New tank setup

[SarahM8722]

Hello everyone. I am in the process of my first saltwater aquarium. I am very open to any knowledgeable advice, hits or tips. I know patience is key. I am not rushing into stocking the tank. Here is what I have going on so far.
75 gallon tank. It has CaribSea live sand and 60 lbs of the dry live rock. It has been set up for 6 days now. I tested with the API master kit. I know not the best, just ordered a better quality kit. I have a ph of 8, ammonia is 0.25 ppm, nitrite is 0ppm and nitrate is 0ppm. I was expecting by now that I would see a rise in the nitrate or nitrite. Salinity is at 1.024 and temp is holding at 77.7 F. What’s everyone’s opinion. Like I said. I’m patient. Just want to know from someone with experience that I am on the right track.
Sarah

 

[revhtree]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!
What are you using to cycle the tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

The API Ammonia test is known to often read 0.25 ppm when there's little to no ammonia. What process did you use to cycle the tank? Did you add any bottled bacteria, and did you add a source of ammonia, such as bottled ammonium chloride, a piece of shrimp from the seafood market, or some fish food?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone. I am in the process of my first saltwater aquarium. I am very open to any knowledgeable advice, hits or tips. I know patience is key. I am not rushing into stocking the tank. Here is what I have going on so far.
75 gallon tank. It has CaribSea live sand and 60 lbs of the dry live rock. It has been set up for 6 days now. I tested with the API master kit. I know not the best, just ordered a better quality kit. I have a ph of 8, ammonia is 0.25 ppm, nitrite is 0ppm and nitrate is 0ppm. I was expecting by now that I would see a rise in the nitrate or nitrite. Salinity is at 1.024 and temp is holding at 77.7 F. What’s everyone’s opinion. Like I said. I’m patient. Just want to know from someone with experience that I am on the right track.
Sarah

If you added ammonia, the level will rise and then fall. When ammonia is .025 for 5 days steady and nitrate is 20 or below, you are cycled. Disregard nitrite which is freshwater specific

 

[Just John]

Hi Sarah! We're all glad you're here. This is going to be a lot of fun! My bit of advice is, once you have the tank up and running well, NEVER let the phosphates and nitrates sit at zero for long. You may get dino's and that can be a nightmare (that's not an exaggeration!). At least dino's are easy to prevent by keeping up nutrients. Also, buy a turkey baster. Here is a good parameters table for you: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/o...-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563/
Enjoy!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Sara, good advice above, glad you are here!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R! You've been given really good advice above.

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Hello Sarah . Welcome to Reef 2 Reef

 

[I never finish anythi]

Welcome Sarah . Great place is reef2reef.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Hello! You could put some fish food in there to raise those nutrient levels.
Also welcome to reef2reef

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Sarah. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[00W]

Welcome Welcome to R2R Sara!

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Shnetts]

Welcome!!!

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Hi Sara, welcome to R2R!