Newbie.

[mikew140]

Hi everyone,

so am new to saltwater and am a couple days into my fishless cycle, using dr Tim’s and adding ammonium.

Day 5 today
Ph 8.2
Ammonia 0.8 ppm
Nitrate 0.01 ppm

should I be testing anything else at the minute.

My Red Sea care recipe for perimeters are.

Salinity 35ppm
Calcium 430
Magnesium 1280 ppm
Alkalinity 8 dkh
Nitrate 0.5 ppm
Phosphate 0.02 ppm

I looking at picking up Hanna checkers for these and using Red Sea products to try and maintain these perimeters.

When should I start testing for these and trying to reach these levels?

should I get the LR or HR nitrate checker?

am looking to add a couple clown fish once cycle is sorted and can add them in.

Thanks.


Pic of tank

 

[HankstankXXL750]

Welcome. You only need to measure ammonia at this time. Lower salinity like 1.012 will help you cycle faster. Maintain 2.0 ppm ammonia every day by adding enough ammonia to get back to 2.0. When ammonia drops from 2.0 to 0 in 24 hours cycle is complete. Then do a major water change, I did nearly 100% in my 210 gallon setup. This will get you nitrates to near zero so you start with a clean canvas.

I use Hanna HI782 HR nitrate, and HI774 ULR phosphate meters. Also use Hanna HI98319 salinity tester and HI98106 PH probe.

Here are some of my tanks.

 

[mikew140]

Welcome. You only need to measure ammonia at this time. Lower salinity like 1.012 will help you cycle faster. Maintain 2.0 ppm ammonia every day by adding enough ammonia to get back to 2.0. When ammonia drops from 2.0 to 0 in 24 hours cycle is complete. Then do a major water change, I did nearly 100% in my 210 gallon setup. This will get you nitrates to near zero so you start with a clean canvas.

I use Hanna HI782 HR nitrate, and HI774 ULR phosphate meters. Also use Hanna HI98319 salinity tester and HI98106 PH probe.

Here are some of my tanks.

Thanks for your reply,
I will look for those checkers.
Nice tanks.

 

[HankstankXXL750]

Thanks for your reply,
I will look for those checkers.
Nice tanks.

Thanks