Testing water for the first time

[Jayson Ledbetter]

As of now my tank has been up and running for about two weeks with live sand. Going tomorrow evening to pick up 50 lbs Figi Tukani. What should my water be like with just two weeks of live sand. My Ph is around 8-8.2, and ammonia is .25, I will be testing the nitrates and nitrites in just a few minutes. And I've been running led lights 6-7 hours a night if that makes any difference. Thanks

 

[Oscar47f]

Looks good, you're still not done with the cycle.. the cycle is over when you get 0 ammonia and o nitrite.. you might get elevated nitrate which can be taken out when you do the first water change.. or the lights will cause algae to grow thereby reducing nitrate levels.. either way looks good keep it up!

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

As of now my tank has been up and running for about two weeks with live sand. Going tomorrow evening to pick up 50 lbs Figi Tukani. What should my water be like with just two weeks of live sand. My Ph is around 8-8.2, and ammonia is .25, I will be testing the nitrates and nitrites in just a few minutes. And I've been running led lights 6-7 hours a night if that makes any difference. Thanks

Update. Nitrate 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

As of now my tank has been up and running for about two weeks with live sand. Going tomorrow evening to pick up 50 lbs Figi Tukani. What should my water be like with just two weeks of live sand. My Ph is around 8-8.2, and ammonia is .25, I will be testing the nitrates and nitrites in just a few minutes. And I've been running led lights 6-7 hours a night if that makes any difference. Thanks

Update ammonia is now .25-.50
Nitrate 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm

I'm guessing live sand isn't much for cycling so hopefully when I get my live rock tomorrow my cycling will begin.

 

[Gustavo Martinez]

I thought when cycling your reef tank you're supposed to have the lights off? And if your using live rock that should be in there too unless it's cured?

 

[Oscar47f]

The lights are optional.. you will get algae growth though... which most people don't like.. and you put in your rock when you cycle yes but you can add it later too I've seen both done not sure of the affects though..

 

[FlyinBryan]

I think adding new rock will restart the cycling process.
Yeah keep lights off. IMO The only water parameter right now is just ensuring salinity levels, temp, and flow if you want to. After 45 days you should be at 0 ammonia. If you read any you have too much.
Also kick off the party with a bunch of dead shrimp.
But seriously just ignore it for a month and a half.

 

[arkareefo]

Use your live rock to cycle the tank...but be sure to cure the rock itself before adding it into the tank...you can also cure it in the tank but I don't recommend that...also do not think of adding your fish before a month.. Start by adding CUC after a two weeks or so...then you are done..

 

[tutmatt3]

Ok, since this hasn't been mentioned I feel I should:
Make SURE that you can move the sand out of the way (once you're ready to put the rock in), and have the rock sitting on the glass

Otherwise, your rock is sitting on sand... and just like you wouldn't build a house on sand, you want it on a solid foundation.
Water movement, animals, etc can knock your rocks down and cause it to break your glass, since it's on shifting sand instead of a solid foundation.

Just some .02

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm guessing live sand isn't much for cycling so hopefully when I get my live rock tomorrow my cycling will begin.

correct its not much but is cycling. If your adding live rock its technically cycling already. (skip cycling) You'll quite likely see a jump in the No3 and Po4 and possibly the ammonia depending on how long its been in water or how long it was out. In either case. After you add the live rock do not add bottled bacteria and wait 24hrs and test. Id leave the tank empty a week and test again. If the Ammonia and Nitrites are Zero add snails.

Also you should inspect the rock and scrub any algae off of it before it goes in the tank. A dip and short soak in a hydrogen peroxide solution would not hurt.

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]