Whats next? IM 30l

[Shad Quill]

Hi all. So I’m at a point with my new set up that I think I should go farther. My question is… what’s next?

An over view of the aquarium:
I set it up about 12 weeks ago. 95% of it second hand including the sand and rock.
I filled it with Ro/Di water and mixed with coral pro.
During cycling process I ran the lights very low, around 10%, skimmer and mp10. I’m using two media baskets in the back filled with maxspect bio spheres, one carbon bag in one of the baskets and both are topped with bonded blue and white filter pad. I fed the empty tank with brine shrimp and began testing for ammonia. Once it showed nitrites they shot up and hung there for about 17 days till I saw any sign of nitrate. Once nitrate was present it stayed stalled and couldn’t get the nitrite to come down for another 2 weeks.
The rock and substrate I used was Florida dead dry rock that I was told had been used in a reef more than 20 years ago. Could this be the reason for the long cycling process? Is it possible that the rock is going to continue to leech out nutrients?
As of today it is testing:
Sal 1.026
Ph 8.2
Temp 77.9
Nitrate 8.7
Phos .16

I have a decent CUC, fire shrimp, 2 clowns, a scooter blenny and a Duncan coral (That looks fantastic!) and has been in the tank for a couple weeks. Should I add maybe another coral like a hammer or frogspawn and then see if my Nitrate/phosphate ratio looks a bit better? Or should I start addressing it manually with gfo or something similar. I just don’t want to start throwing things at it so early as a band aid.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Shad Quill]

Hi all. So I’m at a point with my new set up that I think I should go farther. My question is… what’s next?

An over view of the aquarium:
I set it up about 12 weeks ago. 95% of it second hand including the sand and rock.
I filled it with Ro/Di water and mixed with coral pro.
During cycling process I ran the lights very low, around 10%, skimmer and mp10. I’m using two media baskets in the back filled with maxspect bio spheres, one carbon bag in one of the baskets and both are topped with bonded blue and white filter pad. I fed the empty tank with brine shrimp and began testing for ammonia. Once it showed nitrites they shot up and hung there for about 17 days till I saw any sign of nitrate. Once nitrate was present it stayed stalled and couldn’t get the nitrite to come down for another 2 weeks.
The rock and substrate I used was Florida dead dry rock that I was told had been used in a reef more than 20 years ago. Could this be the reason for the long cycling process? Is it possible that the rock is going to continue to leech out nutrients?
As of today it is testing:
Sal 1.026
Ph 8.2
Temp 77.9
Nitrate 8.7
Phos .16

I have a decent CUC, fire shrimp, 2 clowns, a scooter blenny and a Duncan coral (That looks fantastic!) and has been in the tank for a couple weeks. Should I add maybe another coral like a hammer or frogspawn and then see if my Nitrate/phosphate ratio looks a bit better? Or should I start addressing it manually with gfo or something similar. I just don’t want to start throwing things at it so early as a band aid.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I forgot to mention I started using microbacter 7 when the nitrite nitrate hang up happened. And have continued using it since.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If you have fish and inverts, then the tank is cycled.

The nitrate and phosphate level looks fine to me.

It seems like you’ve got it all under control. What is your concern? Sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[Shad Quill]

I guess I just spend too much time reading about ideal chemistry and over think it. The one physical thing is that the rocks have a green algae, not hair, and it doesn’t rub free. I don’t want to add corals and have it creep up them. Thought maybe it was the start of coral one but I’m not sure

 

[Reef Wizard]

Hi all. So I’m at a point with my new set up that I think I should go farther. My question is… what’s next?

An over view of the aquarium:
I set it up about 12 weeks ago. 95% of it second hand including the sand and rock.
I filled it with Ro/Di water and mixed with coral pro.
During cycling process I ran the lights very low, around 10%, skimmer and mp10. I’m using two media baskets in the back filled with maxspect bio spheres, one carbon bag in one of the baskets and both are topped with bonded blue and white filter pad. I fed the empty tank with brine shrimp and began testing for ammonia. Once it showed nitrites they shot up and hung there for about 17 days till I saw any sign of nitrate. Once nitrate was present it stayed stalled and couldn’t get the nitrite to come down for another 2 weeks.
The rock and substrate I used was Florida dead dry rock that I was told had been used in a reef more than 20 years ago. Could this be the reason for the long cycling process? Is it possible that the rock is going to continue to leech out nutrients?
As of today it is testing:
Sal 1.026
Ph 8.2
Temp 77.9
Nitrate 8.7
Phos .16

I have a decent CUC, fire shrimp, 2 clowns, a scooter blenny and a Duncan coral (That looks fantastic!) and has been in the tank for a couple weeks. Should I add maybe another coral like a hammer or frogspawn and then see if my Nitrate/phosphate ratio looks a bit better? Or should I start addressing it manually with gfo or something similar. I just don’t want to start throwing things at it so early as a band aid.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I would just let it ride. Looks like you are doing great so far.

If your concern is nitrite its not toxic to Saltwater like fresh is. as long is ammonia is very low to 0 you are good

The green algae is likely film algae on the rocks. Get some Astrae snails for that

Have you had any green hair algae at all yet?

 

[Shad Quill]

Here’s a couple pictures. I put the one with lights off because it shows better. I have had a couple very small tufts of hair algae in the sand bed a couple weeks ago but sucked up and out during a water change.

 

[Reef Wizard]

Here’s a couple pictures. I put the one with lights off because it shows better. I have had a couple very small tufts of hair algae in the sand bed a couple weeks ago but sucked up and out during a water change.

Looking good to me

Just try to not get ahead of yourself once the GHA hits add more snails and stuff

You are well on your way

 

[Shad Quill]

It’s weird because both of those pictures were taken same day this week. You can barely see it with the lights on

 

[Shad Quill]

So would it be out of line to put a few Zoas and a hammer,torch or frogspawn. Or would it be a better idea to give more time?

 

[Reef Wizard]

So would it be out of line to put a few Zoas and a hammer,torch or frogspawn. Or would it be a better idea to give more time?

I would not rush into anything.

tank is only roughly 3 months old.

If you need to scratch an itch Maybe some zoas I wouldnt get any euphyllia just yet