I have returned to the hobby after 3 year hiatus. I had a few successful nano tanks in the past. It’s taken a bunch of research to remember everything. Glad to be back, however it seems I’ve made a rookie move.
I discovered an issue cycling my new IM 30L. I went slow, and used live sand (unfortunately no LR), dosed Turbostart, and watched the tank cycle until I tested 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and a small amount of nitrates. Added 2 fish (Pygmy angel, damsel). A few snails and blue legs. Tested fine. I felt after 90 days since the setup it was ready for a few easy LPS.
I stupidly tested after I bought the LPS (birds nest, basto, zoa, and a favia) before going in the tank and saw massive 0.5 ammonia spike. I retested and received the same result. 0.5 ammonia, 0 Nitrates, 0 Nitrites. I didn’t have a choice but to put the corals in the tank anyway.
Was I fooled by Turbostart? I never used it before but figured I’d use it because I had no LR to cycle with.
So I panicked, did a small one gallon water change (that’s all I had), and put chemipure blue in the filter media rack. Everything seems to be fine. I don’t want to loose what I have in the tank. I’m ticked and need some advice. Thank you guys.
I discovered an issue cycling my new IM 30L. I went slow, and used live sand (unfortunately no LR), dosed Turbostart, and watched the tank cycle until I tested 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and a small amount of nitrates. Added 2 fish (Pygmy angel, damsel). A few snails and blue legs. Tested fine. I felt after 90 days since the setup it was ready for a few easy LPS.
I stupidly tested after I bought the LPS (birds nest, basto, zoa, and a favia) before going in the tank and saw massive 0.5 ammonia spike. I retested and received the same result. 0.5 ammonia, 0 Nitrates, 0 Nitrites. I didn’t have a choice but to put the corals in the tank anyway.
Was I fooled by Turbostart? I never used it before but figured I’d use it because I had no LR to cycle with.
So I panicked, did a small one gallon water change (that’s all I had), and put chemipure blue in the filter media rack. Everything seems to be fine. I don’t want to loose what I have in the tank. I’m ticked and need some advice. Thank you guys.