20 gallon newby

[Sherrie]

Hello,
I’m another new hobbyist who just made be over my head.
I think my tank (20 gallons) is still cycling. My nitrates and nitrites are still high but everything else is good. I’ve done two water changes at 50%. I don’t have thing in my tank as far as corals, invertebrates or fish yet. I’ll do another 50% water change this Sunday or Monday and check to see if my tank is balanced yet. I have live sand, live rock, macro algae, some sea shells and sea rocks from Mexico in the tank. Equipment is a shark filter, oxygen bubbler, aqueon heater at 74 degrees and a blue/white spectrum light. If it all works, then I plan to get a bigger tank. I don’t want to kill anything and I’ve read enough to be dangerous.

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!

74 degrees is a little on the colder side for a reef tank. Most shoot for about 78 degrees. Once your ammonia and nitrites go away what type of fish are you thinking about getting?

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Sherrie, glad you are here!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[Zach B]

Welcome

 

[jsker]

 

[Jeffcb]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!

 

[blaxsun]

 

[william Lutman]

Welcome

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Wrassenaround]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! I got started in this hobby with a 20 gallon as well! Learned a lot but ended up taking it down and upgrading 2 years in.

 

[MERKEY]

Hello and welcome to R2R!

 

[jtp7004ft]

Welcome

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hello,
I’m another new hobbyist who just made be over my head.
I think my tank (20 gallons) is still cycling. My nitrates and nitrites are still high but everything else is good. I’ve done two water changes at 50%. I don’t have thing in my tank as far as corals, invertebrates or fish yet. I’ll do another 50% water change this Sunday or Monday and check to see if my tank is balanced yet. I have live sand, live rock, macro algae, some sea shells and sea rocks from Mexico in the tank. Equipment is a shark filter, oxygen bubbler, aqueon heater at 74 degrees and a blue/white spectrum light. If it all works, then I plan to get a bigger tank. I don’t want to kill anything and I’ve read enough to be dangerous.

Hi Sherrie and Welcome! I'm Lisa. Glad you joined. Curious what you are using for ammonia source because typically when you have nitrates your nitrites are coming down. Back in the day we used to pee in our tanks, so anything is possible (giggle)

Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This might help you find people local to you:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[KrisReef]

Hello,
I’m another new hobbyist who just made be over my head.
I think my tank (20 gallons) is still cycling. My nitrates and nitrites are still high but everything else is good. I’ve done two water changes at 50%. I don’t have thing in my tank as far as corals, invertebrates or fish yet. I’ll do another 50% water change this Sunday or Monday and check to see if my tank is balanced yet. I have live sand, live rock, macro algae, some sea shells and sea rocks from Mexico in the tank. Equipment is a shark filter, oxygen bubbler, aqueon heater at 74 degrees and a blue/white spectrum light. If it all works, then I plan to get a bigger tank. I don’t want to kill anything and I’ve read enough to be dangerous.

If you started with live sand and rock the tank should be good to go quickly, unless you got the really old school live rock with tones of living stuff that died during shipment and you didnt scrape off the old layer of dead stuff before you dropped it in your tank.

Are you using API test kits? If yes, the take a picture of your tank and post it here and let @brandon429 chime in on this situation.

All that aside,
Welcome to Reef2Reef!

We are so glad you have finally joined us!

 

[Adolfo]

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!!

 

[Sean Clark]

Welcome to the party.