How quick to start water tests??

[bryan.wilson79]

I just got my tank setup over the weekend with live rock and sand. I have not added anything else thus far . I plan on adding some Bio Spira by next week. My question is how soon should I start testing and what tests? I obviously checked the salinity which is fine at 35ppm, but have not tested any other parameters...Please advise!!

 

[TatorTaco]

Hi there! I reckon you don't even need to bother testing the water until you introduce an ammonia source (such as Bio Spira). However, you MAY be able to detect a bit of ammonia now since you've added live rock.

I'm admittedly a bit confused on BS. I used it, and I'm not totally sure what benefit it served, other than boosting (or establishing) a small bacteria load.

 

[bryan.wilson79]

Yeah I've researched all the methods..phantom feeding..etc. All look okay but the biospira seemed the easiest. Im definitely open to suggestions or past experiences...Thanks!!

 

[Sk8r]

Fishfood is cheaper. If you have one live rock amid the others, just drop in a pinch of fishfood daily and test for nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia, for starters. You'll be fussing with the tank every day anyway.
I use salifert tests.

 

[bryan.wilson79]

Thanks...I thought about that one but just thought an additive might be "cleaner". I've used Pukani, reef saver, and Tonga dry live rock...I like the "natural approach better so if I get enough goes I would prefer that method...I'm not in a hurry at all just want to do it right..

 

[TatorTaco]

A lot of folks find it easy to throw in an uncooked shrimp (prawn) from your local grocery store. Take it out in a few days, and then you just let the bacteria do it's thing.

 

[linkedsilas]

you can always get baselines and maybe test the water initially to see what your are topping off with or replacing. Other than that, I never found a reason to do it unless youre putting something in.
If it is curiosity you can do it every few days to see where youre cycle is at. I like to do that with the tanks I use with turtles....I know thats not fish, but we are talking about Nitrogen cycle here

 

[bryan.wilson79]

I've read that cycling with food that you will be using is best...leading to another question..I plan to start with a small cleanup crew and clowns as my first fish...can I get suggestions on food preferences??...I hope I'm not outrunning the original question it at this point I'm a sponge for information!!

 

[MichelleMas]

Following for answers on food preferences.

 

[rjjr1963]

I started testing on day one. I wanted to see the ammonia spike and track other elements as they changed.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have not used chemical starters. I have done shrimp and fish food. My best results came from just adding pure ammonia. Any time I have done that, my tanks have cycled quickly. In addition, the pure ammonia makes a great test once you think you are cycled. Just add enough to get to 2 ppm and test 24 hours later. If ammonia is zero, your are cycled.

 

[joejenn06]

I have a ? If you use live rock do you still need to add a shrimp or fish food?

 

[JoeBatt]

Yes add some shrimp or the like...It will cycle with just live rock but slower. I just throw in a bit of salmon when I am making my dinner about the size of my thumbnail, it works perfectly, take it out a week later.

You can put it in now don't have to wait a week or anything.