Few questions about new 2.5 nano

[moespeaking]

I just set up a 2.5 mini bow nano reef. Its only about a week and a half old. I started with sand from the reef tank at work. Couple days later I added 3.5 lbs of cured live rock. I have a peppermint shrimp, 2 blue legs, 1 nassarius(one died or was killed). Also a small frag of green zoas that are doing well. I tested the ammonia about a week ago and it was almost 0, tested it today and it was about .5. Should I do some water changes or just let it cycle through? Being a new tank I knew it would have a small cycle but thought it would be done in a few days since the rock and sand were live already.

Other issue is getting the ph up above 7.8-8.0. Its about 7.9 now. I use kent marine a+b I also used some searchem marine buffer. I figured the ammonia is keeping the ph down.

 

[jski711]

not sure on a tank that small unless you used water from the same tank you got the sand from, thats what i would have done. your tank needs to build up "good" bacteria and yes the cured lr and live sand helps but might not be enough.

 

[jski711]

i also don't think that ammonia keeps your ph down, don't quote me on this bc im not 100% but i've never heard of that.

 

[obsled]

I water changed as usual through my cycles and all went well. I have a 2.5-gallon pico that is going very well, about seven weeks. I do a 1-gallon water change every Sunday and otherwise almost no maintenance what so ever.