Neeed help beginner here! Lol

ReefBoy8

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Hi everyone, I need a little help if anyone would be so kind, I new to all this so maybe a silly question for most on here but I’ve just started my first ever tank yesterday and I’m on the 2nd day of cycling, however I did use the dr tims all in one, so I’m thinking how long do I need to cycle before I put my first fish in? And also when do I need to start testing the water for ammonia nitrates and nitrites? I’ve only tested the water salinity atm which comes in at around 35 ppt which I think I’m right by saying is on check. Thanks in advance for a y advice guys I’m waiting
 

lapin

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You added Dr Tims and some ammonia to grow the bacteria. What is the ammoina level now? Dr Tims recommends 1ppm to 2ppm
 

Jekyl

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You added Dr Tims and some ammonia to grow the bacteria. What is the ammoina level now? Dr Tims recommends 1ppm to 2ppm
+1 and I recommend salifert test kits
 

JumboShrimp

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Section 5 is about cycling.
 
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ReefBoy8

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You added Dr Tims and some ammonia to grow the bacteria. What is the ammoina level now? Dr Tims recommends 1ppm to 2ppm
I added dr tims all in one yesterday day 1 and I’m asking how long do I need to cycle before adding my first fish? And I don’t know my ammonia levels as I haven’t tested any of the parameters yet only water salinity??
 
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ReefBoy8

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lapin

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If you dont test ammonia then you have no idea if the tank can process the ammonia caused by feeding fish.
This is what cycling is all about
 
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ReefBoy8

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If you dont test ammonia then you have no idea if the tank can process the ammonia caused by feeding fish.
This is what cycling is all about
Hi Lapin, thanks for your reply, yes I completely understand you have to test your tank but as I’ve just started I weren’t sure of when I was supposed to start testing. But I’ve been told now to test regularly through the cycle period. So I test the ammonia today using the api master saltwater test kit and it’s at 0.50 ppm on the chart I know that’s not where it should be as I’ve spoken to my LFS today but they have said during a cycle the tank will spike and go up and down and to do a water change and just be patient. If you could give me any more advice that would be much appreciated thanks
 

lapin

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GeoSquid

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I've moved a lot and started 6 saltwater tanks from scratch. My advice.....skip the fake bottles of crap, put in a raw piece of shrimp and wait a month before putting anything in the tank. "Real" live rock helps also. Most of the rock I see at LFS are just wet dry rock.
 

mike89t

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High pressure shells: Do you look for signs of stress in the invertebrates in your reef tank?

  • I regularly look for signs of invertebrate stress in my reef tank.

    Votes: 30 31.3%
  • I occasionally look for signs of invertebrate stress in my reef tank.

    Votes: 24 25.0%
  • I rarely look for signs of invertebrate stress in my reef tank.

    Votes: 18 18.8%
  • I never look for signs of invertebrate stress in my reef tank.

    Votes: 24 25.0%
  • Other.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
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