First aquarium - cycling - opinion needed?

[Jromaszko]

Hey all.
Iv set up a 10g saltwater tank, cycling it for the last week, atm I'm just ghost feeding, my readings are; Temp- 25.3 / Salinity - 1.026 / PH - 8.0 / NH3 - 2.0 / NO2 - 2.0 / NO3 - 40.0 ( pls see attached photos if I'm reading them correctly from the test that I am using atm.
Got sand and dry life rock from LFS, filtration, and skimmer coming down soon, or tho I believe I don't need it atm?
2 snails are only in the tank so far.
My water is kind of milky atm, but I guess this is normal since the tank is just over a week old and cycling?
Am I on the right track with cycling it?
Should I use the skimmer at this point?
Am I reading the results of the tests correctly?

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions on what to do next?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all.
Iv set up a 10g saltwater tank, cycling it for the last week, atm I'm just ghost feeding, my readings are; Temp- 25.3 / Salinity - 1.026 / PH - 8.0 / NH3 - 2.0 / NO2 - 2.0 / NO3 - 40.0 ( pls see attached photos if I'm reading them correctly from the test that I am using atm.
Got sand and dry life rock from LFS, filtration, and skimmer coming down soon, or tho I believe I don't need it atm?
2 snails are only in the tank so far.
My water is kind of milky atm, but I guess this is normal since the tank is just over a week old and cycling?
Am I on the right track with cycling it?
Should I use the skimmer at this point?
Am I reading the results of the tests correctly?

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions on what to do next?

Don’t worry about no2. These numbers align with typical cycling and you’ll know when your complete when ammonia drops to near zero and remains that way
Adding liquid denitrifying bacteria will address no3 and further drop when livestock is added

 

[Who me?]

Looks like you're reading the results accurately.
Skimmer wont have much to skim at this point, id wait.

Agree with adding some bottled bacteria, will help move the cycle along.

Everything looks good and as expected at 1 week, you have several weeks to go, be patience and use this time to research.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Hey all.
Iv set up a 10g saltwater tank, cycling it for the last week, atm I'm just ghost feeding, my readings are; Temp- 25.3 / Salinity - 1.026 / PH - 8.0 / NH3 - 2.0 / NO2 - 2.0 / NO3 - 40.0 ( pls see attached photos if I'm reading them correctly from the test that I am using atm.
Got sand and dry life rock from LFS, filtration, and skimmer coming down soon, or tho I believe I don't need it atm?
2 snails are only in the tank so far.
My water is kind of milky atm, but I guess this is normal since the tank is just over a week old and cycling?
Am I on the right track with cycling it?
Should I use the skimmer at this point?
Am I reading the results of the tests correctly?

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions on what to do next?

@Jromaszko Nice cube! I believe you are reading the results correctly. The key with these colormetric tests is ensuring your process (means in getting the water, cleaning the test tubes, the light and place of testing, the amount of reagent) remains consistent. This is more important than pinpoint accuracy, especially when you are standing up a new tank.

You want to wait until your NH3 has been eliminated to indicate the nitrogen cycle is working as expected. I also concur that you might wish to add a bacterial starter and do keep your lights low or off for the first two weeks, you won't need them and they will add unwanted algae to your new aquascape and substrate. I mention this if you are using painted reef rock however if you are sure this came from an established tank "meaning live rock" the lower light is fine for now but again not needed.

Start thinking about what corals and what livestock you wish to keep in this tank and consider an island away from the substrate for invasive corals. Congrats on your new tank!

 

[Jromaszko]

Awesome, I'm happy, I know still a long way to go..... uhhhhh I hate waiting
I will add some bacteria and hold on with the skimmer.

Atm, I don't have any lights on, keeping it off, just put the lights on for purpose of taking photos
I will keep testing the water and keep records of it and see how it will go

 

[Jromaszko]

@Jromaszko Nice cube! I believe you are reading the results correctly. The key with these colormetric tests is ensuring your process (means in getting the water, cleaning the test tubes, the light and place of testing, the amount of reagent) remains consistent. This is more important than pinpoint accuracy, especially when you are standing up a new tank.

You want to wait until your NH3 has been eliminated to indicate the nitrogen cycle is working as expected. I also concur that you might wish to add a bacterial starter and do keep your lights low or off for the first two weeks, you won't need them and they will add unwanted algae to your new aquascape and substrate. I mention this if you are using painted reef rock however if you are sure this came from an established tank "meaning live rock" the lower light is fine for now but again not needed.

Start thinking about what corals and what livestock you wish to keep in this tank and consider an island away from the substrate for invasive corals. Congrats on your new tank!

Thank you, tbh with you I'm not 100% sure if this is painted rock or just dry life rock, when I got it from the LFS it was dry in the bucket but they said its life rock, so I guess it was just dry when they got delivery, definitely wasn't from a well-established tank.