Cycling
- Thread starter hades302
- Start date
kraze3
New member
You need to test for ammonia. You will see it rise and then fall back to zero. After it hits zero wait a week to be sure and the cycle is done. I dont mean to sound harsh but while your tank is cycling read all that you can. The stickes at the top of this forum are a great place to start.
Ditch the hydrometer and get a refractometer. Hydrometers are notorious for bad readings.
Ditch the hydrometer and get a refractometer. Hydrometers are notorious for bad readings.
My kit doesnt test for nitrites and ammonia.
This is it http://www.petmountain.com/shop/large/test-kits/511371/reef-master-test-kit.jpg
This is it http://www.petmountain.com/shop/large/test-kits/511371/reef-master-test-kit.jpg
i keep seeing new reefers make these simple mistakes really, sorry to sound harsh buddy, basically i wish i could have got hold of you before you added water, the best method is to buy 3 test kits to start, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. you test every day for ammonia and nitrite, as mentioned above they will rise and rise and then start to fall, nitrate will the start to rise, when ammonia and nitrite have been 0 for 2-3 days then do a 20-25% water change to dilute the nitrate formed, this can take 1 day to 6 weeks depending on your rock and filteration methods, some folk with cured live rock never see a cycle, however most of us do, and testing is the only way, you can still get the test kits you need and test now, but it may be you never see ammonia and nitrite as you may be cycled, we and you just dont know really, i do wish you the very best of luck and im delighted you have joined us here on the forum
[welcome]
[welcome]
Its a Aquis 1000 100L/hr 200-330L up to 200L 1.8 m 6.5 L 240V/50Hz 20.5 W
webpage here http://www.aquaone.co.uk/filter_external.php
its the 1000
yep just a glass tank 6 foot with crushed coral been going for 1 week.
webpage here http://www.aquaone.co.uk/filter_external.php
its the 1000
yep just a glass tank 6 foot with crushed coral been going for 1 week.
ok, well i know you have spent some money and wont like this, but you will not succeed with a reef with your current set up, all is not lost though, you can still use what you have bought, im going to make some suggestions, and will re-post in about 5 mins when ive made my morning coffee,lol
ok heres my views.
i suggest you shut the tank down now, and start again, its only been a week and even though its painful you will thank me for it in 3 months time, so strip the tank, chuck out the crushed coral and wash out the tank.
then go to your local store or a store and get 150-200 pounds of rock, place in the tank and when your happy with the look add 1" of aragonite medium grade sand around it, try using ro-di water from the start as well, you will also need to purchase at least 2 powerful powerheads for your tank, id suggest 2 modded tunze 6025s or 2 tunze 6045s, you can use the canister but run it empty at this stage, it will be useful later for chemical filteration, but thats a while away yet. when you position the rock try to keep it away from the glass, this will help the flow and will be easier to clean the glass in the future. you will need 3 test kits to start as well ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and follow the earlier instructions i posted on here.
this is painful and costly i know, but in the long run is essential, you will not have success with your current set up, crushed coral is crap tbh, and you have no rock or flow, sorry to be the bearer of bad news buddy, but honestly i think you need to start again.
let me know your thoughts on the matter, and theres still plenty more i can tell you as well but im starting with the basics to get you going
michael
i suggest you shut the tank down now, and start again, its only been a week and even though its painful you will thank me for it in 3 months time, so strip the tank, chuck out the crushed coral and wash out the tank.
then go to your local store or a store and get 150-200 pounds of rock, place in the tank and when your happy with the look add 1" of aragonite medium grade sand around it, try using ro-di water from the start as well, you will also need to purchase at least 2 powerful powerheads for your tank, id suggest 2 modded tunze 6025s or 2 tunze 6045s, you can use the canister but run it empty at this stage, it will be useful later for chemical filteration, but thats a while away yet. when you position the rock try to keep it away from the glass, this will help the flow and will be easier to clean the glass in the future. you will need 3 test kits to start as well ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and follow the earlier instructions i posted on here.
this is painful and costly i know, but in the long run is essential, you will not have success with your current set up, crushed coral is crap tbh, and you have no rock or flow, sorry to be the bearer of bad news buddy, but honestly i think you need to start again.
let me know your thoughts on the matter, and theres still plenty more i can tell you as well but im starting with the basics to get you going
michael
Heinz
Active member
if you used tap water, you need to replace the water with ro/di water
i would also take the crushe coral out, and would run activated carbon in your canister filter,
get your water parameters to
salinity 1.026
dkh 6.5- 7.5
mag 1350
cal 400- 450
ph 8
get a good skimmer and lights
then add life rock,
thats when the cycle will start, give it some time,
i know waiting is hard, but 2 month is a good time to let the tank run with just the LR - skimmer and lights
i would also take the crushe coral out, and would run activated carbon in your canister filter,
get your water parameters to
salinity 1.026
dkh 6.5- 7.5
mag 1350
cal 400- 450
ph 8
get a good skimmer and lights
then add life rock,
thats when the cycle will start, give it some time,
i know waiting is hard, but 2 month is a good time to let the tank run with just the LR - skimmer and lights
