Cycling Tank

[Tateopotatoe]

Hi! I'm a little new here. I'm starting to cycle my first saltwater, a ten gallon nano. I'm REALLY EXITED to get stuff in it, but I still have to wait. Here are some pictures of it (the fake plants are in the tank just for now).

 

[brandon429]

welcome! its rare to run a reef tank with a bubbler, but I do

simple setups are fun, challenge the rules, and still work anyway.

 

[Tateopotatoe]

welcome! its rare to run a reef tank with a bubbler, but I do

simple setups are fun, challenge the rules, and still work anyway.

The bubbler was mostly just to create some water movement- once I get anything I'll probably take it out [emoji225] [emoji225]

 

[JPSika08]

Powerheads are always the best of course so you can provide water movement and gas exchange.

Good luck with your cycling, be sure no to go over 4ppm of ammonia from the beginning. I messed up with my tank like this (10ppm or more of ammonia at the beginning) and so far, 90 days and the thing keeps cycling

 

[Tateopotatoe]

Oh, I didn't know that was a problem. The bad thing is that my test kit hasn't come in the mail yet I'll take the algae wafer I used to start it out now and hope for the best-worst scenario I have to buy some bio-spira or some live rock (I used dry hoping to avoid hitchhikers).

 

[JPSika08]

In my case I used dried rock as well, it's a little slower at first but as you say, you will avoid unwanted hitchhikers.

Good luck and hope you cycle it soon

 

[Tateopotatoe]

I just got the kit! I came in the mail really recently, and I've finished testing! Here are the stats:
pH: 8.1
Ammonia: 0.75 ppm
Nitrite: 0.05 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

 

[Tateopotatoe]

Another note, I just tested salinity for the first time in a few days. I thought I could just top it off to a specific line with freshwater but NOT AT ALL!!! The salinity shot through the roof!!!

 

[Tateopotatoe]

Any tips?

 

[Robink]

You can always do a water change or just top off with RO/DI until it's at the right sg

 

[JPSika08]

What are you using to test salinity?

 

[Tateopotatoe]

A hydrometer

 

[JPSika08]

What kit did you got to measure those stats?

 

[JPSika08]

A hydrometer

Throw it out the window and get a refractometer.

Hydrometers are very inaccurate.

 

[JPSika08]

This is a good brand, many reefers use it:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_D...ctometer-Marine_Depot-MD2101-FITEOPRF-vi.html

 

[Tateopotatoe]

I feel like you'll tell me to throw my api test kit out the window, too

 

[JPSika08]

I feel like you'll tell me to throw my api test kit out the window, too

On the contrary, that's a great test kit, sorry, didn't mean to sound like a snob with my previous post

 

[Tateopotatoe]

I've just found out that some can be inaccurate, it wasn't your tone

 

[JPSika08]

How long has the tank been cycling?

 

[JPSika08]

It seems your tank is doing what's it supposed to be doing.

Here is a nice guide to fishless cycling,
http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling