2nd week cycle progression

[Caloy_G7]

Hey all, its I've been busy all week from work and just got back from my travels. I figure I can post my cycling progression so far. I am on my 2nd week. Although its coming along great, this is where the time I decided to pause my saltwater journey a couple of years ago.

Now that Im back at it again and planning to continue, so here's my progress so far. Please not that I have been checking my parameters every other day/every 3 days.

First Check.. 2 days after I added my saltwater. I am aware API is not the most accurate but thats all I got for the time being. (21 Sep)

2nd check 25 Sep, I figure to check all 3, I dunno why maybe I made sure to follow directions properly.

3rd check 28 Sep

I just came back today from my travel (work) and did my checks including my salt water its at 35ppm, temp is at 78 deg (using ink bird).

A few questions:
1. After cycling can I clean my tank?
2. Do I do water change? If so how much?
3. Can I go ahead and add 2 clown fish if the cycle is done this weekend? or do I still need to wait it out?
4. Plan is to have 6 fishes altogether max and add corals mainly zoas and hammers. Planning to add more variety once my tank matures.

 

[Idech]

Cycle is going well and almost done. When it’s done, you should do WC to get nitrates to a respectable level, around 5-10 ppm.

There is nothing to clean and I would leave everything alone besides the WC. A few days after cycle is done, you can add 1 or 2 small fish. You want to add the most aggressive last so ideally not the clowns to start with. But lots of people do and it’s okay as long as they are juvenile and you don’t wait many months before adding other fish (by then they might be territorial and harrass and even kill new additions)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would read that as confirmation the tank is cycled. If you wait for ammonia and nitrite to show zero you could wait months. That looks like a healthy level of nitrates. I would do a small water change and add the 2 clowns. Good luck.

 

[GARRIGA]

Post cycle these days I carbon dose vs a massive WC. Might need to add some phosphates. Beats making new water and tossing perfectly good water. Plus without fish can overdose and get it solved quick. No chance of depriving oxygen or worried bacterial cloud causes problems. Dropped 160 ppm plus down to 5 or less in a few days.

 

[Caloy_G7]

Cycle is going well and almost done. When it’s done, you should do WC to get nitrates to a respectable level, around 5-10 ppm.

There is nothing to clean and I would leave everything alone besides the WC. A few days after cycle is done, you can add 1 or 2 small fish. You want to add the most aggressive last so ideally not the clowns to start with. But lots of people do and it’s okay as long as they are juvenile and you don’t wait many months before adding other fish (by then they might be territorial and harrass and even kill new additions)

I meant clean the glass, lots of residue in it

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I meant clean the glass, lots of residue in it

thats part of the hobby lol. We are fish keepers coral keepers and glass cleaners.

 

[jmcdona6]

thats part of the hobby lol. We are fish keepers coral keepers and glass cleaners.

I think even that might be an exaggeration. Fish and coral keeping is like 10% or less of the hobby if you do it right.

90% you are a keeper of water and glass. Only a short rung above this guy.