Cycling my first tank.

[ChkDFk]

So I have been doing tons of reading but still have a few questions. These are my test results after 1 week.

Did not test the first couple days, never saw any spike in ammonia. Ph is perfect, salinity has been perfect and weather temp has been 77.9. What should I expect now???

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[ChkDFk]

Also should I have my lights off it on???


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[skinz78]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

The most important thing to remember when it comes to reefkeeping, only bad things happen quickly. Just take your time with things.

I would wait one week and then test again. It's OK to leave your lights on. You will see everything turn brown "diatom bloom", that's perfectly normal.

 

[ChkDFk]

Thanks for the quick response. I have to run to the LFS to return a few things, should I get a few small live rocks for seeding? I used Fiji rock from BRS


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[skinz78]

I personally don't think you need live rock. Just put a little fish food or a raw uncooked shrimp in there and the bacteria will begin to build. That's all you really need.

 

[Rikerbear]

You wrote "weather temp is 77.9", did you mean your tank temp is 77.9? You are running a heater in your tank correct?

 

[ChkDFk]

Yes and yes


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[ChkDFk]

Should I run the lights or leave them off to keep algae down?


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[skinz78]

I say run them.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I used the same rock. After 8 months they are covered with pink coralline algae without seeding. I ran my lights 8 hours a day since the beginning.

 

[mike007]

I agree with posts. You just have to be patient and nature will take care of the rest. Do not add any fish or corals untill that nitrite comes down. You should also take a sample to your lfs and compare test results.

 

[justgotwet]

Great looking rock scape!

 

[ChkDFk]

Thanks everyone! I look forward to this hopefully new lifelong hobby


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