22 gallon Beginner tank cycle & specs

[amornn]

Setting up a new saltwater tank, not sure if I’m missing anything.
How long does cycle usually take. First saltwater tank.
Currently using hygger test strips, not sure how reliable it is.
Living in Bangkok, Thailand. Temps too high?

Tank Specifications – Saltwater Nano Reef Build

Tank Details:


• Tank Size: 85L (approx. 22 gallons)


• Dimensions: 60cm x 35cm x 40cm


• Aquascape: Dry rock with epoxy bonding





Equipment List:


• Protein Skimmer: Bubble Magus QQ1 (External Nano Skimmer)


• Wave Maker: Jebao MLW-10 (Smart Wave Maker)


• Auto Top-Off (ATO): Wajababy HD-Q-MT02 (Automatic Replenishment Bucket)


• Macro Algae Reactor: Reptibique Reactor with Chaetomorpha inside


• Cooling Fan: Chihiros Cooling Fan (Temperature Control)


• Filter System: Sun Sun HBL-803 (Hang-On-Back Filter)


• Filter Media: Aquario Neo Pure (Biological and Mechanical Filtration)


• Lighting: Blue LED Reef Lighting



Livestock (Future Plans):


• Clean-up Crew (CUC): Snails, hermits (to be added)


• First Fish: (Planned after cycling)


• Corals: (Planned after stable water parameters)





Current Status:


• Cycling Start Date: 28-Dec-2024


• Additives Used:


• Seachem Stability (Dosed Daily)


• Zeostart (3 Drops Daily)


• Current Readings (from test strips):


• pH: ~7.2


• Ammonia: 0.5 ppm


• Nitrite: 0 ppm


• Nitrate: 10-20 ppm


• KH (Carbonate Hardness): ~40 mg/L


• Total Alkalinity: ~80 mg/L


• Temperature: 23.7°C (Maintained by Cooling Fan)


• Salinity: 32 ppt (Last checked 2 days ago)





Additional Notes:


• Running skimmer 24/7 for optimal nutrient export.


• Macro algae reactor running with chaetomorpha to help control nitrates.


• Wave maker positioned to minimize dead spots and maximize flow.


• No heater installed, relying on the Chihiros fan for temperature regulation.


• Currently no livestock added—waiting for full cycle completion.

 

[fishywishy]

You’re probably almost finished with the cycle, in a week or two you should be finished. Test strips are usually very inaccurate so it hard to be sure.

Your temp is fine.

Everything else also looks good.

 

[amornn]

You’re probably almost finished with the cycle, in a week or two you should be finished. Test strips are usually very inaccurate so it hard to be sure.

Your temp is fine.

Everything else also looks good.

Found this on sand today, ChatGPT said diatoms
Also new temps with max going up to 27.7
Worried about summer

 

[reefmaster70]

isn't pH of 7.2 way way too low for a saltwater tank? I've always thought it needed to be in the 8.0 - 8.4 range.