Here we go!

[jramy123]

So painted it while waiting for Rodi water to finish. Had to recap cause couldn't get it back to where it was lol. But ur right I love the back black. Sand ready and saltwater mixing tonight .should be able to to fill tomorrow if salinity is good

 

[Reedys Reef]

I'm tuned in!!

 

[Roy 9121]

And also, the tank I have now (biocube) came with a black background but the 75g I had before I just painted the back with a small roller and exterior water resistant paint and it held up fine

Can i paint my tank back after it it's up and running? It wont hurt the live stock? I'm guessing i shouldn't use spray paint for it

 

[Reedys Reef]

I painted mine, the contrast between corals and black makes the corals pop. Make sure you keep the coraline algae off. Also, make sure there's enough room between rock structure and back glass to clean it. IMO

 

[GatorScott]

Can i paint my tank back after it it's up and running? It wont hurt the live stock? I'm guessing i shouldn't use spray paint for it

I don't see why not. Just going to be a pain in the butt. (Obviously don't get any paint in the water lol)

 

[GatorScott]

So painted it while waiting for Rodi water to finish. Had to recap cause couldn't get it back to where it was lol. But ur right I love the back black. Sand ready and saltwater mixing tonight .should be able to to fill tomorrow if salinity is good

Looks sooooooo much better!!

 

[jramy123]

currently mixing saltwater. i got 2 big 32g trash cans and used rodi water to fill. any idea how much salt to add to get to 1.026? i put like 10 cups in last night and its still super low. i added more just now so gonna give a few hours to mix again and retest. really wanting to do sand and water today lol

 

[Reedys Reef]

I use Red Sea coral pro. For 10 gallons it takes four cups. May have to add slightly more salt to fine tune salinity but that's how I mix.

 

[jramy123]

thats about what i got. one tub was a bit higher but other was a bit low so figure they will even out. Sand and water in, rock up, heaters up and running and i ghost fed today till i go get some shrimp. also got my maxspec gyre stirring it up inside! i read about 88-95 for the cycle temp, is this true? i know its not that high once i add fish.

 

[jramy123]

Here we go! First not super cloudy pic. It's still bit hazy but biospira said no skimmer for 2 days so I hope it clears up when plug in the skimmer tomorrow. Are those the type of shrimp everyone talks about lol? As for testing for ammonia do I do it every day or a week? Also I've read I want it to be 3 ppm can anyone confirm that?

 

[PJS]

Just a little look at the scape. gonna add sand next and water salt tonight

How exciting, have fun!

 

[ndrwater]

Here we go! First not super cloudy pic. It's still bit hazy but biospira said no skimmer for 2 days so I hope it clears up when plug in the skimmer tomorrow. Are those the type of shrimp everyone talks about lol? As for testing for ammonia do I do it every day or a week? Also I've read I want it to be 3 ppm can anyone confirm that?

You are going to wait until Ammonia and Nitrite are both zero. You may hit 3ppm ammonia, you may hit 5.. whatever the number is it is. Just make sure that both ammonia and Nitrite are zero before adding inhabitants.

 

[stumpy277]

Looks awesome!

 

[jramy123]

so do i need to keep adding shrimp if they deteriorate into nothing and still not getting ammonia? its only been day and half so maybe i need to wait more, just curious. did a test today seem ammonia is going up but so is nitrite. i thought the ammonia would rise first then nitrite. can they happen at the same time? im at about .25ppm of both right now

 

[40B Knasty]

So painted it while waiting for Rodi water to finish. Had to recap cause couldn't get it back to where it was lol. But ur right I love the back black. Sand ready and saltwater mixing tonight .should be able to to fill tomorrow if salinity is good

Nice aqua scape. Nice choice to paint. Looks great! Enjoy your tank.

 

[ndrwater]

so do i need to keep adding shrimp if they deteriorate into nothing and still not getting ammonia? its only been day and half so maybe i need to wait more, just curious. did a test today seem ammonia is going up but so is nitrite. i thought the ammonia would rise first then nitrite. can they happen at the same time? im at about .25ppm of both right now

Depends.. being only a day and a half I would hold tight. And yes, Ammonia and Nitrite can both go up at the same time. Thank the bacteria culture you added earlier. Both going up means 2 things. A. the shrimp is doing it's job by adding ammonia, and B. the bacteria are doing their job by breaking ammonia into Nitrite. Soon you will start seeing Nitrate which is also a good thing.
You are off to a tremendous start, but remember the very old adage in reefing...

"Nothing good happens fast"

This is the point where you get to window shop at your LFS, ask questions, and... Unfortunately, wait...
You'll get there...

 

[jramy123]

oh no im good waiting lol. just wanting to make sure im doing it right. the thought on the bio spira was what i was hoping for actually. I assumed if that added bacteria and the live sand had some as well, then if any ammonia is good. i think ill hold off a few days and test again. I hope i dont seem impatient, it is just exciting to learn new stuff lol! its like a science experiment. is testing once a week a good plan? it seems to be what i read and watch online? thanx for all ur help btw ndrwater

 

[ndrwater]

Very glad to help!!

Now.. test as often as you like. Testing more often with give you a very accurate barometer on the progression of your cycle.
Or...

Wait a couple of weeks and re-test. Chances are within a couple of weeks you'll be ready to go..

 

[jramy123]

Is it normal to get all 3 showing on a water test? Nitrate/ite and ammonia? Just curious cause I'm show about 1ppm of ammonia and trite. But if I'm reading colot code about 10ppm nitrate.

 

[WWIII]

Tank looks really nice! Congrats on the new setup! Yeah I'd say that's normal to get readings on all 3 at first. Don't really need to bother testing nitrate until ammonia and nitrite are 0. The nitrite in the system will throw off the nitrate reading.