My 10 gallon nano! (up for about 1 and a haft weeks)

[KoaH]

I've had this tank for around 1 and a haft weeks i added a whole bottle of Bio-spyra and the ammonia and nitrates are finaly going up i test about once a day havent done any water changes yet though will it mess up the cycle?

Im planning to add
1x clownfish
1x some type of watchmen goby
1x skunk cleaner shrimp
3x hermit crabs
1x Some type of pistol shrimp
2-3x astralis snail (sorry if i didint spell that right)
Some mushroom coral and maybe some zoas and frogspawn
I'm gonna do a 50% water change in a few days if all the tests look good im gonna add fish

 

[mcgyvr]

You must wait until nitrites and ammonia are zero.
Then do water changes to reduce nitrates to the desired acceptable level..

Then you can start adding things.. slowly.

 

[KoaH]

Do the nitrites and ammonia just go away by themself? and wont the 50% water change remove all of it

 

[mcgyvr]

Yes.. Thats part of cycling a tank..
Please start learning how to properly maintain a saltwater tank..
Research/learn BEFORE you do something..
Start here...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

 

[sde1500]

Nano pictures to go with the nano tank haha. Welcome to reef central. I'd echo mcgyvr, no water changes until you only read Nitrates. For hermit crabs, I'd recommend scarlet, they aren't crazy snail murderers. As for fish, with such a small tank, adding one at a time is probably best. Clowns are pretty hardy, so might help to add one of those first. They are pretty forgiving as far as fish go, so a great first fish. Though may get a little territorial if you let it be the only fish for too long.

 

[mcgyvr]

I will say though that I have no problems doing water changes during a tank cycling process..
Its a great way to keep nitrates low during the process and not have to work so hard after to get them down from much higher levels..

Others say it extends the process and to not do so..

I have no problems with it..

 

[KoaH]

Okay thanks I'm still new to the SW hobby I'll make sure to read that thanks!

 

[KoaH]

SO how long will only nitrates take 1-2 weeks?

 

[mcgyvr]

Okay thanks I'm still new to the SW hobby I'll make sure to read that thanks!

There is TONS of information out there.. The best thing you can do is take in as much of it as you can.. Just like anything else in life..
Your success rate is much better if you know what you are doing first..

 

[sde1500]

SO how long will only nitrates take 1-2 weeks?

There is no set timeline. Could be a few days to a few weeks. Just test consistently and you'll get there.

 

[KoaH]

I'll check it daily I guess

 

[MuShu]

I'll check it daily I guess

Honestly, every other day or so it fine. It could still easily be 3-5 more weeks before you are done cycling, and that's a lot of tests down the drain.

 

[Shwimy]

patients dont rush!

 

[LarryZ]

Yes patience is key. A lot easier said than done for me though. I let my tank cycle for two months before adding fish. I wish I had waited longer to let the inverts establish for I used dry rock seeded with a little bit of live rock.

Things are going well, I just wish I was more patient letting the dry rock convert to live rock. The critters are just as much fun as the fish.

 

[LarryZ]

Also what happens to the ammonia and nitrite is that the bacteria in the rock converts the ammonia to nitrite and then the nitrite to nitrates. Water changes are needed to get rid of the nitrates though I read in well established systems, there is bacteria in the live rock that converts the nitrates to N2 gas.

Pretty cool.

 

[bcb577]

Hi,and WELCOME! While your tank is cycling start reading about the process,my first tank was and is my 10 gallon nano! It's now been up for a year and a half.just remember,changes happen fast in a tiny tank.get a good test kit,and use it.I do 20% water changes a week and have had great success.add your fish and critters SLOWLY.it's a lot of work but I actually enjoy the weekly changes and getting it all cleaned up,take your time and like others have Saud,patients is the key,and research EVERYTHING.