Hello everyone! I just wanted some people's opinions/advice on how I have started my tank. I understand that there are many ways to start and cycle, it is all new to me. Currently, I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 tank with the following upgrades:
-Syncra Silent 0.5
-Cobalt 75 watt heater
-Tunze Nano ATO
I do plan on upgrading the lid/cover and lighting setup (to an AI Prime) later down the road. Inside the tank, I have added 1.5-2in of CaribSea Fiji Pink sand (washed with reef water at local fish shop), 2 pieces of dry rock, and 2 pieces of wet live rock from my LFS. Lastly, I added Brightwell MicroBacter QuikCycl (recommended doses) to start the cycle. So far, everything looks to be alright, however, my ammonia is around 3-4.0ppm and nitrate of about 5+ppm. I am not sure if these are good number or too high, but over the past 5 days they haven't changed much. I was possibly thinking about adding a bacteria product to help bring down the ammonia, but I am unsure. My water temperature has been at 77-78 degrees F. Salinity is at 1.025 SG. I have been leaving my light on white for a few hours and then changing it to blue for the rest of the day. I think I may have been leaving it on for too long, as you, unfortunately, cannot adjust the brightness of the stock Fluval light.
Lastly, my latest concern has been a green-ish hair-like coat that has been developing on one of my live rocks. I am unsure if it is some type of algae or something else. Should I leave this piece of rock in my tank? Or remove it to prevent spreading? Or is this just part of cycling (the ugly stage) and I shouldn't worry too much? I will attach an image below.
Thank you!
-Syncra Silent 0.5
-Cobalt 75 watt heater
-Tunze Nano ATO
I do plan on upgrading the lid/cover and lighting setup (to an AI Prime) later down the road. Inside the tank, I have added 1.5-2in of CaribSea Fiji Pink sand (washed with reef water at local fish shop), 2 pieces of dry rock, and 2 pieces of wet live rock from my LFS. Lastly, I added Brightwell MicroBacter QuikCycl (recommended doses) to start the cycle. So far, everything looks to be alright, however, my ammonia is around 3-4.0ppm and nitrate of about 5+ppm. I am not sure if these are good number or too high, but over the past 5 days they haven't changed much. I was possibly thinking about adding a bacteria product to help bring down the ammonia, but I am unsure. My water temperature has been at 77-78 degrees F. Salinity is at 1.025 SG. I have been leaving my light on white for a few hours and then changing it to blue for the rest of the day. I think I may have been leaving it on for too long, as you, unfortunately, cannot adjust the brightness of the stock Fluval light.
Lastly, my latest concern has been a green-ish hair-like coat that has been developing on one of my live rocks. I am unsure if it is some type of algae or something else. Should I leave this piece of rock in my tank? Or remove it to prevent spreading? Or is this just part of cycling (the ugly stage) and I shouldn't worry too much? I will attach an image below.
Thank you!