I haven’t talked water parameters and initial cycle, as this is so out of order all over the place.
From the beginning it was a super smooth cycle. I know the TBS rock and sand helped with this. We added the sand and rock on 11/22/24. I didn't want to invest in an ammonia tester, so I had LFS Aquaholics test it for me on 12/05/24: I had 0.25 ammonia and 20 nitrates so the cycle was wrapping up. I believe the minor die off from the live rock is just what is needed to help the cycle. I kept the lights off during this time. I was really trying to prevent the uglies, as they sap your soul of any aquarium enjoyment when bad - ask me how I know.
I know this is anecdotal, the tank water cleared dramatically after I added reef chowder to the tank.
I knew the pods would be a welcome addition and the native sponges would like a snack as well. They did; I like this product. I used again this week, and again the water the next day is clearer. I also purchased a few clean up crew animals while at the store, 5 red legged hermits, 4 bumble bee snails and two turbo snails. There was already a lot of hitchhiker CUC from the live rock, multiple snails and oh so many crabs. I never felt the algae was out of hand, but I was just noticing a little algae starting to grow.
I was holding steady, and I wanted to give it a month no lights, and no stock, to again prevent the uglies.
12/8/24, we went to another store Limited Edition Corals and I was so pleased they quarantine fish. We had already ordered from Dr Reef back on 11/25/24 but for future purchases we had this store.
We tested the water again for a base line at LE Coarals.
I ordered 4 Salifert test kits Mag, Ca, Nitrate, Phosphate.
We really like the staff at LE Corals. I was convinced to add some more bacteria to speed cycle up and drop nitrates. We added Fritz bacteria. I am mixed on this. I didn’t see any results testing that the Fritz altered my nitrates, which he was trying to bring down a bit more. It was a veer from the plan, an experiment.
He did feel I should turn on the lights at low intensity. So we did this. And I agree the timing of the clean up crew and adding light help balance the cycle. I did a 20% WC too.
I tester all my parameters at home
12/13/24
Water parameters:
SG 1.024, psu 31, ppt 32
Ca 390 (Salifert test)
Mg 1170
Nitrate 25
Phosphate 0.25
Alkalinity 7 (125ppm)
At this point I decided to experiment again I wanted to raise my Alk and Ca from the base line of the salt I used, Tropic Marine Pro. So I added a table spoon of kalwasser to my 10 gallon ato container.
It worked. Three days later:
Alk (165 ppm) 9.24 Alk
Nitrates 25
Phosphates 0.25
1.024 SG
I wanted to see the potency of the Kalkwasser before I had corals to get an idea of dosing amounts. I was surprised it went up so quickly.
I also wanted to increase my salinity too, and decided to start monitoring ppt as it is more accurate.
This got long so I can add more to another post.
Tank looks good through all this.
