My 1st Saltwater Journey (29 gallon) Now 40g AIO

[JL15219]

I did have a similar situation with mine. But it looked like it had been on the shelf at my LFSfor awhile. It wasn't out of datebook they keep the store over 80 degrees year round and I'm sure it had been shipped in the summer. But I think I gave it 5 days and added some Bio-spora and things started working. Idk if it took awhile to kick in or if the Buo-spora helped but it didn't hurt it.

Oh Okay I will let it do is thing for a few more days....you used all dry rock? You think the sand will help start things up?

 

[CrimsonTide]

I would put the sand in. Bacteria live on sand particles as well in the rock. But it won't keep it from cycling.

 

[JL15219]

Day 3 and 4 cycle reading:
March 12: Ammonia 1.5 Nitrite 0
March 13: Ammonia 0.25 Nitrite 0.1 Nitrate 2

Added more of the Dr.Tim's ammonia

 

[CrimsonTide]

Well looks like it is starting to drop and some nitrite has formed thats good. I think dr Tim's says at a certain day to add some more ammonia. Can't remember but looks like you're on your way.

 

[JL15219]

Well looks like it is starting to drop and some nitrite has formed thats good. I think dr Tim's says at a certain day to add some more ammonia. Can't remember but looks like you're on your way.

Yeah I think it says to add on the 3 day but I still had the same ammonia as day 2 so decided to wait another day....hop I'm not messing it up. I'm basically only adding when the ammonia goes down. Not sure about the Nitrite but the wife said it had a slight pink hue I didn't see it, but I also did Nitrate test that one I did see a pink hue....

 

[CrimsonTide]

If you're not taking pictures of your test everyday already I would. It makes it much easier to compare the day before when you have the day before picture. But I would say you can probably add the extra ammonia tomorrow back up to whatever The Dr. Tim's says. Maybe its only 1ppm I dont remember. It will probably be like a half dose of 30 or 40 drops.

 

[JL15219]

If you're not taking pictures of your test everyday already I would. It makes it much easier to compare the day before when you have the day before picture. But I would say you can probably add the extra ammonia tomorrow back up to whatever The Dr. Tim's says. Maybe its only 1ppm I dont remember. It will probably be like a half dose of 30 or 40 drops.

Okay I will try to take the pics from now on. But I already added the ammonia today...the drops are 4 drops per gallon according to the bottle. That's what I add the 4 drops per gallon

 

[CrimsonTide]

Ok sounds good. I didn't know if you had added it or not yet. But yeah I like to take pics so I can see the difference. Even if you don't think it looks different check the day before pic and it might be. Sounds like your bacteria is working so you might get lucky and it be done in the 14 days Dr. Tim's predicts.

 

[JL15219]

Ok sounds good. I didn't know if you had added it or not yet. But yeah I like to take pics so I can see the difference. Even if you don't think it looks different check the day before pic and it might be. Sounds like your bacteria is working so you might get lucky and it be done in the 14 days Dr. Tim's predicts.

Hope so let's keep our fingers crossed lol

 

[JL15219]

Day 5: Cycle Readings
Added the Dr. Tim's ammonia at 4 drops per gallon.
Ammonia back to 1.5

Nitrite : I see 0 wife sees.1

Nitrate: really hasn't changed from the 2 reading

phosphate : between 0.03 and 0.1

I tought my ammonia would be lower even though I added it last night, since the bacteria should be growing right? I didn't add any more ammonia tonight.

 

[CrimsonTide]

This should help the bacteria build up more. Also should help nitrite build up to spike and turn into nitrate. Was it that same color last night after you added the ammonia?

 

[JL15219]

This should help the bacteria build up more. Also should help nitrite build up to spike and turn into nitrate. Was it that same color last night after you added the ammonia?

I didn't measure ammonia right after adding the ammonia only right before....I totally dropped the ball on that...now that I think about it didn't measure right after adding the ammonia the first time either

 

[CrimsonTide]

I didn't measure ammonia right after adding the ammonia only right before....I totally dropped the ball on that...now that I think about it didn't measure right after adding the ammonia the first time either

Yeah thats what you want to do is measure it anytime before and after you add it. You need to wait like an hr after adding so the tank has time to cycle over a couple of times. But the fact that ammonia was down enough to add more per the directions I think you're in good sailing. But you could have added enough last night to be 2ppm and today it is at 1.5ppm? So it might have gone down. Theres not enough built up to drop it 2ppm in 24hrs yet.

 

[JL15219]

Yeah thats what you want to do is measure it anytime before and after you add it. You need to wait like an hr after adding so the tank has time to cycle over a couple of times. But the fact that ammonia was down enough to add more per the directions I think you're in good sailing. But you could have added enough last night to be 2ppm and today it is at 1.5ppm? So it might have gone down. Theres not enough built up to drop it 2ppm in 24hrs yet.

Okay I will do that next time I add it again....I don't know why I didn't the first two times totally forgot....wish the test kits were easier to read

 

[CrimsonTide]

I agree its the easiest way to read them. Compare them to previous lol.

 

[JL15219]

I agree its the easiest way to read them. Compare them to previous lol.

Lol have you used any others that are a little easier to read?

 

[CrimsonTide]

Lol have you used any others that are a little easier to read?

I havent. Hanna testers are the best. Salifert is one of the better for what you're doing. But for reef testing the hanna testers are digital.

 

[JL15219]

I havent. Hanna testers are the best. Salifert is one of the better for what you're doing. But for reef testing the hanna testers are digital.

Oh yeah that's what I have read to go with hanna...

 

[JL15219]

Well days 6 to 9 of cycle absolutely nothing has changed:
Ammonia 1.5, Nitrite 0 to.1, and Nitrate 2
But I was able to find a lfs that sells live rock. I did have to drive close to 2 hours rounds but I picked up a couple of pounds of live rock. I added them to the tank last night hope it also helps the cycle.

Also this is why I'm not allowed to go to the LFS by myself! Lol

Here it is assembled :

Hopefully this weekend I can transfer everything from the 29 gallon to the new 40 gallon AIO....Also thinking about starting a thread in the AIO thread and just place a link there to this one or just keep doing this one....any thoughts?


This was me yesterday lol

 

[CrimsonTide]

Well days 6 to 9 of cycle absolutely nothing has changed:
Ammonia 1.5, Nitrite 0 to.1, and Nitrate 2
But I was able to find a lfs that sells live rock. I did have to drive close to 2 hours rounds but I picked up a couple of pounds of live rock. I added them to the tank last night hope it also helps the cycle.

Also this is why I'm not allowed to go to the LFS by myself! Lol

Here it is assembled :

Hopefully this weekend I can transfer everything from the 29 gallon to the new 40 gallon AIO....Also thinking about starting a thread in the AIO thread and just place a link there to this one or just keep doing this one....any thoughts?


This was me yesterday lol

Use the 29 as a quarantine and cycle both. Lol but yeah you shouldn't go to the store on your own. Someone spent their stimulus money well though lol

I like the 40gallon though. What model and maker is it?

Move the sand and rock over to the 40gallon like two thirds of it and add use the 29 gallon to quarantine any fish you buy. You could also run both and have a reef and a fowlr tank. Theyre are some cool saltwater fish you can't keep in a reef. But I like the idea of at least using the 29 gallon as a hospital/quarantine at the least.