Tank Cycled... Now What?

[Beausoleiljacob]

Hey Reef 2 Reef,
After having to tear down my new tank twice due to leaks and cracks, the third tank has finally been the charm. It has been running for almost a month now and is fully cycled. I did one water change and my nitrates are still crazy high. I just tested with my API test kit (Ik Crappy Testkit, Just use it for ballpark readings). Ammonia: 0, Nitrite:0 and Nitrate: 40!!. Anyways what is my next step? Would you say do a partial water change? (What percentage) and then when could I add my first fish?

Thanks!

BTW. Its a Fluval EVO 13

 

[jsker]

Add your clean crew based on the size of the system to help to start establishing your bio load and wait two weeks and one can add a couple of hardy coral to the system. I would wait another 3 to five weeks and add a couple of damsels or chromis and if they live, you are good to go. Do not add a bunch of fish all at once, wait for the system to adjust to the new bio load. If one goes to fast then the system get stressed and this is when loses start happening.