Smooth's 29 gallon build!

[SmoothSmoke]

I'd love to have a clam! That's probably way out of my expertise for the time being.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

My instant ocean swing hydrometer reads 1.026

My floating glass hydrometer reads 1.022

Needless to say, a refractometer will be purchased ASAP!

 

[SmoothSmoke]

My tap water is reading 1.004 using the instant ocean. I believe the glass hydro is correct. However, wont know till I order the refracto.

 

[vlangel]

I'd love to have a clam! That's probably way out of my expertise for the time being.

I am not finding a clam real difficult but you will definitely want your reef to mature and settle first. Like me your tank isn't large so a crocea makes the most sense as they stay small and grow slow. They are also the most sensitive though. Can't remember what lights you have but a crocea needs bright light. I have T5s and I have my clam up high. I believe they actually do best in water that is not pristine. I have 0 nitrates but I do have phosphates. I also have a DSB that adds fauna to the tank and may be nourishing my clam. I've had it 1 and a half years and its grown almost an inch so I feel like it is thriving.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

No lights as of yet. Photon 24 on its way. Hoping it has enough juice.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Day 3 of my cycle. I'm surprised to see nitrite so soon. Is that usual?

Ammonia = 4 ppm
Nitrite = 0.25 ppm

 

[vlangel]

That's moving through the cycle pretty well. I expect your ammonia will start to drop and nitrites should spike but usually the nitrites move to nitrates faster than the ammonia moved to nitrites. Looks like you are well on your way!

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Thats great news! Hopefully in a few weeks I can order my CUC.

 

[MrDJeep123]

My instant ocean swing hydrometer reads 1.026

My floating glass hydrometer reads 1.022

Needless to say, a refractometer will be purchased ASAP!

What is the intended temp for the float hydrometer? Temp affects salinity readings. Swing hydrometers aren't very accurate after a few uses. I can't remember where I read the article, but there were a few tests with them. Refractometer is certainly the way to go.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

What is the intended temp for the float hydrometer? Temp affects salinity readings. Swing hydrometers aren't very accurate after a few uses. I can't remember where I read the article, but there were a few tests with them. Refractometer is certainly the way to go.

Not sure what you mean by the temp on the float. The tanks temp is 80f. I did end up buying a refract but it wont get to me till next week.

 

[MrDJeep123]

Not sure what you mean by the temp on the float. The tanks temp is 80f. I did end up buying a refract but it wont get to me till next week.

Float hydrometers are calibrated to a specific temperature to be able to read most accurately. A few degrees in temperature variation between your tank and the hydrometer will affect how it reads. I don't know by how much, but since you noted the difference between the two readings, that would be the most likely cause as to why.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

You have me stumped. I purchased the floating hydro at Petco. I tossed the packaging already. Cant seem to find any info online on what temp it was calibrated at. We'll know more or less tomorrow which of the two is accurate, when my new refractometer comes in. Thanks for the help!

 

[SmoothSmoke]

4th day of cycling. Nitrites are going up, ammonia slight drop.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Figured I'd check the PH and Phosphates today.

PH tested between 7.8-8, a bit low?
Phosphates at .25 ppm

I did a light curing of my dry rock using lanthanum chloride for 2 weeks. Hopefully it worked and the phosphates stay close to where they're at!

 

[vlangel]

PH is OK and I wouldn't worry about it while you are cycling. My phosphates test between 1.0 and 2.0. For LPS and my clam that is good as they actually utilize phosphates as food. SPS might not do as well with phosphates that high but you can use phosphate removing media to help with that.

 

[ethridge78]

Getting close

 

[SmoothSmoke]

PH is OK and I wouldn't worry about it while you are cycling. My phosphates test between 1.0 and 2.0. For LPS and my clam that is good as they actually utilize phosphates as food. SPS might not do as well with phosphates that high but you can use phosphate removing media to help with that.

Great, but since it's on the low end, I'll monitor it closely once cycling is done.

Getting close

Hope so!

 

[SmoothSmoke]

My refractometer came in today. Compared all 3 meters.

Refractometer = 1.025
Instant Ocean swing arm = 1.025
Petco glass floating hydro = 1.024

My salinity seems to be in range!! One less thing to stress about.

Tested ammonia and nitrite....today is day 5.

ammonia = roughly 3ppm, a tad lighter than yesterday
nitrite = 1ppm

 

[revhtree]

Following!

 

[fishroomlady]

what did you use to start your cycle? Whatever you did, it's working great!