New To the Reefing Game

[Rogersaw]

Hello, I am really new to reefing. I started out a little more than two months ago with a jellyfish tank. I literally just finished cycling that tank and ordered my jellies (I am super excited). While cycling, I did some research into reefing and it intrigued me. So, I purchased a Biocube 32. So far, I like it. Anyway, I purchased some live rock and went through the stinky process of curing. I finally got done with that (Thank God!) and put it in my tank. It looks pretty good I must say. So, I am now four days into cycling my tank and my ammonia levels have spiked to 8.0. I am going to stop here because I have a few questions and I don't want to forget (There's a few, so please bear with me):
1. With the ammonia level that high, should I do something about it or let it continue with the natural process?
2. Refugium: should I run a refugium while cycling my tank? I purchased a mod that fits perfectly in the back side of the tank (I have everything to install it now. If you guys think I should).
3. Protein skimmer: Should I run a protein skimmer during the cycle process?
4. Water changes: When I purchased my live rock, the company told me to do a 10% water change every day for the first three days. I did that, now what? Do I keep doing them? If so, for how long and how much?
5. Feeding: I found a lot of good information out there about feeding. But, I plan on having a FOWLR tank. Well, none of them really explain how to feed everything in your tank. I plan on having coral, fish, crabs, and snails at a minimum. Which brings me to my question; how do you feed them (all at once, separately, or what) and what do you feed them with? Also, what do you feed them? I assume that they all won't eat the same thing.
6. I keep reading about a sump or a top off for some tanks (not sure if they are the same or not). Since I have a Biocube that does not have any space for one, is there any recommendations out there about getting a mod or an external that I can run some flexible plumbing to (I'm just spitballing here)?
7. Oh yeah, I just remembered my RO/DI. How do I test the water coming from it?
8. Which brings me to testing: I read somewhere that I should test my water every day during the first week of cycling. After that week, how often should I test?
Back to my story, I am a perfectionist and I want everything to be perfect. I know for a fact that it won't, so I am trying to get as much information now so I have at least some idea of what I am dealing with when the time comes. I am happy that I found a reefing community that I can go to to ask what may be (to me at least) stupid questions. So, any advice you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated and I hope to be able to repay the favor when I become more experienced in my reefing career.

 

[emilio365]

Hello, I am really new to reefing. I started out a little more than two months ago with a jellyfish tank. I literally just finished cycling that tank and ordered my jellies (I am super excited). While cycling, I did some research into reefing and it intrigued me. So, I purchased a Biocube 32. So far, I like it. Anyway, I purchased some live rock and went through the stinky process of curing. I finally got done with that (Thank God!) and put it in my tank. It looks pretty good I must say. So, I am now four days into cycling my tank and my ammonia levels have spiked to 8.0. I am going to stop here because I have a few questions and I don't want to forget (There's a few, so please bear with me):
1. With the ammonia level that high, should I do something about it or let it continue with the natural process?
2. Refugium: should I run a refugium while cycling my tank? I purchased a mod that fits perfectly in the back side of the tank (I have everything to install it now. If you guys think I should).
3. Protein skimmer: Should I run a protein skimmer during the cycle process?
4. Water changes: When I purchased my live rock, the company told me to do a 10% water change every day for the first three days. I did that, now what? Do I keep doing them? If so, for how long and how much?
5. Feeding: I found a lot of good information out there about feeding. But, I plan on having a FOWLR tank. Well, none of them really explain how to feed everything in your tank. I plan on having coral, fish, crabs, and snails at a minimum. Which brings me to my question; how do you feed them (all at once, separately, or what) and what do you feed them with? Also, what do you feed them? I assume that they all won't eat the same thing.
6. I keep reading about a sump or a top off for some tanks (not sure if they are the same or not). Since I have a Biocube that does not have any space for one, is there any recommendations out there about getting a mod or an external that I can run some flexible plumbing to (I'm just spitballing here)?
7. Oh yeah, I just remembered my RO/DI. How do I test the water coming from it?
8. Which brings me to testing: I read somewhere that I should test my water every day during the first week of cycling. After that week, how often should I test?
Back to my story, I am a perfectionist and I want everything to be perfect. I know for a fact that it won't, so I am trying to get as much information now so I have at least some idea of what I am dealing with when the time comes. I am happy that I found a reefing community that I can go to to ask what may be (to me at least) stupid questions. So, any advice you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated and I hope to be able to repay the favor when I become more experienced in my reefing career.

