New to saltwater

[Mags]

I am starting a brand new 26 gal bowfront saltwater. I purchased dry rock from my lfs, (rinsed the rock), live sand. I arranged the rock in the tank and added the live sand. I added all the equipment. (20-50 fluval hob filter, powerhead, heater). Added saltwater purchased from lfs. I put in a fresh shrimp to add bacteria. It has been cycling for 2 weeks, my ammonia level is 0ppm, nitrite 5.0 ppm and nitrate 160ppm. I am doing weekly water changes. Am I in the right direction or is there something I need to be doing? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[GoVols]

I am starting a brand new 26 gal bowfront saltwater. I purchased dry rock from my lfs, (rinsed the rock), live sand. I arranged the rock in the tank and added the live sand. I added all the equipment. (20-50 fluval hob filter, powerhead, heater). Added saltwater purchased from lfs. I put in a fresh shrimp to add bacteria. It has been cycling for 2 weeks, my ammonia level is 0ppm, nitrite 5.0 ppm and nitrate 160ppm. I am doing weekly water changes. Am I in the right direction or is there something I need to be doing? Thanks in advance for your input.

Mags,
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef and hope you fill at home.

The only thing that I can add:
Is that when I start up a fresh cycle. I do not do water changes.
To myself, water changes and running protein skimmers during the cycling process only slows it down.
I like to keep all the goodies inside the tank to get a nice and deep cycle.
But... (lol) that's just my opinion and many ways to skin a cat.

Looks like your on your way and wish you all the best.

Regards, GoVols

 

[Flippers4pups]

Welcome to Reef2reef! your almost there! Your nitrite is still detectable and NO3 is high, but the nitrite will drop soon. Not ready for fish, corals and inverts at this point. As @GoVols stated, give it a little more time and watch the NO3. When it gets down to 0-5ppm, then add your live stock.

 

[Mags]

Mags,
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef and hope you fill at home.

The only thing that I can add:
Is that when I start up a fresh cycle. I do not do water changes.
To myself, water changes and running protein skimmers during the cycling process only slows it down.
I like to keep all the goodies inside the tank to get a nice and deep cycle.
But... (lol) that's just my opinion and many ways to skin a cat.

Looks like your on your way and wish you all the best.

Regards, GoVols

Thanks for you input, I was wondering about the water changes, that makes a whole lot of sense.

 

[Mags]

Welcome to Reef2reef! your almost there! Your nitrite is still detectable and NO3 is high, but the nitrite will drop soon. Not ready for fish, corals and inverts at this point. As @GoVols stated, give it a little more time and watch the NO3. When it gets down to 0-5ppm, then add your live stock.

Thanks for your input, glad to know I am on the right track

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R! Here's a great link with lots of info

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/t...-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/#post-1603526

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[savetheocean]

I went to my LFS and asked them about that shrimp thing and they told me it was a bad idea..? I forget exactly what they said but anyone know why?

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R! Well, the shrimp thing is kinda messy and sometimes smelly. Plus you could end up introducing some unknown into the water with the shrimp. Because of that, many use ammonia instead. Especially, Ace Hardware Janitorial Strength has zero additives (no foaming agents-that would be bad). That way you can control the amount of ammonia entering the tank. I use it. It works. One drop per gallon of saltwater gives you approx. 1 ppm of ammonia. So your tank would take a dose of approx 26 drops to maintain 1 ppm. Test. TEST to be sure. Your mileage may vary. Cheers!

 

[savetheocean]

Welcome to R2R! Well, the shrimp thing is kinda messy and sometimes smelly. Plus you could end up introducing some unknown into the water with the shrimp. Because of that, many use ammonia instead. Especially, Ace Hardware Janitorial Strength has zero additives (no foaming agents-that would be bad). That way you can control the amount of ammonia entering the tank. I use it. It works. One drop per gallon of saltwater gives you approx. 1 ppm of ammonia. So your tank would take a dose of approx 26 drops to maintain 1 ppm. Test. TEST to be sure. Your mileage may vary. Cheers!

I had two clownfish with my fish-cycle. They are still alive and healthy. But, it has only been 4 months in.