Advice on going forward.

[SkeletalUnion]

I have purchased an Ar510 tank 75L, trickle filter system. I plan to run: A polyl filter, wool filter, carbon filter, with ceramic bio nodes. Plan to use dry rock and cycle it as it is cheaper and I'm a novice and would like to avoid complications of hitchhiker's. I also plan using 1" of aragonite sand. I plan to use xstream 3500 powerhead. Any advice on test kits, I plan to buy a refractometer salt and RO water, set up and cycle the dry rock for as long as it takes until the water parameters are correct. Will this work? Advice on species and quantity of fish I should have in the tank once I am ready also helpful.

Regards
Jim

 

[mcgyvr]

Yep.. But a refractometer..
API test kits are "ok" but not the best by far..

red sea, salifert, nyos are all fine/recommended..

As to fish.. Thats really mostly a personal preference and then just making sure you are meeting the "min tank size" recommendations,etc...

FWIW... Start your cycle by ghost feeding some flake food for a couple days or so or dosing ammonia (once or twice) up to 2ppm and see how long it takes to get down to 0.. And don't be afraid to do water changes during cycling to keep nitrates from building up to crazy high numbers..

 

[SkeletalUnion]

Thank you, what did you mean about refractometer?

 

[mcgyvr]

Thank you, what did you mean about refractometer?

Sorry.. typo.. should read "buy a refractometer"

 

[spartabeo]

thank you so much

 

[SkeletalUnion]

Sorry.. typo.. should read "buy a refractometer"

Ok thank you, another quick question. How often should i change the water during cycling and what % please?
Also im confused, when I top up water that has evaporated using ro water is it just with plain water or do I have to top up with salt mix. Obvioulsy with a water change I assume it is wih salt mix and ro water.

Regards