what you are doing and reasearch the coral before you add it and you should be fine. I lost a xenia when I first started out it was a hitchiker though so not a money loss fortunatly. My PH was low and that didnt help either if you move with what you are doing IE feed what needs to be fed and make adjustments right away for example I am starting Kalkawasser because I am adding more inverts/corals that need calcium and I know they use it up quick so it is time to start dosing but dont dose without testing. Get what I mean? Good luck.