First Day Readings......Please help review

[term_paint]

Yesterday I setup a 55 gallon bowfront with 21lbs of live rock cured and 20 lbs of reef rock. I have live carbi sea sand. These are my reading after 24 hrs and i expected higher readings....

High Range PH 7.8

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 20ppm

Temp 75

Salt 1.022


Any suggestions or is everything ok....I am very new but trying to learn. Thanks for any suggestions or help.

 

[insacron]

Did you put anything in there to help jump start the cycle?

 

[term_paint]

??

??

I did not add anything and was thinking that on the way home tomorrow i would stop and get a deli shrimp or two and throw them in to rot...Would this jump start it..

 

[kfisc]

Yor temp is a bit low (78-80) and specific gravity may be better at 1.025/6 (depending on what you want to keep), and PH would be better at 8.2 or so - but aside from raising the temp and salinity, it's much too early to worry about any of it; give it several weeks to get started cycling.

 

[lockekeyy]

Yeah, I would agree with kfisc. At the minimun, I would think a 2 week cycle. I got a week cycle on my 72g using about 15lbs of live sand from an established tank, and a mix of 60lbs base rock, and 30lbs live rock from an established tank. Just info to help you gauge how long the cycle might be, but eveything tank is different. Just keep testing.

 

[baitshopboy]

The live rock should get the cycle started but it wouldnt hurt to toss some shrimp in there. I didnt even bother testing for a month. Just give it some time.

 

[term_paint]

I agree

I agree

I will not rush this at all. I just wanted a second opinion guess i am just nervous. Really dont want to do anything wrong and possibly hurt some live stock...This tank can sit as long as it takes to cycle. I am not rushing...

 

[crvz]

looks good so far, I'd get the temp and salinity up too. the live rock indeed should be plenty to get the cycle going, but some people add a couple pieces of raw shrimp from the supermarket in the tank to help (only for a couple hours/overnight). in your case, I dont think it's necessary. good luck!