New tank syndrome

[Jakey_cakey1]

I’ve recently acquired a new tank testing kit where I have to mix water with other things to tell me if my water is okay the tank has been cycling more than 2 weeks but I have had a huge amonia spike I was hoping to add corals this weekend but with the amonia high I don’t want to kill anything I put in is this just new tank syndrome and will stabilise or is this something I should be worried about and do a water change or what not?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What do your test kits say? (pictures I mean)

 

[Tahoe61]

The tank is not yet cycled. Before spending money I would allow the tank more time to cycle.
Did you add any products such as Dr. Tim?
Did you use all dry rock and sand?

 

[Jakey_cakey1]

What do your test kits say? (pictures I mean)

Erm I don’t have any pictures but everything was fine apart from the amonia which was pretty much the worst it could be lol

The tank is not yet cycled. Before spending money I would allow the tank more time to cycle.
Did you add any products such as Dr. Tim?
Did you use all dry rock and sand?

And ahhh okay I was planning on waiting another 4/6 weeks anyway before adding stuff after the test results

 

[Subsea]

I’ve recently acquired a new tank testing kit where I have to mix water with other things to tell me if my water is okay the tank has been cycling more than 2 weeks but I have had a huge amonia spike I was hoping to add corals this weekend but with the amonia high I don’t want to kill anything I put in is this just new tank syndrome and will stabilise or is this something I should be worried about and do a water change or what not?

Not knowing your experience level or what huge ammonia spike means. Details matter: how did you cycle tank and what are the numbers for
Ammonia, nitrite & nitrate.

Also, adding coral 2 weeks after tank setup is not assured as safe. Your experience level at this point is critical

 

[Jakey_cakey1]

Not knowing your experience level or what huge ammonia spike means. Details matter: how did you cycle tank and what are the numbers for
Ammonia, nitrite & nitrate.

Also, adding coral 2 weeks after tank setup is not assured as safe. Your experience level at this point is critical

I am a newby

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

2 weeks is kind of early, I normally wait 3-4 weeks to add a fish. Corals should be added later once the tank has had time to mature.

But honestly test kits are super important in this hobby, if you can't read your test kit then buy another one. Especially if you want corals, you must know the water parameters or else might as well not bother. Salifert and hanna are the best IMO. Good luck

 

[Subsea]

I am a newby

If you intend to be a good steward of the marine life in your tank, then learn how to test your water parameters. While salinity & temperature are easily determined, you must know how to cycle a tank and without measuring NH4, NO3 & NO4 you are operating in the dark. Go to LFS and get them to show you how to test those 3 parameters.

 

[ScottJ]

Also, read through this. It has a lot of great info!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Also, read through this. It has a lot of great info!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

I second this. If you are brand new to the hobby, I would highly recommend you read this thread

 

[dank.reefer]

If you have hugh ammonia you have not cycled yet. The initial cycle is your first test in patience as a reef keeper. IMO the longer the cycle takes and the higher the ammonia goes the better. Here is a picture of the last tank I cycled.The ammonia got so high I couldn't test for it and it took 6 weeks to clear up. No magic elixers or water changes and no filtration other than live rock. IMO if there is no bacterial bloom then your tank hasn't cycled.

 

[BryanM]

If you intend to be a good steward of the marine life in your tank, then learn how to test your water parameters. While salinity & temperature are easily determined, you must know how to cycle a tank and without measuring NH4, NO3 & NO4 you are operating in the dark. Go to LFS and get them to show you how to test those 3 parameters.

^^ This.

If you don't take this advice you're going to end up sad and frustrated. You're basically building a living, breathing mini ocean in a box, and you need to monitor parameters, ESPECIALLY in a newly set up tank, and especially as a newby to the hobby.

People wing it all the time, and exit this hobby stage left in a hurry.