10 Gal Tank Startup!

[Taiga2003]

Hi! Just purchased a 10 gallon reef tank here’s my setup specs thus far:

Equipment

Light: Wing nano Marine
Heater: 10 gal adjustable
ATO: Coming soon!
Filter: Filter sock
Media: Ceramic rings

Interior

Live sand
Live rock

This build was set up just minutes ago! Per my research it must cycle. During this phase I’ll be conducting water changes and testing the parameters along with monitoring my salinity via a refractometer.

What other practices should I apply to my routine during cycling to ensure my tank is loved.

 

[JTP424]

You really won't need to do water changes during the cycle!! It may extend the cycle period :)
Excited to follow along your journey!

 

[Taiga2003]

You really won't need to do water changes during the cycle!! It may extend the cycle period :)
Excited to follow along your journey!

Thank you so much! :)

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to Reef2Reef, be sure to check out this thread below!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[get-salty]

You really won't need to do water changes during the cycle!! It may extend the cycle period :)
Excited to follow along your journey!

Well, once there is zero ammonia with little nitrate, you want to do a WC.

 

[JTP424]

Well, once there is zero ammonia with little nitrate, you want to do a WC.

Which would mean the cycle is complete! So yes.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Maybe the water is cloudy but I don;t see any rock in the tank? Rock is the most important part of the tank, the purpose of cycling the tank is really to cycle the rocks (but again it might just be cloudy water). This is a good article that explains the basics. Good luck.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Taiga2003]

Maybe the water is cloudy but I don;t see any rock in the tank? Rock is the most important part of the tank, the purpose of cycling the tank is really to cycle the rocks (but again it might just be cloudy water). This is a good article that explains the basics. Good luck.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Somehow when adding the CaribSea sand it blew up the residual dust contained in the sand. I heard somewhere that you can wash the live sand but I was hesitant to do so.

Yes there’s a lil live rock in there :)

 

[get-salty]

Somehow when adding the CaribSea sand it blew up the residual dust contained in the sand. I heard somewhere that you can wash the live sand but I was hesitant to do so.

Yes there’s a lil live rock in there :)

You dont want to wash live sand as its loaded with beneficial bacteria. Might need a small power head to get things flowing.

 

[Fish Fan]

Live sand
Live rock

This build was set up just minutes ago! Per my research it must cycle.

I agree, I can't see any rock??

What exactly did you use for rock? Was it wet rock from a good local fish store, or was it something like the CaribSea "Life Rock"?

It's fine to rinse CaribSea "live" sand-in-a-bag with either tap water, RO water, or saltwater. These sands are not really "alive" like a true live sand, so many rinse them just to get the silt out, which will subside in a couple of days either way

 

[Taiga2003]

Live sand
Live rock

This build was set up just minutes ago! Per my research it must cycle.

I agree, I can't see any rock??

What exactly did you use for rock? Was it wet rock from a good local fish store, or was it something like the CaribSea "Life Rock"?

It's fine to rinse CaribSea "live" sand-in-a-bag with either tap water, RO water, or saltwater. These sands are not really "alive" like a true live sand, so many rinse them just to get the silt out, which will subside in a couple of days either way

The rock was from an established fish store :) It was chosen from a tank that was 6 years old!

 

[Fish Fan]

The rock was from an established fish store :) It was chosen from a tank that was 6 years old!

Great! Than you should be more or less cycled already