Testing and water changes while cycling?

[SHLove16]

Alright, my baby(12G nano cube) is cycling...I am waiting for water to settle before I get pictures. Already found a tiny white starfish hitchhiker (anisteria...spelling?). I have a few questions now....

First, when should I do my first tests and how often? Which ones should I test...Nitrite, nitrate, and ph? Any others?

Next, am I correct that my water temperature should be between 74-78? Or am I a little off?

Last but not least, should I change the water at all while it cycles or wait until it is done?

Sorry if these are newbie questions...just trying to clarify what I remember reading in order to make this exciting new hobby run as smoothly as possible.

Thanks ahead of time,

-Simon

 

[bertoni]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

That article covers all the water parameters. I use 82 F as the base temperature for my tanks. I'd test for ammonia, and do some changes if that got over, say, 0.5 ppm, as a rough estimate, if I had the energy. The water changes might save some animals on the rock and speed the process.

The star might be an Asterina or asterinid.

 

[SHLove16]

Thanks a lot fo that link!

Also, when is an appropriate time to add a clean up crew, and what should it probably consist of for a 12 gallon reef tank?

 

[bertoni]

I'd probably add 1-2 cerith snails after ammonia was zero for 2-3 weeks. That is likely enough for that size tank.