Nano 10 gal Ecosystem

anizato · Mar 24, 2014

Hey everybody!

I am in the middle of cycling my 10gal tank.
So far, this is what i have setup.

8lb Cured Live Rock (according to my LFS it was already cured)
2" Arag-alive Sand
Par 38 20k LED
Quietflow 15 inner filter
425 Koralia Nano Powerhead
AquaClear 30 DIY Refugium (plan on adding Chaeto)
Marina HOB DIY Refugium (plan on breeding copepods with Ulva-Lettuce)

For the first 8 days my tanks water parameters were:

Sal-1.024
Calcium- 480
pH-8
Phosphate-0
Ammonia-0
kH-161.1
Nitrate-10

Then I got some extra testing supplies and I dropped a piece of Bay Shrimp (the tiny kind) & after 48 hrs the water reads:

Sal-1.026
Ammonia-0.25
Nitrite-0.5
Nitrate-20
kH-161.1
Calcium-460
Phosphate-0.25
pH-7.9

This is where I am at.

However I don't exactly know how to interpret my test results.
Do the low Ammonia levels mean my tank is nearing the end of the cycle?
Does the high Nitrate mean I am ready for a 30-40% WC and should begin adding a CUC and Chaeto in my refugium?
What does it mean to have 0.25 of Phosphate, is that bad?

As an intro CUC I would like:

10 Dwarf Cerith
3 Nassarius Vibex Snails
4 Florida Cerith Snails
3 Nerite Snails
1 Ulva
1 Macro Algae
1 Chaetomorpha

I intent to culture copepods in a separat 1gal system, just for kicks ...and just in case.

I am open to suggestions and would love some expert advise.

I am new to this hobby but am taking the plunge without looking back! Happy to be a part of the community.

Happy Reefing!

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 24, 2014

Sounds like you are doing well. Just keep taking tests so you can watch the cycle. The fact that you have some nitrites and nitrates means its starting to cycle. If the rock is cured and with the live sand it should help speed it up.

Phosphates fuel algae so keep an eye on them. .25 isnt terrible. You can run a phosphate sponge in a mesh bag to get it out.

spspirate · Mar 25, 2014

Welcome to REEF2REEF!!!!

anizato · Mar 25, 2014

Thanks.

After 72 Hrs of the Bay Shrimp rotting away in my tank, I also added an AquaClear30 running nothing but LR-Rubble (I might add a piece of PolyFilter later).

Ammonia 0.15
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15
Calcium 480
Phosphate 0.25
pH 8.1
kH 8dkH=143.2ppm

I noticed my Nitrites have been consumed and I lost a little alkalinity. Ammonia has lowered.

So my questions are.

What does the decrease in alkalinity mean?
What does the decrease of Ammonia in relation to the Nitrates coming down as well mean?
Is it nearing the end of my cycle? Do I have enough healthy bacteria for the CUC (after a 40% WC of course)?

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 25, 2014

Something is using bicarbonate in your system. Here's a good video on alkalinity/ calcium/ magnesium

Calcium and Alkalinity in the Reef Aquarium - Video Series - Bulk Reef Supply

When a tank cycles you first get a spike of ammonia until the bacteria that eats ammonia build up and consume the ammonia, the bacteria produce the nitrite while doing this and causes a nitrite spike. Then there is a bacteria that eats the nitrite and turns it into nitrate the least harmful to fish coral and inverts. If you have ammonia or nitrite it is unsafe for any critters.

You could be nearing the end but still wait till you have no ammonia or nitrite.

anizato · Mar 25, 2014

perfect! finally easily explained! Thank you for clearing that up. Because you read so many different things and different opinions and interpretations, its a challenge to fit that into your own experience, mainly because I began with cured LiveRock, and didn't know if that meant anything different, if I was doing something wrong or needed to do something I am missing or don't know about yet.

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 25, 2014

Sure =) What you are doing sounds good to me. It Just takes time. I had dry rock and seeded with some live rock and used live sand. It took a little over 2 weeks and all ammonia and nitrite were gone. How many days has it been?

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

Cool man! I just started my 10 gal on sunday!

anizato · Mar 25, 2014

Tomorrow is day 11. 4th day with decaying shrimp.

I took a picture of one of my rocks, it has this weird red stuff growing. Is that some kind of hard algae or is it coral? Does anybody know what the heck that is?

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 25, 2014

Ha I just realized were in the same state lol. I'm about 6 hours from you.

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 25, 2014

If its hard it could be coraline algae which is good. But usually it's kinda a purple color.

anizato · Mar 25, 2014

so if its red, does that mean its not healthy?

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 25, 2014

No there is a red coralline algae also. That could be what it is but its hard to be sure without seeing it up close.

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 25, 2014

Anizato dont worry about it i have same thing on one piece of my liverock, wont harm a thing! Ive been cycling for 3 days now!

anizato · Mar 26, 2014

Aquarium Day 7.

I installed the lighting that day. Par 38 LED 20k.

anizato · Mar 26, 2014

How are you cycling? Are you using boosters? Ammonia?

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 26, 2014

Im cycling with live rock from old tank and dropping it right next to me in the 1o gallon, also using live sand and instant ocean salt. no boosters. hbu?