So I'm cycling a Saltwater Aquarium (first time Saltwater) and it's been a few years since having a freshwater aquarium so I'm a bit rusty on the details.
I added Dr Tim's Ammonia to get the Ammonia kickstarted yesterday (August 11) and put a bit less than recommended because of reading some people saying recommended ended up being way too high (I needed 180 drops and put 140 instead).
I didn't put the Nitrifying bacteria in right away but waited about 12 hours (no reason, was just not feeling great and didn't have it in me to do anything else last night lol).
I tested my pH and Ammonia this morning (August 12) and my pH is sitting at about 7.8 and my Ammonia I'm guessing is 3.0 (I say guessing cause it's darker than 2.0 but lighter than 4.0 on the chart).
I thought I recalled hearing people say you want the ammonia to be between 2.0 and 5.0 max when adding the nitrifying bacteria, so I went ahead and added what the bottle (Brightwell MicroBacter Start XLM) recommended which was 6 caps per 25 gallons (I have a 55 Gallon so I added a bit more than 12 caps, about 15 or 16 caps).
So my question(s) are:
1. Is that a good range for the Ammonia to be in to then add the Nitrifying Bacteria (maybe I should have asked prior to adding it aha)?
2. Is my pH good (I heard you want it between 8.0 and 8.4 for saltwater, is that right?)? And if it needs to be higher, how do I increase it? And if lower, how do you lower it (water change?)?
3. Dr Tim's Ammonia Instructions seem confusing and seem to suggest adding MORE ammonia in a couple days? Is that right? Or from here on what exactly would I need to do to finish this cycle?
Worth noting: I have 2 Sicce pumps running for flow plus a heater set to about 77-78 (had to calibrate the heater this morning cause it was running at like 81 last night); I have my HOB Filter OFF (when should I turn it on?); I currently do NOT own a skimmer but heard I don't need one when setting up a Saltwater for the first few months?; About 1.5 inch of Arragonite for my substrate + 20lbs of Dry Rock that has a bit of red stuff on it (I think LFS website says that's some bacteria?) and about 8lbs of Purple "LifeRock".
Thanks in advance for any help!
I added Dr Tim's Ammonia to get the Ammonia kickstarted yesterday (August 11) and put a bit less than recommended because of reading some people saying recommended ended up being way too high (I needed 180 drops and put 140 instead).
I didn't put the Nitrifying bacteria in right away but waited about 12 hours (no reason, was just not feeling great and didn't have it in me to do anything else last night lol).
I tested my pH and Ammonia this morning (August 12) and my pH is sitting at about 7.8 and my Ammonia I'm guessing is 3.0 (I say guessing cause it's darker than 2.0 but lighter than 4.0 on the chart).
I thought I recalled hearing people say you want the ammonia to be between 2.0 and 5.0 max when adding the nitrifying bacteria, so I went ahead and added what the bottle (Brightwell MicroBacter Start XLM) recommended which was 6 caps per 25 gallons (I have a 55 Gallon so I added a bit more than 12 caps, about 15 or 16 caps).
So my question(s) are:
1. Is that a good range for the Ammonia to be in to then add the Nitrifying Bacteria (maybe I should have asked prior to adding it aha)?
2. Is my pH good (I heard you want it between 8.0 and 8.4 for saltwater, is that right?)? And if it needs to be higher, how do I increase it? And if lower, how do you lower it (water change?)?
3. Dr Tim's Ammonia Instructions seem confusing and seem to suggest adding MORE ammonia in a couple days? Is that right? Or from here on what exactly would I need to do to finish this cycle?
Worth noting: I have 2 Sicce pumps running for flow plus a heater set to about 77-78 (had to calibrate the heater this morning cause it was running at like 81 last night); I have my HOB Filter OFF (when should I turn it on?); I currently do NOT own a skimmer but heard I don't need one when setting up a Saltwater for the first few months?; About 1.5 inch of Arragonite for my substrate + 20lbs of Dry Rock that has a bit of red stuff on it (I think LFS website says that's some bacteria?) and about 8lbs of Purple "LifeRock".
Thanks in advance for any help!