Reef Up and Running

[reeftankrookie]

I'm on Day 9 and I just started getting some diatom bloom happening. I'm not mad about it, I've read that it usually happens around the 1-2 week time period and will go away naturally as the beneficial bacteria begin to culture on the live rock and sand. I also just raised my LEDs up to 14" off the surface of the water and I'm so much happier with the light dispersion.

I've been doing regular water tests and yesterday's results were:

PH: 8.3
Amm: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phos: 0.25
Iron: 0
Kh: 130
Calcium: 400

I've been dosing Stability since day 1, so I was told I may not see the large spikes in the Nitrites/ Nitrates...so wondering when would the cycle will be finished. Also on a related note should my fish fish be added before the clean up crew or vis versa, everyone has their opinions.

 

[hann1bal]

I would add the CUC after the fish. I'm no expert but I think its better to let a little bloom happen to make sure the CUC has food to eat or you'll have snails getting eaten by crabs, etc.

Good luck and best advice is to stay consistent with water changes.

 

[JUNBUG361]

21 days to go. Water change after cycle, wait 1 week then add cuc & monitor them. Re test water parameter couple days after cuc.