Saltwater aquarium- Is it ready?

[joncorgriffin]

I think it's ready. Before I get the wife's hopes up, what do you guys think?

If it is ready, what do I start with? Fish, coral, or a cleanup crew?

Thanks!!!

 

[fishywishy]

These test strips are the most inaccurate thing I’ve ever used. So I would take some water the fish store and have them test it for you to be safe.

If it is ready just start with fish. Don’t add a clean up crew or corals for a few months.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Salifert is a good choice for testing but Hanna is better. Ditch the strips.

 

[Fish Fan]

I think it's ready. Before I get the wife's hopes up, what do you guys think?

If it is ready, what do I start with? Fish, coral, or a cleanup crew?

Thanks!!!

Hello again, newer R2R member!

As my friends above have already mentioned, these test strips are unreliable at best for maintaining a reef aquarium, in my experience

They are largely rebranded swimming pool test strips, and as someone who owns a very modest above ground pool, they are not well liked even among pool owners

We would also need A LOT more information to answer the question - "Is my tank ready" for livestock.

Could you please describe how you've set this tank up, and what you've done so far to cycle it? For example, (and assuming you started with dry rock and sand), did you add anything to raise the ammonia? Typically, it's suggested to bring the ammonia concentration to about 2.0 ppm on a reliable test kit, to get the cycle started.

I would also suggest ordering some Salifert brand test kits. They are inexpensive, and regarded as reliable. I would suggest ordering test kits for ammonia and nitrate at this stage, phosphate will be needed soon after. You can safely ignore nitrite as it's non-toxic in saltwater, and you can safely ignore almost all others reported on your test strips both now, and going forward; they're not applicable for keeping a typical reef tank

Please let us know some more details of your setup and cycle methodology, and I'm sure that we can help you get your tank going

Best of luck!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Strips are inaccurate. You would be fine to use api for your initial test cycle. However, once it’s cycled ditch api altogether and use salifert Hanna or redsea kits. I’m linking you these two articles that should help you out!

Cycling a Brand New Reef Aquarium

The cycling stages of a brand new reef aquarium.

www.reef2reef.com

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