New guy - advice appreciated

Judson_f · Oct 11, 2022

Hey everyone,

totally new to saltwater aquariums. I have a 75gal tank with salinity about 1.026
I’ve been cycling my tank patiently (even though I’m an impatient person) and think it’s ready for fish. First two will be clowns lol my only worry is my parameters with the nitrogen cycle. I’ve read from a load of places though that the API test kit is insanely sensitive OR pops false positives for ammonia. So I was looking to introduce myself and post test results here for the collective wisdom & advice. My name is Judd btw! Super excited to get some fish in here for my daughter to look at!!

Day 2 tests
pH ~8.3
Ammonia 2.0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm

Day 4 tests
pH ~8.3
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

Day 6 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite .5-1.0ppm

Day 8 test
pH 8.2
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite 2.0ppm

Day 10 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia 1.0ppm
Nitrite 3.0ppm
Nitrate 20ppm

Day 11 test
pH ~8.3
Ammonia 0.5ppm
Nitrite 3.0-5.0ppm
Nitrate ~20ppm

Day 15 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite .50ppm
Nitrate 20ppm

Day 17 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm

ADDED ~2.0ppm ammonia

Day 18 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm

Day 23 test (Oct 11)
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5ppm

vetteguy53081 · Oct 11, 2022

vetteguy53081 · Oct 11, 2022

Judson_f said:
Hey everyone,

totally new to saltwater aquariums. I have a 75gal tank with salinity about 1.026
I’ve been cycling my tank patiently (even though I’m an impatient person) and think it’s ready for fish. First two will be clowns lol my only worry is my parameters with the nitrogen cycle. I’ve read from a load of places though that the API test kit is insanely sensitive OR pops false positives for ammonia. So I was looking to introduce myself and post test results here for the collective wisdom & advice. My name is Judd btw! Super excited to get some fish in here for my daughter to look at!!

Day 2 tests
pH ~8.3
Ammonia 2.0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm

Day 4 tests
pH ~8.3
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

Day 6 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite .5-1.0ppm

Day 8 test
pH 8.2
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite 2.0ppm

Day 10 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia 1.0ppm
Nitrite 3.0ppm
Nitrate 20ppm

Day 11 test
pH ~8.3
Ammonia 0.5ppm
Nitrite 3.0-5.0ppm
Nitrate ~20ppm

Day 15 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite .50ppm
Nitrate 20ppm

Day 17 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm

ADDED ~2.0ppm ammonia

Day 18 test
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm

Day 23 test (Oct 11)
pH ~8.2
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5ppm

As numbers look good, what test kits are you using ?

Judson_f · Oct 11, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
As numbers look good, what test kits are you using ?

Just the API, I didn’t even think to go ahead and order another after I became suspicious of the .25ppm ammonia reading ‍

vetteguy53081 · Oct 11, 2022

Judson_f said:
Just the API, I didn’t even think to go ahead and order another after I became suspicious of the .25ppm ammonia reading ‍

Yes, they are well known for false readings. You can take a water sample toa Trusted LFS that does Not use Api kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours

ABQ_CHRIS · Oct 11, 2022

Hello and welcome. I would say that your tank is ready to add that pair of clownfish.

CoralB · Oct 11, 2022

Welcome !!!

mehaffydr · Oct 11, 2022

Welcome to R2R
I would agree you are ready to add the clowns.
The best advice I can give is Be Patient. Steady and slow wins this race

Kristopher Conlin · Oct 11, 2022

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!

This hobby will definitely temper impatience the hard way. I'm glad you are taking your time!

Tuan’s Reef · Oct 11, 2022

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Pkunk35 · Oct 11, 2022

Welcome! 23 days and falling ammonia like that, you’re good imo. Have fun dude it’s totally the best part now…

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Oct 11, 2022

U can get a test kit for ammonia from salifert, elos, or even red sea to get more precise and accurate #s.
However this 1 test kit will probably cost as much as a whole set from api.
Also it's not really needed imo. Only patience is. Give time. I'd add a 2 fish after a month yes and slowly introduce the rest of your stock in the yr. Give it a cpl weeks between stockings.
Also fish only? Fish with live rock? Or a reef? This is a good start and one of the 1st choices of the tank.
D

TokenReefer · Oct 11, 2022

Welcome!

OrchidMiss · Oct 11, 2022

Hello

Welcome to the reefs!
As stated above, API test kits are known to be less accurate than others.
If you want to eventually add different types of coral, and not fish only, to invest in higher quality kits.
For now, though, I'd also agree you're ready to add some fishes and a couple snails to clean up after them.
Ask lots of questions, we love to help!!!

Judson_f · Oct 11, 2022

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
U can get a test kit for ammonia from salifert, elos, or even red sea to get more precise and accurate #s.
However this 1 test kit will probably cost as much as a whole set from api.
Also it's not really needed imo. Only patience is. Give time. I'd add a 2 fish after a month yes and slowly introduce the rest of your stock in the yr. Give it a cpl weeks between stockings.
Also fish only? Fish with live rock? Or a reef? This is a good start and one of the 1st choices of the tank.
D

I honestly don’t even know yet. I want to keep the tank pretty darn empty. Just to keep the focus on the few fish that are in it lol so plans for now are literally two clowns, a goby & shrimp pair, and maybe some more clean up crew once I see I may need them. But I intend on keeping the bio load light - the only thing is idk if I’d be interested in adding a few corals if I could way later on. Or maybe a BTA for my clowns instead
** edit I have live sand & dry rock that is now obviously wet … and hopefully full of good bacteria haha

Judson_f · Oct 11, 2022

OrchidMiss said:
Hello
Welcome to the reefs!
As stated above, API test kits are known to be less accurate than others.
If you want to eventually add different types of coral, and not fish only, to invest in higher quality kits.
For now, though, I'd also agree you're ready to add some fishes and a couple snails to clean up after them.
Ask lots of questions, we love to help!!!

Thanks for the advice!

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Oct 11, 2022

I will say soft coral is more forgiving of water parameter should they go out of wack or imbalance.
Anenomes I don't recommend until the tanks been running 1yr +
D

Judson_f · Oct 11, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
Yes, they are well known for false readings. You can take a water sample toa Trusted LFS that does Not use Api kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours

Thanks for the advice! I’ll probably overnight a better kit. I’m a little off the beaten path & the only pet stores are petcos and what have you (even that is just over an hour away lol)

Judson_f · Oct 11, 2022

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
I will say soft coral is more forgiving of water parameter should they go out of wack or imbalance.
Anenomes I don't recommend until the tanks been running 1yr +
D

That’s what I’ve been seeing/reading. Thank you! I’m not in a rush after I get those darn clowns in there. I just want to get SOMEthing in there to start then I’ll be content and take my sweet time like I said don’t have much I even want to add past just a couple nice fish anyway lol