1. Let it continue. First you will see ammonia then it will start to drop and you will see a steady rise of Nitrite. Then you will notice the Nitrite will begging to Drop, and you will see a rise in Nitrate.

2. In my opinion you should wait till the cycle is done.

3. when I cycled my tank I left the skimmer off.

4. Hold off on water changes until your cycle is done.

5. Feedeing, you can feed Rods Food for your coral, Fish and Crabs. The snails will feed on the Algae in your tank.

6. Bio cubes are All in One Tank so you don’t need a Sump. The Auto top off is a Pump & Sensor that adds fresh water to your tank. This is because the water in your tank will evaporate over time, this will cause the salinity to rise, by adding fresh water the salinity will remain stable.

7. Look for a TDS Meter (Total Disolved Solids). They sell hand held meters or there is also meters that you can add to your RO/DI Unit.

8. I test once or twice a week.

This is what has worked for me, but in this Hobby there are multiple variations and a ton of different techniques that will work for some but not for all. All Tanks are different. Keep us posted on the progress.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome.

You are really jumping in. Love to see pics of the jellyfish. Interesting choice, what made go that route 1st? I have not run into many so sounds interesting.

Heres a link to help with a few questions to help with the journey. There is also a whole forum for new to saltwater folks.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Rogersaw]

1. Let it continue. First you will see ammonia then it will start to drop and you will see a steady rise of Nitrite. Then you will notice the Nitrite will begging to Drop, and you will see a rise in Nitrate.

2. In my opinion you should wait till the cycle is done.

3. when I cycled my tank I left the skimmer off.

4. Hold off on water changes until your cycle is done.

5. Feedeing, you can feed Rods Food for your coral, Fish and Crabs. The snails will feed on the Algae in your tank.

6. Bio cubes are All in One Tank so you don’t need a Sump. The Auto top off is a Pump & Sensor that adds fresh water to your tank. This is because the water in your tank will evaporate over time, this will cause the salinity to rise, by adding fresh water the salinity will remain stable.

7. Look for a TDS Meter (Total Disolved Solids). They sell hand held meters or there is also meters that you can add to your RO/DI Unit.

8. I test once or twice a week.

This is what has worked for me, but in this Hobby there are multiple variations and a ton of different techniques that will work for some but not for all. All Tanks are different. Keep us posted on the progress.

Thanks for the quick reply. Any opinion on setting up the refugium now, or should I wait on that as well? I will keep you posted.

 

[Rogersaw]

Welcome.

You are really jumping in. Love to see pics of the jellyfish. Interesting choice, what made go that route 1st? I have not run into many so sounds interesting.

Heres a link to help with a few questions to help with the journey. There is also a whole forum for new to saltwater folks.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

I have a million questions and will probably have some more. But, the jellyfish were my first choice because they are peaceful in a turbulent world. They are graceful, delicate and seeming don't have a care in the world. I just ordered them today. I should be getting them by Friday. I will post pics.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

We do questions , watch those jellyfish stings.

 

[Rogersaw]

Welcome.

You are really jumping in. Love to see pics of the jellyfish. Interesting choice, what made go that route 1st? I have not run into many so sounds interesting.

Heres a link to help with a few questions to help with the journey. There is also a whole forum for new to saltwater folks.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

As promised...Here is a pic of my new jellies. So far, they are loving their new home.