Is this ok at this stage?

[mcbdz]

Ok, Started a 55gal tank on 3/21/2019. And my 240gal on 4/15 2019. Most questions about the 55gal. Added fist fish to the 55g on 4/15/19- 2 clowns, 1 royal gramma and bi-color blenny. and a few clean up crew. Tank has stayed stable and I feed 2x a day at this time. On this day Amm-0 No2) and No310. Doing water change every other week using IO. Regular one.
Started checking pH-8.2 and KH 8.0 on 4/19/2019.
Added Cheato to both tanks on 4/27/19.
5/1 Amm-0, N02-0 and N03- less than 5, pH- 8.2 and KH- 8.
5/4/19 Amm-o, N02-0, N03-5, pH-8, KH-7.5. Water change done.
Today the 5/8/10 Amm-0, N02-0, N03-0 pH-8, KH-7.5.
Is my tank ok at this stage or are 0 No3 hurting or slowing it down? Also the KH is low and I don't have anything that should be using it yet. Not even coralline. Do I need to change something?

 

[svogun]

In addition to NO3 Id also take a look at what your phosphate levels are. Any coraline algae growth yet? Coraline algae growth will decrease your alkalinity. Also what was the alkalinity of your water change water?Tank seems fine from a parameter standpoint. Any nuisance algae?

 

[dansreef]

Your tank is really new. You are going to see fluctuations up and down. Keep doing what you are doing.... water changes and measuring Nitrates and Phosphates. Go slow introducing new life into your tank....and let it mature for the next few months. It will go through all sorts of uglies stages... you may want to cut back on feeding to once a day if nutrients get too far out of whack.

Relax...and go slow.

 

[mcbdz]

The nutrients are at 0. I was prepared for them to get high not low. No Carolline algae growth yet. Still on brown diatoms and seeing a bright pink and a little green but in spots but, not coraline. The snails can eat it? the green isn't hair it is that bright green and not raised. Just wanted to know if I needed to change salts or water changes more often and remove cheato so I can get a little nutrients? I expect the uglies, lol and, my small cleanup crew is taking care of them for now. I need to get a phosphate test still. Also calcium and magnesium. I just want to stay on track for corals several months down the road.

 

[svogun]

The nutrients are at 0. I was prepared for them to get high not low. No Carolline algae growth yet. Still on brown diatoms and seeing a bright pink and a little green but in spots but, not coraline. The snails can eat it? the green isn't hair it is that bright green and not raised. Just wanted to know if I needed to change salts or water changes more often and remove cheato so I can get a little nutrients? I expect the uglies, lol and, my small cleanup crew is taking care of them for now. I need to get a phosphate test still. Also calcium and magnesium. I just want to stay on track for corals several months down the road.

Coralline algae comes in different colors than just purple! I wouldn't change what you are doing. I like the Hanna ULR phosphate checker.

 

[dansreef]

Stay the course. Let the tank go through the uglies.... let it mature... They all do... or should do it... add more diversity by adding pods... more CUC and even a piece of live rock or two from a more established tank.

As for salt, I would stay with IO for the time being. A lot of people use it very successfully even with corals. I use Reef Crystals.... It just works for me. Once you get going with corals... you can then start to worry about Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. The key parameters to watch now and find stability with are Temp, PH, Salinity, Nitrates and Phosphates.

As your tank matures...and you move toward corals.... strive for stability. If you can achieve stability now with these early parameters... you will have an easier time finding and achieving stability with Ca, Alk, and Mg.

The key to great reef tank... is STABILITY. I have seen great reef tanks with parameters all over the map... but their success is not ultra low nutrients or high nutrients... or high this or that... no.... their key is finding stability. Fish and coral are very adaptable. If you can provide them a good stable environment, you will find success. Of course... I am sure you will get 100 different definitions of "good"..... find what works for you and then work to achieve stability.

Good Luck! Share some pictures as the tank matures!