Hello angels reefers that love to help

[Weyou]

Let me tell you about the process that was a real hell for me, blaming my self at first, then by this hobby, .so hard to figure. the cycle has done according to salifert test kits ( no2,no4) showing zero
After buying an ATC refractometer, I realized how much suffering it is. Next, i order the tropic marine hydrometer from Germany, That came defective from the manufacturer, by now, expecting the new one, all though it will come in a matter of days, during the cycle process, I didn’t know precisely the salinity of my tank.
Now i order a new maxspect gyre pump wavemaker to my tank, after the cycle complete, that it means three months only my circulation pump was in my tank.
The temperature wasn’t stable; only after 3 or 4 weeks, I buy a jager heater for my tank But not a chiller yet.
Recently this week, I added live sand to the tank. Without wash it
I didn’t manage a diary or whatsoever for my aquarium, and my data is only from what I remember.
Also, I didn’t change my filter sock at all, only wash it with fresh water and put it back in the tank.
I didn’t light up my tank at the begging of the cycle.
And somehow, in a miracle way, I didn’t have algae break out; I use ro/di system.
don’t have any live creature in my tank yet
By knowing i didn’t do enough research, I was lazy reefer, didn’t go by the book; also i get fired during the covid19 from my job, so i lack money right now.
I have an excellent big Deltec skimmer ( tc 1455) and good lighting ( maxspect recurve
after all, a little accident has occurred that lead to my return pump, and my skimmer stop working for a few hours.
?Now and after all, you read, can I save my cycle

 

[Weyou]

wait for your opinion

 

[Weyou]

up

 

[Caseyoidae]

A few hours should not cause a big problem. I think the tank will be fine

 

[Weyou]

What about water change?

 

[Weyou]

Up

 

[Weyou]

?

 

[Weyou]

This hobby can sometimes be frustrating and challenging to understand, but i love him, i am not willing to give up to the event a second.
It is such a rewarding hobby when you're successful, but it isn't easy to face when you are not.
But please, help me be a successful reef keeper by giving me the right advice.
Maybe you thought I'm not starting my reef with rocks, but i did, only a, later on, i add sand. But I was beginning with "real reef rock." I did a beautiful aquascape and started my cycle ( shrimps, bacteria, and added ammonia by me).
Then wait for three months until no2&no4 showed zero.
But my journey was hard by going not by the book as i mentioned the trip was hard and lacking in money and knowledge.
Only now i added one gyre 330 to the tank. Finally, get the tropic Marin hydrometer i order and added live sand.

 

[Weyou]

Up

 

[Weyou]

help needed

 

[DeniseAndy]

It sounds like you are doing fine. What specifically do you want some advise about? It sounds like you ahve your rock and sand and have been cycling the tank. The ammonia and nitrite are 0 with lower nitrates? If that is the case, it sounds like you could try and animal. Maybe some snails or shrimp?
Just make sure the salinity is on point and keep stable parameters. Keep up on water changes and you should be good for a while.
What do you plan on adding to the tank?

 

[Weyou]

My nitrates are at a very high level. But I'm not checking for a long time the nitrate.
planning corals, at the begging, not SPS
I do not fully understand how to cycle; only know from what I read is to put shrimps, bacteria, and wait.
You want me to check now and post results?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Sure. Do not add anymore to cycle and wait until the ammonia reads 0, nitrites read 0. Nitrates should come down to 5-10 and you are ready for livestock. If you have a long time between the end of cycle and adding creatures, you can add some food in just to keep system bacteria healthy.

 

[Weyou]

As i mentioned, my no4&no2 are 0 right now until a long cycle, in the previous no3 test, my nitrate was very high, but this was a long time ago.
So what can i do now? Testing the no3 and see if it between 5-10 I'm ready to stock, but if not, then what?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Sound like you should be ready to stock. First coral, invert or fish. What are you thinking you might want?

 

[Weyou]

My no3 is between 50-100 i belive... Just check now

 

[codycolina707]

My no3 is between 50-100 i belive... Just check now

might wanna do a couple water changes to get that down its pretty high other than that i would say add a couple smaller fish and clean up crew maybe test some easier corals nothing worst than watching a coral you spent good money for die

 

[dbowman5]

Hello. Good luck!

 

[Weyou]

i will do a couple of water change and test again to see if the no3 coming down and then add 1-2 fishes to my tank and clean up crew, and after a while, add some easy to keep corals; am I doing fine, so far?