New to salt water : beginner fish

[Jsnrajah]

I’m new to saltwater: running 34 gallon AIO, cycled the tank for 3 weeks with dr Tim’s one and only. Got a pair of ocellaris 1 inch in length. Partameters look good expect for nitrate - slightly elevated ( May take 4 months based on the research ). Planning to have a lights off for 2 months and fish only for now. I’m looking for your recommendation on fish for the tank next month. equally how to bring down nitrate ( I do weekly water change for 20%)

 

[DeniseAndy]

Welcome and hello!
It sounds like you are just getting a cycle going in the tank. While, I generally do not like having fish in the cycle time, you have them, so lets help you out.
I would suggest you get some Prime. This is in case you get some ammonia in the tank as this can damage or kill the fish. I would also just get an ammonia badge by Seachem as a precautionary measure to know if you need to dose Prime.
Now, you can add more of the bacteria in a bottle on and off if you want. Otherwise, just relax and let the tank develop.
Keep an eye on the badge. If it gets into the green, dose prime. In a cycled reef system, it should never go beyond yellow.
Keeping lights out is good as you do not want to increase the algae. That will come on its own.

So, now you can decide what you want in the tank. Are you having corals? What sorts? Anemone? Other fish? Inverts (other than coral)?

 

[C_mo97]

Your water changes should bring down the nitrate. What exactly is it at, a reading of 10-20 is normal.

 

[PatW]

The Live Aquaria site is good to get an idea. Look for fish that are easy, reef safe, and peaceful.

There are a fair number of options: pajama cardinals, Bengai cardinals, many blennies, many gobies, fairy basslets, maybe some of the flasher or fairy wrasses.

 

[Jsnrajah]

Welcome and hello!
It sounds like you are just getting a cycle going in the tank. While, I generally do not like having fish in the cycle time, you have them, so lets help you out.
I would suggest you get some Prime. This is in case you get some ammonia in the tank as this can damage or kill the fish. I would also just get an ammonia badge by Seachem as a precautionary measure to know if you need to dose Prime.
Now, you can add more of the bacteria in a bottle on and off if you want. Otherwise, just relax and let the tank develop.
Keep an eye on the badge. If it gets into the green, dose prime. In a cycled reef system, it should never go beyond yellow.
Keeping lights out is good as you do not want to increase the algae. That will come on its own.

So, now you can decide what you want in the tank. Are you having corals? What sorts? Anemone? Other fish? Inverts (other than coral)?

Thank you. Appreciate the guidance. I’m looking beginner fish

 

[Jsnrajah]

Your water changes should bring down the nitrate. What exactly is it at, a reading of 10-20 is normal.

It’s between 20 and 30 based on the Red Sea test kit

 

[Jsnrajah]

It’s between 20-50 based on the red test kit - ammonia is 0, ph 8.1 and alkalinity 10

 

[Jsnrajah]

Thank you. Appreciate the guidance. I’m looking beginner fish

The Live Aquaria site is good to get an idea. Look for fish that are easy, reef safe, and peaceful.

There are a fair number of options: pajama cardinals, Bengai cardinals, many blennies, many gobies, fairy basslets, maybe some of the flasher or fairy wrasses.

Thank you

 

[Jsnrajah]

this site is very helpful - good guidance on beginner fish.. thank you

 

[ShepherdReefer]

I’m new to saltwater: running 34 gallon AIO, cycled the tank for 3 weeks with dr Tim’s one and only. Got a pair of ocellaris 1 inch in length. Partameters look good expect for nitrate - slightly elevated ( May take 4 months based on the research ). Planning to have a lights off for 2 months and fish only for now. I’m looking for your recommendation on fish for the tank next month. equally how to bring down nitrate ( I do weekly water change for 20%)

Welcome to R2R and congrats on the new startup. I'm very sure you will enjoy it. You stated the nitrates are slightly elevated, what is that valve? I have read that some tanks have a slightly elevated nitrate and the acceptable range is around 0.25ppm but not to go over 5ppm. I have not actually ever had that high of a range, but currently, at 0ppm...but I guess that will depend on who you talk/discuss to/with.

 

[RiversideReefer]

i have a almost 2 month old tank and had high nitrates in the beginning (40-50 range). i've done 20% water changes every week, and have also added some seachem matrix and chemipure blue into the tank. few days ago my nitrate readings were at 5. give it sometime, keep up with the water changes, don't over feed, and you should see lower nitrates within a few weeks.

 

[Jsnrajah]

i have a almost 2 month old tank and had high nitrates in the beginning (40-50 range). i've done 20% water changes every week, and have also added some seachem matrix and chemipure blue into the tank. few days ago my nitrate readings were at 5. give it sometime, keep up with the water changes, don't over feed, and you should see lower nitrates within a few weeks.

Thank you... ill follow your directions..

 

[deedubz]

Welcome!