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buzz579
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I'm at 0 ammonia. Been at that stage for about a week now. Was advised to put a drop of ammonia chloride in after I registered 0 and after 24 hours was back at 0 again. Wondering wether doing that has knocked my Nitrites reading back.
When I do a nitrite test it immediately goes to dark red/purple which says reading is at 1 on nitrites. Not sure if it's higher but that's the highest reading you can get on the red sea test kit.
Been told by a few friends not not add anything until both Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0???
I have been given a very small piece of live rock from a friend which I have put in the rear sump to try help it along. I know there is a risk of hitchhikers but I'm not running a Quarantine tank so inevitably going to get things in there I don't want anyway!
When I do a nitrite test it immediately goes to dark red/purple which says reading is at 1 on nitrites. Not sure if it's higher but that's the highest reading you can get on the red sea test kit.
Been told by a few friends not not add anything until both Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0???
I have been given a very small piece of live rock from a friend which I have put in the rear sump to try help it along. I know there is a risk of hitchhikers but I'm not running a Quarantine tank so inevitably going to get things in there I don't want anyway!
7of9
Resistance is Futile.
Ahhh...then your nitrates might be too high.
I think the prevailing wisdom now is that you're good to add hardy things like a zoanthid or clowns or damsels as long as your ammonia is zero, even if your nitrates are still shaking themselves out. That is what I followed, but I do remember when I had my last tank 15 years ago, people were a lot more concerned about nitrites and nitrates.
Your mileage may vary.
Good looking setup, though!
I think the prevailing wisdom now is that you're good to add hardy things like a zoanthid or clowns or damsels as long as your ammonia is zero, even if your nitrates are still shaking themselves out. That is what I followed, but I do remember when I had my last tank 15 years ago, people were a lot more concerned about nitrites and nitrates.
Your mileage may vary.
Good looking setup, though!
OP
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buzz579
Community Member
Welcome to our little piece of the reef.
are you adding any bacteria?
Welcome!!!
are you adding any bacteria?
Welcome!!!
OP
OP
buzz579
Community Member
I started it off with Dr Timms One and Only plus ammonia chloride drops.Welcome to our little piece of the reef.
are you adding any bacteria?
Welcome!!!
I have since added a small amount of live rock from a friend's tank which has been established for several years so was hoping that would help it on its way.
I don't have a QT so was going to get hitchhikers in there at some point anyway
7of9
Resistance is Futile.
I’d add fish and then add CUC as you need them. You want them to have something to eat. I’d also look at cheaper easy corals. A zoanthid or mushroom. How that coral does will help you see how the tank will handle others.
The key is just to pace yourself with new additions so your tank has time to adjust before you add another.
Enjoy!!!
I would recommend that you get a bottle of Microbacter 7. Even with an established live rock, It may not be enough. Try that for about a week. It should help bump things along.
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
Best of luck with the tank!3 weeks into cycling. Still registering high nitrites (red sea test kit) Waiting for it to drop to add some livestock.... patience is wearing thin!!
OP
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buzz579
Community Member
So.... With your advice I have bit the bullet and gone to the LFS!!! I have just put another small bottle of Dr Timms in whilst my first fish is acclimating with a drip in a bucket!
LFS shop were happy with my water readings so we're happy for me to put first fish in!!!
I have gone for a small strawberry pygmy basslet, a sand sifting snail and a turbo snail to get started off.
Pictures to follow when they are settled in the tank!
LFS shop were happy with my water readings so we're happy for me to put first fish in!!!
I have gone for a small strawberry pygmy basslet, a sand sifting snail and a turbo snail to get started off.
Pictures to follow when they are settled in the tank!
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buzz579
Community Member
So... Not the best pics but here they are...
The basslet has been acclimated and seems to have settled in well. He/she is very shy at the moment and has found hiding spots under the rockscape.
I think it's the sand sifting snail which has been moving round very slowly is pictured.
The turbo snail immediately buried himself under the sand and has not been seen since
The basslet has been acclimated and seems to have settled in well. He/she is very shy at the moment and has found hiding spots under the rockscape.
I think it's the sand sifting snail which has been moving round very slowly is pictured.
The turbo snail immediately buried himself under the sand and has not been seen since
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buzz579
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So.... Nearly a week into putting my new additions into the tank and was told by my LFS that I should expect to see an ammonia spike..... I haven't..... It's been reading 0 ammonia all week.
However, my Nitrites are still quite high. Not seen them drop below 1.
All other parameters seem to be fine and the fish/CUC are doing good. No signs of distress, feeding well and the water is still crystal clear.
Any ideas on what is going on or is it just a time thing to allow the nitrites to drop?
I don't know if a water change is needed yet? (I did a couple of water changes a few weeks back and was told to stop as I was doing them too early with no livestock in the tank!)
Any help appreciated
However, my Nitrites are still quite high. Not seen them drop below 1.
All other parameters seem to be fine and the fish/CUC are doing good. No signs of distress, feeding well and the water is still crystal clear.
Any ideas on what is going on or is it just a time thing to allow the nitrites to drop?
I don't know if a water change is needed yet? (I did a couple of water changes a few weeks back and was told to stop as I was doing them too early with no livestock in the tank!)
Any help appreciated
OP
OP
buzz579
Community Member
So this week I have added some more members of CUC.
I got a cleaner shrimp (Scarlett shrimp I think) and some more sand sifting snails.
Fish and CUC all seem to be doing really well. I seem to have got the feeding right as started off feeding a bit too much and had loads of mysis shrimp floating around the tank! Have reduced this to a smaller amount that the occupants are able to cope with.
Have also done a 10% water change a few days back and have also now started up the skimmer (which took a bit of dialling in!!!)
All seems to be going well so far... Planning on adding a couple of common clowns next week (kids on half term so they are going to come with me to LFS to pick some!)
I have a bag of Red Sea activated carbon which I didn't put in the sump when cycling. When is the time to add this? Water is crystal clear at the moment so didn't know if I should put it in yet.
I got a cleaner shrimp (Scarlett shrimp I think) and some more sand sifting snails.
Fish and CUC all seem to be doing really well. I seem to have got the feeding right as started off feeding a bit too much and had loads of mysis shrimp floating around the tank! Have reduced this to a smaller amount that the occupants are able to cope with.
Have also done a 10% water change a few days back and have also now started up the skimmer (which took a bit of dialling in!!!)
All seems to be going well so far... Planning on adding a couple of common clowns next week (kids on half term so they are going to come with me to LFS to pick some!)
I have a bag of Red Sea activated carbon which I didn't put in the sump when cycling. When is the time to add this? Water is crystal clear at the moment so didn't know if I should put it in yet.
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