New Tank

[TacticalBlankiez]

Hi everyone! I have a 2 1/2 week old tank. I'm not to sure when to do my water change and add fish. Here are my params:

How do the params look?
My tank is a 15g with a korolia 425gph and a cobalt 50W neo therm.
I plan on eventually upgrading to a 30g once I finish building a table
Here is a picture of my tank:

Ive put a table shrimp in to spike ammonia but it got up to 4.0 so i removed it.
When will I be able to add fish?
Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[dylana407]

When ammonia, nitrite are zero. Nitrate close too zero

 

[dylana407]

Your tank is still cycling.

 

[Seyoz]

I cut to the bottom, just as ammonia fades to whitish or off-white hint of yellow not green. Good sign!
And as nitrite go up, then start to disappear. The nitrates, will jump darker red. That's the time, 1/2 to 3/4 good depending how well at gravel vacuuming. But if new, try and do 3/4. Only time you do that big of a change ever!

 

[Seyoz]

If nitrite doesn't go down after 10-14 days and nitrates continue to deepen red! Could do mini water change to help nitrosomos! But best to let nature take its course. That way you don't have minicycle after add some fish 2-4 weeks later!

 

[Seyoz]

Some will say, to do mini water changes, to dilute nitrite and if nitrite comes back up, then continue to do mini changes if in rush to add coral or fish.

 

[Seyoz]

Better question: What picture do you think is more accurate to view?

The first ones better cause the side cast is more accurate...While the second, the flash is good but may make testing colors look off over the phone/internet!

 

[Seyoz]

I typically understand the rush, the cost of Inverts and the general care. So realistically, hold the urge. Focus on Kalkwasser, lighting schedule and purple up additive!

 

[Seyoz]

It's better to get Coraline as early as possible and at this point t calcium and elements aren't going to necessarily hurt the system...The Coraline Algae is a coating algae, that has slippery surface. And keeps the Brown diatoms from laying foundation. Dose 2x a week and give light scrub to rocks just before!

 

[Seyoz]

When ammonia, nitrite are zero. Nitrate close too zero

Not necessarily... Yes, yes but theoretically nitrate should increase, this water change with gravel vacuuming!
If a nitrate reactor or other system like a refug would naturally bring down nitrates sumwhat but. That's too much for him to think about!
No wait. Don't listen to everyone's advice.... The more solid the cycle, the better bio-load,/load capacity a tank can handle!

 

[Seyoz]

Some like the Ammonia to spike for longer period of time, so that you get good baseline of the bio-load! Basically feeding frozen wo inhabitants, or using Damsel Starters and feeding heavily during cycle!

 

[Seyoz]

Imagine, yes nitrate will be higher but when Ammonia and Nitrite depleted naturally.. Nitrates conversion there...just little more vacuuming. Or a back to back 50% water change..leaving prefilter in filter to rinse in tank water few days later!

Now you know you can feed heavier for new fish, you don't fear not feeding enough...a skill...and if lil extra don't have to necessarily net off extra!

And if a friend feeds when gone, they always feed too much...Won't be an issue!

 

[TacticalBlankiez]

Imagine, yes nitrate will be higher but when Ammonia and Nitrite depleted naturally.. Nitrates conversion there...just little more vacuuming. Or a back to back 50% water change..leaving prefilter in filter to rinse in tank water few days later!

Now you know you can feed heavier for new fish, you don't fear not feeding enough...a skill...and if lil extra don't have to necessarily net off extra!

And if a friend feeds when gone, they always feed too much...Won't be an issue!

Alright thanks for your insight! im so anxious to get some fish in there its so empty
I'm going to get two Ocellaris Clowns when it's finished cycling. Is it best to get them in pairs or should i get them apart from each other? Also the additive and kalkwasser you recommended is it necessary? I want a fish only tank for now so i figured i wouldn't have to worry about calc and alk.