Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Welcome to Reef2Reef! This is a great place to ask questions and learn, so you're right where you need to be! Plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people on these forums. I'm guessing it's been answered already, but once ammonia and nitrites are at zero and you have nitrates, your tank should be ready for the first fish to be added - don't add too many at once and overload the bioload. After you've had some fish for a little bit and some algae starts, go for a clean up crew - snails etc. Corals, depending on type, need time for the tank to stabilize more, so start with softies (mushrooms and zoas etc) and then move into lps and sps once alkalinity is stable. The types of tests you need will be dependent on the types of corals you're going to keep, but typically phosphates, nitrates, and ammonia are good tests to keep and then calcium, alkalinity, and anything you're going to dose are other tests to have (if keeping sps/lps corals). A good rule is always: don't dose if you don't test.I’ve taken the plunge in starting a saltwater tank. Right now I’m cycling my 40 gallon tank, but I’m not sure what tests I need to do weekly and other saltwater terminology ( dosing, cycling).
Welcome to Reef2Reef! This is a great place to ask questions and learn, so you're right where you need to be! Plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people on these forums. I'm guessing it's been answered already, but once ammonia and nitrites are at zero and you have nitrates, your tank should be ready for the first fish to be added - don't add too many at once and overload the bioload. After you've had some fish for a little bit and some algae starts, go for a clean up crew - snails etc. Corals, depending on type, need time for the tank to stabilize more, so start with softies (mushrooms and zoas etc) and then move into lps and sps once alkalinity is stable. The types of tests you need will be dependent on the types of corals you're going to keep, but typically phosphates, nitrates, and ammonia are good tests to keep and then calcium, alkalinity, and anything you're going to dose are other tests to have (if keeping sps/lps corals). A good rule is always: don't dose if you don't test
I’m going to try and get a few fish soon. I had my water tested and they told me the levels were good. How should I wait until I can add coral?Welcome to Reef2Reef! This is a great place to ask questions and learn, so you're right where you need to be! Plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people on these forums. I'm guessing it's been answered already, but once ammonia and nitrites are at zero and you have nitrates, your tank should be ready for the first fish to be added - don't add too many at once and overload the bioload. After you've had some fish for a little bit and some algae starts, go for a clean up crew - snails etc. Corals, depending on type, need time for the tank to stabilize more, so start with softies (mushrooms and zoas etc) and then move into lps and sps once alkalinity is stable. The types of tests you need will be dependent on the types of corals you're going to keep, but typically phosphates, nitrates, and ammonia are good tests to keep and then calcium, alkalinity, and anything you're going to dose are other tests to have (if keeping sps/lps corals). A good rule is always: don't dose if you don't test.
Thanks for the adviceWelcome to R2R. You are going to want to test for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate for the first while during your cycle. record all of your test. as you start to stock your tank keep it slow and test for those main 3 to look for any spikes. adding too many fish or corals at once can throw things out of balance. as you add more corals to your tank you are going to want to start testing for KH Cal and Mag your corals will use these up in your water column to help build their skeletal structure. the best thing you can do is keep things as consistent as possible with no big swings. oh yeah keep an eye on your PH that helps too. for testing it is best to try and do it at the same time of day if you can. Happy Reefing man.
Thank youBelated welcome to the salty family!!
Welcome to Reef2Reef! We are glad you are here.I’ve taken the plunge in starting a saltwater tank. Right now I’m cycling my 40 gallon tank, but I’m not sure what tests I need to do weekly and other saltwater terminology ( dosing, cycling).