Got my testing kit!

[Dj City]

If you have API test kit...
You are good. API will serve you just fine for now. You can upgrade test kit's later down the line when you and the tank are ready for corals.

API will get you in the ballpark. It's more than good enough for cycling a tank and keeping a new tank on track.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

That's fine.

Check the current salinity....
Add fresh water
Check new salinity to ensure it is to the correct level it was when you 1st set the tank up. The CORRECT salinity should be 1.024

Says 1.023

 

[AngieLikedThat]

If you have API test kit...
You are good. API will serve you just fine for now. You can upgrade test kit's later down the line when you and the tank are ready for corals.

API will get you in the ballpark. It's more than good enough for cycling a tank and keeping a new tank on track.

I checked the ammonia after I did the prime and it's at 2ppm from 4ppm

 

[Dj City]

Says 1.023

I checked the ammonia after I did the prime and it's at 2ppm from 4ppm

1.023 is close enough. You are good with salinity.

Aquarium saying.... Dilution is the solution for pollution.
The Prime did not lower the ammonia level. The additional water you added did.
Prime just makes it safer for the fish.

2ppm is better but still high. Don't worry about it though cause it's the start of the cycle.
Seachem Prime will help the fish tolerate it.

How long has the tank been set up?
Can you take a new pic of the tank now that you've added water?

 

[AngieLikedThat]

1.023 is close enough. You are good with salinity.

Aquarium saying.... Dilution is the solution for pollution.
The Prime did not lower the ammonia level. The additional water you added did.
Prime just makes it safer for the fish.

2ppm is better but still high. Don't worry about it though cause it's the start of the cycle.
Seachem Prime will help tnr fish tolerate it.

How long has the tank been set up?
Can you take a new pic of the tank now that you've added water?

Yes it's about the same as the other photo it had just evaporated a bit more since then so I added a bit more

 

[AngieLikedThat]

@Dj City 626 is getting his color back!

The bottom one was him yesterday

 

[Eve]

@Dj City 626 is getting his color back!

The bottom one was him yesterday

Have you considered adding at least a piece of live rock? It will help tremendously!

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Have you considered adding at least a piece of live rock? It will help tremendously!

I have initially that was the plan but I wasnt sure how to pick one I'm not entirely sure what a good one looks like. If there's such thing as a good piece of live rock lol. Also, worried about bringing something home I was told it a good possibility

 

[Eve]

I have initially that was the plan but I wasnt sure how to pick one I'm not entirely sure what a good one looks like. If there's such thing as a good piece of live rock lol. Also, worried about bringing something home I was told it a good possibility

You don’t have to add a big one since your tank its not a big tank, but you just have to make sure it is cured. I started my new tank only with base rock, like the ones you have and my tank was not cycling, even adding bacteria in a bottle , but as soon as I started live rock , which I didn’t want because of a bad experience.. my tank started to cycle faster! Totally worth it! Get it from a good LFS. Also, the clownfish is a cutie!

 

[AngieLikedThat]

You don’t have to add a big one since your tank its not a big tank, but you just have to make sure it is cured. I started my new tank only with base rock, like the ones you have and my tank was not cycling, even adding bacteria in a bottle , but as soon as I started live rock , which I didn’t want because of a bad experience.. my tank started to cycle faster! Totally worth it! Get it from a good LFS. Also, the clownfish is a cutie! ❤

Thank you!
Can you explain how I can tell if its cured? Also, explain cured lol

 

[Eve]

Thank you!
Can you explain how I can tell if its cured? Also, explain cured lol

Cured means that the rock has been in an established tank for a long time, so it will be ready to add to your tank right away, it will already have bacteria to help you cycle the tank. Im not really sure how to tell, maybe someone else can answer that, but hopefully the LFS is honest enough to give you a cured one.

 

[bryanfuel]

Most LFS's, if you look under their tanks with fish, you'll find sumps with piles of rock in them in water. Those are the ones you want to buy. They usually aren't cheap ($7/lb) so I would just get a small one for your tank.

Also, if you haven't seen the Bulk Reef Supply videos yet, their 52 weeks of reefing and now 5-min guide videos will be really informative for you.

 

[Dj City]

@Dj City 626 is getting his color back!

The bottom one was him yesterday

Looking good!

The live rock idea is not a bad idea but can be risky.
You never know what comes with live rock. You get good stuff and can get unwanted stuff.

Your rock and sand will be live soon enough now that you have your cycle started.

If you trust your LFS, you can buy a small piece of live rock. You would want to ask them how long the rock has been in their system. The longer the better.
Also, look at the tank the live rock comes from or the tanks the live rock tank is connected to.
Are they very healthy tanks? Clear water and healthy fish and corals?
Make a decision based on those factors.

 

[Dj City]

And Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Looking good!

The live rock idea is not a bad idea but can be risky.
You never know what comes with live rock. You get good stuff and can get unwanted stuff.

Your rock and sand will be live soon enough now that you have your cycle started.

If you trust your LFS, you can buy a small piece of live rock. You would want to ask them how long the rock has been in their system. The longer the better.
Also, look at the tank the live rock comes from or the tanks the live rock tank is connected to.
Are they very healthy tanks? Clear water and healthy fish and corals?
Make a decision based on those factors.

The one I got my clown from had little crabs all over them I didnt know if the crabs were necessary though

 

[AngieLikedThat]

And Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!