Keith's Reef

[Keko21]

1 week of cycling
Wish the pH was a touch higher but everyone says dont worry about it during the cycle
That said I also confirmed my API test kit is off- the color spectrum on my ammonia reading is a little aqua-ish. I took a water sample to my office where I have another test kit and it tested accurately within the appropriate color spectrum. API is sending me a new kit- maybe pH will read different.

 

[Keko21]

10 days… ammonia dropping

 

[Garf]

View attachment 2823011
10 days… ammonia dropping

Yep, evidenced by increased nitrite. You can forget the nitrate reading.

 

[Keko21]

A little DIY lid work this evening. Net needs a little tightening in some spots, but in any case it fits snug and nothing is going to get out.

 

[Keko21]

Killing time while I cycle- dosing pump installed nit that ill be using it any time soon, but hey its done and ready for calibration!

 

[Keko21]

Ugh patience is so lame lol

 

[SaJon]

View attachment 2811290

My first ever saltwater tank is now set up! I'm on Day 2 and the sand has finally settled and I'm loving what I'm seeing so far! Day 2 Test parameters:

Specific Gravity: 1.021- added a bit of salt to get up to my goal of 1.025.
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 2.0ppm - added at same time as bacteria yesterday- used Dr. Tim's for both
Nitrates: 0
PH: 7.4
Temp: 74.3- just added the heater this morning

My set up is as follows:
- Red Sea Reefer 350 G2 (72gal DT/18gal sump)
- Red Sea Reef mat 500 Filter roller
- Red Sea Lights 90w x 2
- Red Sea Wave 25 gyre powerhead x1 - between the power on this and the flow I have coming out of my return I think i should be good for LPS and Soft corals.
- Red Sea Coral doser (4pump)
- Red Sea DIY tank lid lid (need to actually DIY it lol)
- Reef Octopus Classic 150 INT skimmer
- Orlushy DC return pump with controller 1320 GPH max (will tone down power to 800gph)
- Magtool Optical sensor ATO
- AQQA 300W heater
- Aquaticlife RO/DI
- 80lbs dry rock- about 50-60 lbs in the DT and the rest in the sump.
- 60lbs live sand- I had 80 but ive got a solid two inch layer with 60.
- Instant Ocean Reef crystals- I plan on using this as my main salt throughout.

Below is my plan for stocking in order of peaceful to semi-aggressive and all reef safe- any help on order in which I should do this would be appreciated or any other comments:

- Diamond Watchman Goby
- Melanaurus Wrasse
- Royal Gamma Basslet
- Chromis- would love a school of like 5
- Black Ice Clown Fish
- Snowflake Clown Fish
- Tang- TBD which kind

Once everything is cycled I'll start with a clean up crew package and the first two fish.

Please follow me as I'll be posting everything step by step!!!

Welcome to the Salty side. Your system is looking good. As for your stocking list if it were me I'd wait about 6 months before adding the Diamond Goby. They do better when the system is aged a bit.

 

[Keko21]

My ammonia is still working it's way down from .5ppm, Nitrites I expected to be high where they are, but is it normal to have off the chart Nitrates at this point before the ammonia is even gone?

 

[SaJon]

My ammonia is still working it's way down from .5ppm, Nitrites I expected to be high where they are, but is it normal to have off the chart Nitrates at this point before the ammonia is even gone?

Yes, The cycle works like this, Ammonia turns to nitrites inturn turns to nitrates. Your cycle will be complete when you have ammonia 0 nitrites 0 and then you can do a minimal water change to help with nitrates some. You don't want 0 nitrates if your going to have corals. They need some nitrates. Patience is key in this hobby. Nothing good happens fast. Just let the cycle do its thing.

 

[Keko21]

Casa QT!

 

[Garf]

My ammonia is still working it's way down from .5ppm, Nitrites I expected to be high where they are, but is it normal to have off the chart Nitrates at this point before the ammonia is even gone?

Yes, high nitrites means the nitrate test is useless as it interferes with the test.

 

[Keko21]

Yes, high nitrites means the nitrate test is useless as it interferes with the test.

Good to know!

Would it hurt to add more bacteria at this point to quicken up the cycle or am I just being impatient?