Is this cycle going ok?

[Troylee]

Oh wow fish already.
I didn’t realise that quick.

what parameters should I look at if I take water to the lfs

For now just ammonia, nitrite and nitrate… when you start adding corals you’ll need to check phosphate, nitrate, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium..

 

[deepsynth]

Oh

If ordering test kits start with nitrate, phosphate and alkalinity. That will get you through the next 4 or 5 months. Add in calcium, magnesium and Ph when you start getting serious about coral or get LPS or SPS.

so actually buy individual kits not an all in one

 

[Jekyl]

Yeah they do test. But most of the guys are just kids doing retail work so they don’t know much

Close is good enough

 

[Jekyl]

Oh

so actually buy individual kits not an all in one

Only ones that come in a kit or bundle are unreliable. Stick to salifert, red sea or hanna

 

[Troylee]

What are you using for filtration on this tank? Is there a sump with a skimmer or anything? I don’t even see power heads for water movement..

 

[deepsynth]

What are you using for filtration on this tank? Is there a sump with a skimmer or anything? I don’t even see power heads for water movement..

I’m using a canister filter pretty much that’s it. I was going to build up slowly instead of buying cheap products

 

[Jekyl]

I’m using a canister filter pretty much that’s it. I was going to build up slowly instead of buying cheap products

Need circulation in the tank. 2 WaveMakers on either end works best. 1/3 of the way down pointed at each other and slightly upwards. Turn them up until it starts effecting your sand, then turn down a notch is a good place to start.

 

[Troylee]

I’m using a canister filter pretty much that’s it. I was going to build up slowly instead of buying cheap products

Are just doing fish or plan on adding corals in the future?

 

[deepsynth]

Need circulation in the tank. 2 WaveMakers on either end works best. 1/3 of the way down pointed at each other and slightly upwards. Turn them up until it starts effecting your sand, then turn down a notch is a good place to start.

I do have a water pump that I have connected to a wifi timer that I can switch on off for flow. It’s a bit amateur I know

 

[deepsynth]

Are just doing fish or plan on adding corals in the future?

I was going to start with fish and only look at corals when the tank is mature. Like a year from now

 

[Jekyl]

I do have a water pump that I have connected to a wifi timer that I can switch on off for flow. It’s a bit amateur I know

Flow needs to be constant, not on a timer. Check into jebao pumps. Cheap and reliable with various settings.

 

[deepsynth]

Flow needs to be constant, not on a timer. Check into jebao pumps. Cheap and reliable with various settings.

Oh seriously that’s news to me. I thought it was like a pulse kind of thing.
So those cheeped sebo wave makers are cool?

 

[Jekyl]

Oh seriously that’s news to me. I thought it was like a pulse kind of thing.
So those cheeped sebo wave makers are cool?

I've had the same jebao wavemakers for close to 5 years. Still work great and I barely clean them.

 

[Jekyl]

Oh seriously that’s news to me. I thought it was like a pulse kind of thing.
So those cheeped sebo wave makers are cool?

The ocean never shuts off. Always a current. Depending on the coral you end up keeping will dictate how much you need. For now, there shouldn't be any area of the tank that's a dead zone. Every area should have "some" flow.

 

[deepsynth]

I've had the same jebao wavemakers for close to 5 years. Still work great and I barely clean them.

I was talking about these

SOBO Wave Maker Pumps

Buy SOBO Wave Maker Pumps at Jungle Aquatics! - SOBO Wave Maker PumpsExperience a revolution in aquarium wave-making with the SOBO Wave Maker Pumps. Our pumps are designed with patented controlled reversal technology that fully addresses the typical problem of water absorption from the wave pump...

jungleaquatics.com

 

[deepsynth]

The ocean never shuts off. Always a current. Depending on the coral you end up keeping will dictate how much you need. For now, there shouldn't be any area of the tank that's a dead zone. Every area should have "some" flow.

So you say that they must aim at each other

 

[Jekyl]

So you say that they must aim at each other

Creates random flow and turbulence. Helps eliminate dead spots and provides surface agitation.

 

[Jekyl]

I was talking about these

SOBO Wave Maker Pumps

Buy SOBO Wave Maker Pumps at Jungle Aquatics! - SOBO Wave Maker PumpsExperience a revolution in aquarium wave-making with the SOBO Wave Maker Pumps. Our pumps are designed with patented controlled reversal technology that fully addresses the typical problem of water absorption from the wave pump...

jungleaquatics.com

Meh. Jebao are half the price.

 

[deepsynth]

Creates random flow and turbulence. Helps eliminate dead spots and provides surface agitation.

So basically either side of the tank. Pointing at each other. And that should be enough for flow. Or how about each opposite corner of the tank

 

[Jekyl]

So basically either side of the tank. Pointing at each other. And that should be enough for flow. Or how about each opposite corner of the tank

Where they're actually at on the sides is up to you. What size tank is this? Flow as mentioned is something you'll have to tinker with. I'm just helping as you dip your toe in the water.