New to aquariums

[wet_algae]

Hi y'all.

Recently (past 2 months) I've been tryna get a saltwater tank up and running but because of my location it's been taking a long time to actually get things going.
I started with dry rock and salt as everything else was mostly out of stock and created a calibration solution for a refractometer.
Originally I had used "seachem stability" once in the beginning and I have what looks like 3 types of algae and no sign of microfauna. b/g cyano and diatoms (i think these spread from my freshwater) as well another type i couldn't identify.

There's "oceandirect" sand coming soon and I will drain the tank, put it in and doing a 50% water change.

Not sure what to do for testing yet besides gravity and can't really discern what stage the aquarium is at.

I have also been going into this not really wanting anything but macros and maybe 1 or 2 corals (20gal doesn't really suit anything).

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Not sure what you are trying to show in these pics, I see a few tiny green spots but nothing concerning. Can you show a full tank picture? You will need test kits to keep corals, and the the first question here will always be "can you share your parameters"? If you have corals, then you should be testing nitrate, phosphate, and alkalinity at the minimum.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would take time and read this article! This should answer a lot of questions you might have.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JumboShrimp]

Enjoy your journey. And a big "Welcome!" To R2R!

 

[SantaMonica]

Best username I've seen today :)

 

[wet_algae]

Not sure what you are trying to show in these pics, I see a few tiny green spots but nothing concerning. Can you show a full tank picture? You will need test kits to keep corals, and the the first question here will always be "can you share your parameters"? If you have corals, then you should be testing nitrate, phosphate, and alkalinity at the minimum.

I have ordered an ATO system, as well as pH, Nitrate, KH, Phosphate, Calcium and Magnesium testers.

As soon as the sand arrived i knew it'd set me back and i've been dealing with a sick fish so i've turned my attention to that and haven't really done anything besides put the sand in.

A few days ago added 5 lbs of live rock since there was an opportunity to go to an lfs.

I might switch my light with my chihiro because it seems awfully bright and very close the the surface (also gives more control for rgb). I plan on making a 3.5gal HOB sump in the future when i feel the tank requires more space. For a lid i have plexiglass and was going to make one but the condensation scares me because it leaks outside the tank

 

[wet_algae]

Just adding my parameters.

Salinity: 36ppt (a bit high i tried to lower it but it went up again)
pH: 7.8
Nitrate: 15
Phosphate: 0.25
KH: 162
Calcium: 380
Magnesium: 680-750.

Tank inhabitants: brown spot diatoms, cynano (i have been tending to it when it mats), the bright green algae i think is pre-purple coralline, cotton candy algae, purple/white/green/pink/red and orange (idk yet) coralline algae, copepods, hydroids, feather duster ('s?) and aiptasia.