New reefer after some advice!

[JoelC87]

Hey reefers,

First time reefer and first tank!

Found myself questioning some advice from a friend of a friend who was helping me setup my first tank. Due to low knowledge / lack of research I’m now 3 weeks into a new tank with 2 clown fish added at the 2 week mark after starting tank cycle process using the Red Sea reef mature kit. The cycle wasn’t completed as per kit instructions as the kit was only able to treat 250L where my tank is about 300L so the kit ran out after 1 week where it’s meant to be a 3 week kit.

Question is what should I expect the cycle to be like now after adding fish early in the cycling process. Ammonia has been around 0.8 - 1.2 over the last week. Fish are happy and eating. Will the ammonia eventually start to decrease by itself or is there something I should do to assist? One of my LFS advised to just let the tank be now for about 5 weeks and to expect an algae outbreak in the next few weeks and to take some water in to them to test.

 

[Ludders]

Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle?

The ammonia will convert to nitrite and in turn nitrate.

It's less than ideal the go through this process with live stock, but it's a bit late for that now.
You need to monitor your water parameters closely including nitrite and nitrate and ensure your ammonia isn't getting any higher.
Try to limit your feeding whilst everything catches up with itself.
Consider water change if things get too high, but your LFS are right, you need to ride this out and hope your clown fish survive. They are pretty hardy if that helps.
As soon as you start seeing nitrates you can start a routine weekly maintenance schedule of 10% water changes.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[JoelC87]

Are you familiar with the nitrogen cycle?

The ammonia will convert to nitrite and in turn nitrate.

It's less than ideal the go through this process with live stock, but it's a bit late for that now.
You need to monitor your water parameters closely including nitrite and nitrate and ensure your ammonia isn't getting any higher.
Try to limit your feeding whilst everything catches up with itself.
Consider water change if things get too high, but your LFS are right, you need to ride this out and hope your clown fish survive. They are pretty hardy if that helps.
As soon as you start seeing nitrates you can start a routine weekly maintenance schedule of 10% water changes.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Yes thank you I have made myself very aware of the nitrogen cycle now. Was just concerned for the fish and had also asked LFS about the need to do water changes now but was asked why?? I figured to help keep those levels down.

Nitrates are present so I shall begin to do water changes then.

Thanks again for your response! What’s the best way to know the cycle is complete? Just keep checking parameters until I see no ammonia and nitrites?

 

[Shanel]

It's all sound advice so far. Just one side note about algae outbreak. It can also be bacteria. Don't get discouraged. Be patient things to fix themselves overnight. Fighting outbreaks sometimes takes a while. Manual removal and constantly cleaning is your friend in this situation.

 

[Ludders]

Essentially yes. Do you have a TDS meter to check the quality of your RO water and are you making/mixing your own or getting it from the LFS?

 

[JoelC87]

Essentially yes. Do you have a TDS meter to check the quality of your RO water and are you making/mixing your own or getting it from the LFS?

No TDS meter. RO I’m getting from the LFS for top off. Tank was filled with nsw.

 

[harley32907]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Ludders]

I would recommend getting one and keeping tabs on the water quality. What's the volume of your aquarium?

 

[Bigbadfishy]

Agree I know lots of horror story’s about RO water from LFS. Get your own it will pay for itself in no time. Also best advice I could give is go slow enjoy each part of the process. Rushing to the end is not the point it’s a masterpiece take your time learn and enjoy. If you need to reduce ammonia do a water change and let the cycle happen. Have you watched the Bulkreef supply 10 minute guides? It’s worth a watch.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pay attention to water quality focusing on ammonia and nitrate as well as salinity. RO water is recommended for top off and water changes and a quality test kit(s) is essential

 

[Shanel]

I mix my own saltwater and I can tell you its much better having your own Ro unit. If budget allows get one with the DI and UV filters. Also when mixing saltwater add salt to the water and not water to the salt. You may be tempted to change the water shortly after mixing it but wait a day or so until it becomes fully dissolved. There is a BRS Video on this you should watch.