Getting started

[charles5261]

Im working on keeping the temp under 80. Kind hard one day running the heat one day running the ac. But today tested the water and have low levels of ammonia in the tank. How long should i run it before the first water change

 

[charles5261]

Your tank is too warm. Generally speaking 78 degrees is considered the sweet spot for fish, corals and inverts.

Temp still not steady maybe need bigger one or just move mine to the middle. Added water today to top off and bring salt level down. Tested water have small amount of ammonia. No nitrates yet in the tank. Here is pictures from the test.

 

[Jesterrace]

I see two other problems there. You are using a Hydrometer and not a refractometer. Hydrometers are notoriously inaccurate for measuring salinity. Also API is okay for cycling but after you should switch to Red Sea, Salifert, etc. Nitrate test with API is horribly inaccurate and you need to be able to clearly tell the difference between say 2,5,10 and 20.

 

[Jesterrace]

Im working on keeping the temp under 80. Kind hard one day running the heat one day running the ac. But today tested the water and have low levels of ammonia in the tank. How long should i run it before the first water change

DO NOT change the water until the Ammonia and Nitrites are gone and let the nitrates settle down a bit as well. I have had my cycle restart with a water change before.