Parameters

[djmccauley]

I am new to the hobby. I just started to cycle my tank and have some questions. If the answers are here, please point me in the direction.

What is your daily/weekly/monthly, etc schedule to document parameters?

Thank you,

David J. McCauley, EdD
Coral Springs, FL 33065

 

[heathlindner25]

Daily, would include things like, cleaning the glass and topping off with fresh water..... possibly dosing but not in the beginning.
Weekly, would include testing.... monthly I usually clean equipment...hth

 

[Sk8r]

An ato (autotopoff) is a real good idea, even at this point. Salinity hopping about due to evaporation is a problem for life, and you can't be tied to that tank for the rest of your days.

Also start reading that very large sticky file set with the red arrow. ^ Lot to learn.

 

[heathlindner25]

Well ,I feed my fish everyday anyways,so..... I add some water while I'm there.

 

[heathlindner25]

The "reef chemistry forum" very top post labeled "articles", is a great place to get lost in reading,too...

 

[CStrickland]

Daily
- feed fish 3-4 times

Every other day
- feed non-photosynthetic coral
- replace filter socks (when all used up soak in 10% bleach overnight and hand wash in hot water, last rinse with dechlorinator)
- empty skimmer cup, wipe down neck and pour water into airline

Weekly
- blow off rocks with a small pump
- vacuum sand removing 10% of water, replace that water with new
- clean glass
- test: temp, sg, phos, nitrate, calcium, alk

Every other month (each week I add one of these to my weekly task)
- clean 1/2 the powerheads (run in vinegar for an hour and disassemble to wipe down)
- clean skimmer motor
- clean return pump
- clean gfo reactor, replace media
- vacuum sump
- tidy sump, calibrate thermometer & refractometer, check wires for wear, check drain screens for clogs & tears, dust inside lights with canned air (led with internal fan), test mg
- empty and rinse top off reservoir and clean pump (I run kalk)

I prolly tested parameters twice as often and fed half as much until my tank was all settled.