New 14G Tank

[CKominski]

I have a new 14G that is about two weeks old at this point. I just noticed today that there is a lot more brown algae on my nice clean white live sand! This is a good thing right?oh:

Water Perimeters as of Thursday

Ammonia----0.50
PH----------7.8
NO3---------0ppm
NO2---------0ppm

 

[JR's Reef]

Ph is a bit low. Ditoms are noral during cycle and should go away soon. I wouldnt run lights during cycle to help from unwated algae from growing

 

[JR's Reef]

Oh Welcome to the board

 

[sprinklerdudes]

welcome

 

[CKominski]

Ok, so this is normal. Thanks I am glad to find a site were my dumb question maybe answered! I am sure I will have many more of them.

 

[Pizzapro83]

Looking good!! Take it slow.Welcome

 

[JR's Reef]

Ok, so this is normal. Thanks I am glad to find a site were my dumb question maybe answered! I am sure I will have many more of them.

Thats what we are here for ask away

 

[sprinklerdudes]

check out this gunk

I let my tank cycle for a while before adding anything, got some hair algae, and some other gross gunk on sand and glass, after a few weeks, added a couple of snails, ans a small starfish, sand is clean and white, and glass is pretty clean too. Pic is after cycling.

 

[CKominski]

Thanks for everyones comments! This is my tank one week old!

 

[CKominski]

Ok, well it is week two of my Nano Reef Tank.... Here are my water perimeters!


Ammonia.........0.25
PH..................8.2
Nitrate.............0.00
Nitrites.............0.00

So please tell me what you is going on and you think is this a good thing?

 

[blackhawk86]

your ph looks better just remember to keep it as stable as possible. Do you have anyfish in your tank? If not now might be the time to add 1 docile small fish to continue the cycle like a green chromis. Once your nitrites start to build you will see your nitrates start to build at this point you should start to see amm fall slowly then nitrites fall slowly all the while nitrates keeps rising. when amm and nitrites read 0 the cycle is done and you can now do a water change and add another fish if you like. Just remember slow and steady and you'll be fine.

 

[CKominski]

your ph looks better just remember to keep it as stable as possible. Do you have anyfish in your tank? If not now might be the time to add 1 docile small fish to continue the cycle like a green chromis. Once your nitrites start to build you will see your nitrates start to build at this point you should start to see amm fall slowly then nitrites fall slowly all the while nitrates keeps rising. when amm and nitrites read 0 the cycle is done and you can now do a water change and add another fish if you like. Just remember slow and steady and you'll be fine.

Ok, so I did add a fish today a yellow tile damsel.. So what you thinking one more week that is kind of what I was thinking..

 

[CKominski]

I also would like to share this is my friends webcam
Live view - AXIS 206 Network Camera

Take a look at it!!!

 

[blackhawk86]

I added a yellow tail to cycle my first tank i still have it and ill never buy another one again. Those fish are the meanest things ive ever seen it even bites me when i clean up the tank or spot feed. I would wait a while to get another fish though seeing as theres less than 14g in your system and could cause a crash. Its hard but hang in there for the cycle to finish meanwhile when you see nitrates start to climb add a few snails or blue leg hermits or you could add 1 or 2 ricordeas to look at. Adding these will not add much to the bioload and will add more life to the tank.

 

[CKominski]

So I just bought a Oceanic Protein Skimmer! My question for all of you is this Protein Skimmer worth it? Do i still use the filter cartages? If I don't still use them then I believe it may pay for itself!

 

[CKominski]

Bump!

 

[lkjr409]

Kinda depends on what you expect to put in the tank...
just coral and may 1 small fish: maybe you won't need a skimmer if you do frequent water changes....more fish (more bioload) = skimmer

 

[CKominski]

Week 3 Of my 14G Nano-Reef Tank

Ammonia----0.0
PH----------8.2
NO3---------0ppm
NO2---------0ppm
KH----------11 (Drops really dont know how to calcite KH)

 

[xmjxflipx]

ditto im not too sure on the KH too..........if anyone can chime in........is the KH averaged out when the blue solution changes in color or does it have to be yellow.??? cause ive had the solution turn from blue->green->after one more drop-> yellow

 

[CKominski]

Week 3 Of my 14G Nano-Reef Tank

Ammonia----0.0
PH----------8.2
NO3---------0ppm
NO2---------0ppm
KH----------11 (Drops really dont know how to calcite KH)

Ok I have a question now hopefully someone can answer. I was wondering when I should do my first water change.