New to r2r

nanna · Nov 5, 2017

hey there! Brand new this group, I've had freshwater fish for a while and thought I would dabble into saltwater. Got a litte and put a few live rocks in with some aragonite. I was also told to put a raw shrimp in there to help start the cycling. How often and what levels am I checking? I have a testing kit with ammonia, pH, nitrite, and nitrate, is there a range I'm looking for specific to certain fish, as far as the "normal" levels?
Does it matter that I created a sandstorm?

How long til this goes away haha

Thanks! Excited to see how this goes

kschweer · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome!!!

Lovemyreef2015 · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R

Yuki Rihwa · Nov 5, 2017

nanna said:
hey there! Brand new this group, I've had freshwater fish for a while and thought I would dabble into saltwater. Got a litte and put a few live rocks in with some aragonite. I was also told to put a raw shrimp in there to help start the cycling. How often and what levels am I checking? I have a testing kit with ammonia, pH, nitrite, and nitrate, is there a range I'm looking for specific to certain fish, as far as the "normal" levels?
Does it matter that I created a sandstorm? How long til this goes away haha

Thanks! Excited to see how this goes

Welcome to R2R!
We have ton of very friendly members that will answer all the questions in a friendly professional ways.
I would use liquid ammonia you can find in the link below for fishless cycle, it's easier and no messy foul smelling with a dead prawn shrimp
https://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Ammonium-chloride-bottle/dp/B006MP4QG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509894501&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+tim's+ammonium+chloride&dpID=414pJ%2BMh07L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
You can find this product in some LFS so be sure ask your LFS.
If you use liquid ammonia then dose and test your tank until ammonia reached 2~4 ppm then test your water after a week and see if ammo level drop. If it drop then dose your tank back up to 2~4 ppm until Nitrite show up, repeat until your tank consume all 2~4 ppm ammonia/nitrite in 24 hours then you good to go and do a 90% water change before adding fish.
Note:
This process could take up 8 weeks to complete if you just let your tank cycle in nature way.

dbl · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R and the salty side of the hobby.

jsker · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R, I would say you have some pretty good advice from @Yuki Rihwa and I would stress patients with reefing

it takes time

DeepBlueSomething · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R!

Cherub · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome. Patience is key! I know iys exciting but let the shrimp run its course lol.

4FordFamily · Nov 5, 2017

Welcome home, you will love it here!

Sand clouds dissipate in a few hours to a few days, depending on what equipment you have (IE skimmer), type of sand, etc.