After 6 years away from reef tank i am back !!

[FindingNem0]

After 6 years away from marine, but stayed with freshwater, decided it was time to get back to the salt hobby again.

Cycling my Waterbox 20 Cube AIO currently. Decided to do it properly this time and not buy live rock from lfs.

Used Dr tims one and only, day 4 and test is showing
2ppm ammonia
0.05 nirite
2ppm Nitrate

Did do a water change because I noticed my salinity was off the chart about 1.045. Very excited to be back !!!

Will be uploading more photos of the tank once it's fully cycled. Have never in my life cycled with bottled bacteria. So this is very interesting.

 

[1112-425XL]

Welcome back!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome back to the hobby!

 

[FindingNem0]

Thank you

Does anyone know if leaving the lights off for the first 1-3months help with the ugly stage? Or is that something we can't avoid.

 

[FindingNem0]

Better photos of my tank setup.

 

[Garf]

Did do a water change because I noticed my salinity was off the chart about 1.045.

How did that happen? I've got a link to Randy's DIY salinity solutions in my signature if you are interested.

 

[FindingNem0]

How did that happen? I've got a link to Randy's DIY salinity solutions in my signature if you are interested.

The refractometer I was using, wasn't reading it right. So I used my digital milwaukee and it was way off.

 

[revhtree]

Welcome back!!

 

[PharmrJohn]

Thank you

Does anyone know if leaving the lights off for the first 1-3months help with the ugly stage? Or is that something we can't avoid.

Absolutely that will help. You may still get an ugly stage, but it should be minimized. When I get my tank up and running again, the lights are staying off x2.5 or 3 months. And then only turned on when my parameters are such that algae can't grow out of control.