Rate my GSP's care

[Aquarist]

Btw. This tank was cycled for 6 weeks and I watched ammonia spike nitrite spike and nitrate spike. When I added new bacteria it was processed quickly. All parameters are staying in check. The sand must of been false advertising, Yes. But the liverock is growing red algae at this SG. So it seems to be thriving. Is 1.012 SG fine for my gsp? Hes two inches right now. What should it be at?

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, that SG is fine. You could go higher or save some $$$ on salt.

[Aquarist]

Yes, that SG is fine. You could go higher or save some $$$ on salt.

Why did you say I would get an ammonia spike? Dont wanna harm this lil' GSP ofc:) I have PLENTY Of salt. I have a like.. $50 bag of it. So thats no issue. Just wanted to know if I should raise it any?

[Brandon8521]

The reason for the ammonia spike would be from die off from the LR. How long has the live rock been in there and where did you get it from. Was it dry or cured.

Live sand is pointless though. But since your tank is already cycled i would think your in the clear for amm spikes (unless you have just recently introduced the live rock.)

[Pufferpunk]

4lbs in 60g probably won't show much. Now if you added the usually suggested 1.5-2lbs/g, there's be a problem.

[Aquarist]

It was cured and has been in the tank for about 8-12 weeks now. Its only a measly 4 lbs and seems to be doing fine with growing red algae

[Brandon8521]

Since you do have the intentions of going full marine i wouldnt introduce any cured live rock into your tank untill its at 1.020. But you can get the dry base rock to goahead and build the bacteria up in them and just seed them with small peices of cured live rock once you reach that point in your transition.

[Aquarist]

4lbs in 60g probably won't show much. Now if you added the usually suggested 1.5-2lbs/g, there's be a problem.

Theres a sign of relief! What should the salinity be raised to? Should I get a powerhead? protein skimmer? What else does he need. On a 1-10 what would you rate his care as? Thanks.

[Brandon8521]

Start doing as much research as you can into sw setups. You can take your time rasing the salinity or you can go as fast as .002 a week. But once you reach full marine you will need a skimmer (which will be pointless at your sg) and live rock aswell as a couple powerheads for water circulation. But you have plenty of time to research and learn up on how to handle a sw setup and make the transition. Thats what i have been doing for months and im just now entering the darkside of SW.

[Myaj]

The biggest problem I see is your filter is way too small. An AC for 70 gallons is the 300gph one, and we recommend 10x per hour turnover rate. So you'd want two of those filters (or that filter and some powerheads, etc) to give the tank more current.

This will be especially important when you get more live rock and higher salinities.. you'll need a lot more current than you have now. Puffers really like a lot of water flow, and you'll need it to prevent "dead spots" in the rock and tank.