Super newb question

[moorjames]

Hey everyone!! I’m excited to be here and to be joining the reefer family!

i am so new to this hobby- that I didn’t know what questions to ask when getting setup and I’m pretty sure I haven an incomplete setup. Little background:

I just bought a 32 bio cube this last Saturday. Bought the stand with it and assembled it that night. The next day I shoot back over to the store and decided to grab some stuff to setup. At this point I got a salesperson who wasn’t really an expert working the saltwater section but they tried their best. I ended up leaving with 30 gallons of their mixed saltwater, 30lbs of live sand, some live rock (both dry and cured), aqua sponge for the 1st chamber, dr Tim’s one and only, matrix mesh bag, some bio pellets, and a heater. Got home and put it all together the wrong way lol meaning I put sand down first- then rock- leaning rock against the back wall. Turned the lights on and waited until the sand settled.

monday comes around and I was researching and found I did a few things wrong. I didn’t realize I wasn’t supposed to have my lights on and that I should have the rock leaning up against the wall and I should glue those together. So I shoot back to the store and get somebody a little more knowledgeable and they suggested I get my powerhead, reef glue, and my main test kits for the setup. I drained my tank most of the way so I can redo my rocks and glue them together and refilled it with the same water I took out. Setup the powerheads and figured I was done

heres my question- am I missing something? Do I need something to start the ammonia? Or does something I’ve already done going to start? I don’t have fish and I haven’t ghost fed- shouldn’t I be adding ammonia to help start the cycle.

 

[moorjames]

Also I did turn my lights off so I don’t start getting algae

 

[dmy535]

Welcome! Part of the fun is learning!

Keep the lights off for a bit. As fun and cool as it is, while starting it will just photosynthesis algae and other unwanted stuff in the beginning.

For you other question, to start the cycle, add the Dr Tim’s one and only as it directs you. The dr Tim’s usually has two bottles, one for ammonia and the other to dose 1 week later to help speed up and introduce the denitrifying bacteria but if they didn’t sell you the bottle of ammonia, you can add a raw table Shrimp as well, let it begin to rot and that will expel the ammonia to jump start your process. Once you start reading a high ammonia, around 5ppm on your test kit, you can start the dr Tim’s and follow directions

 

[moorjames]

Welcome! Part of the fun is learning!

Keep the lights off for a bit. As fun and cool as it is, while starting it will just photosynthesis algae and other unwanted stuff in the beginning.

For you other question, to start the cycle, add the Dr Tim’s one and only as it directs you. The dr Tim’s usually has two bottles, one for ammonia and the other to dose 1 week later to help speed up and introduce the denitrifying bacteria but if they didn’t sell you the bottle of ammonia, you can add a raw table Shrimp as well, let it begin to rot and that will expel the ammonia to jump start your process. Once you start reading a high ammonia, around 5ppm on your test kit, you can start the dr Tim’s and follow directions

Thanks so much for the reply. Another question- I already added the one bottle (they didn’t sell me both bottles) that wasn’t ammonia- but if I go and buy the ammonia bottle and add it- will I need to re add the second bottle?

 

[vetteguy53081]

It’s ok in the order in which you put tank together
If filter us doing it’s job, it will clear quickly
You can place a filter pad or floss inside at the overflow to entrap fine particles to help clear tank
Add some liquid bacteria to help establish bacteria cultures with the live sand and further clear the cloudy appearance

 

[dmy535]

Thanks so much for the reply. Another question- I already added the one bottle (they didn’t sell me both bottles) that wasn’t ammonia- but if I go and buy the ammonia bottle and add it- will I need to re add the second bottle?

You should be ok. The “live sand” can help jump start it too. Only way to tell is to test your water. See if you’re registering ammonia, nitrite or nitrate.

 

[moorjames]

You are awesome!! Thanks for the help and can’t wait to contribute to the community

 

[neo1738]

Highly recommend you go to the new member section and read all about nitrogen cycle. Very important to read and understand. Send me a PM and I can get you a 2 page primer someone gave me w a ton of useful info. Most importantly please do a ton of research and understand how to properly care for the fish and tank will save you and them in the long run.

Cycling an Aquarium

Cycling a new aquarium. One of the earliest topics a new aquarium hobbyist needs to learn is how to properly cycle their aquarium. There is a ton of information on this process and many different methods on how to accomplish it. There are many different chemical and biological cycles our tank...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[moorjames]

Yeah I unfortunately went into the pet store with no clue and asked them to help me get a saltwater tank going. I’ve been wanting to do one for a while but didn’t know where to start. And no fault to them- but I realize that the advice I got may not have been complete- and the more research I do- the more I’m finding out how much I don’t know (which is fine- cause then I know what to research). It’s not knowing what I don’t know that creates frustration

 

[moorjames]

Highly recommend you go to the new member section and read all about nitrogen cycle. Very important to read and understand. Send me a PM and I can get you a 2 page primer someone gave me w a ton of useful info. Most importantly please do a ton of research and understand how to properly care for the fish and tank will save you and them in the long run.

Cycling an Aquarium

Cycling a new aquarium. One of the earliest topics a new aquarium hobbyist needs to learn is how to properly cycle their aquarium. There is a ton of information on this process and many different methods on how to accomplish it. There are many different chemical and biological cycles our tank...

www.reef2reef.com

I appreciate it! I have no idea how to PM on the mobile version- I’d love any and all info.
I believe I have read up on the nitrogen cycle- which is where I came to the conclusion I need to introduce ammonia to the tank to get the cycle started. I had no idea before- I was just tossing in bottles that other people recommended. I’m starting to see the direction a little clearer- but any info is greatly appreciated

 

[monicalooze]

Highly recommend starting with the Bulk Reef Supply 5 minute guide series. It'll help you figure out a basic set-up AND help you figure out what to research next.