New Fluval 13.5 nano build

[Frop]

Photo of my 37 gallon reef

You're rushing really fast. It's like a week and a half and you have two corals and a fish. Are you sure the tank is done cycling?

 

[StevieGM]

Hi thanks for the input. The water I am using is pacific sea water sold by petco. From my reading people are saying it is ok to have some nitrate (some say <10 and some say < 2)
I believe I will have to lower dkh

 

[StevieGM]

I have confused my thread, my large reef is over 3 years old and my new reef is still cycling.
I will start a thread for my large reef and take it off this thread

 

[StevieGM]

Todays readings (week 2)

SPG 1.026
Ammonia 2.0
Nitrite 1
temp 78

 

[StevieGM]

Well I set up my tank on Jan 26 and on Feb 7 I have a reading of 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and < 10 nitrate. My spg is 1.026 and dkh is 12.0. Temp at 78.
My first question is how is this possible?
I cycled with 1 dead shrimp and then dosed with some ammonia, I used about 13 pounds of well established live rock and about 20 pounds of live sand.
I used Petco Pacific Sea water
My second question is am I cycled?

 

[StevieGM]

Forgot to mention that my ammonia had topped out at 6.0 and my nitrite had topped out at 2.0 and my ph is 8.4

 

[MermaidTail]

Well I set up my tank on Jan 26 and on Feb 7 I have a reading of 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and < 10 nitrate. My spg is 1.026 and dkh is 12.0. Temp at 78.
My first question is how is this possible?
I cycled with 1 dead shrimp and then dosed with some ammonia, I used about 13 pounds of well established live rock and about 20 pounds of live sand.
I used Petco Pacific Sea water
My second question is am I cycled?

Exciting! That's actually not totally surprising to me; my readings were similar when I started my 6g nano with established live rock/sand around day 7, but I wanted to remain vigilant and waited for two more weeks before considering it cycled and/or adding a CUC.

 

[StevieGM]

I am waiting another 2 weeks before stocking as well. Better safe than sorry.

 

[StevieGM]

Just sitting in a Chinese Restaurant DJ'ing a Karaoke and minding my own business when suddenly I decided to post this
Going on 3 weeks and the readings are
Ammonia 0
Nitrie 0
Nitrate .75
Phosphate .08
Calcium 350
dkh 12
spg 1.026
temp 78
Looking good

 

[StevieGM]

Tested Petco water I have been using
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
phosphate 0
calcium 350
dkh 14
spg 1.026

 

[StevieGM]

Test kit differences!
So far I have used API testing kits for no particular reason, just because they were readily available in my area.
I ordered Red Sea test kits for Nitrates, Phosphates and Calcium to try and there were huge differences.
I suspected operator error (that's me) so I did a series of three tests per kit and discovered that I could repeat the results.
I ordered a Seachem Phosphate kit and found that the results were in line with the Red Sea kits.
In conclusion I believe my actual readings are
Phosphate .36
Nitrates 4
Calcium 320
spg 1.026
everything else is suspect

 

[Steven Der-Garabedian]

Just added a Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0 to both of my Evo's and dialed the flow down a little; much better than stock pump and fit easily with a little maneuvering - no modifications required.

I was looking at this pump to replace the stock one. Are you getting much better flow? And it fit well in there?

Thanks. Steve

 

[StevieGM]

Thank you for input on the pump! After asking around it seems to be the recommended replacement.

 

[StevieGM]

Added first fish to tank Indigo Dottyback
Also cuc 6 Astrea snails, 6 Cerith Snails and 2 Nassarius Snails
Working on media basket to replace foam block

 

[Katrina71]

Just added a Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0 to both of my Evo's and dialed the flow down a little; much better than stock pump and fit easily with a little maneuvering - no modifications required.

Are you by chance selling your stock pumps?

 

[Mikedawg]

Are you by chance selling your stock pumps?

Planned on keeping one for a back up; you're welcome to the other. Just pm me your address and I'll send it.