Setting up my tank

Spenc_ · Sep 25, 2020

So I just bought a used Innovative 10G tank, it came with a skimmer, heater, light (Maxspect R420R) and I bought a Fluval Sea CP1 circulation pump and a water testing kit.

SO, I started off with live rock, and dry sand and put salt water that I bought from my reef shop that has a salinity of 1.026. I tested the water parameters the other day and everything was up, Im pretty sure the numbers were

20ppm Nitrate
.25 Nitrite
.50 Ammonia
7.8ph

Its been almost a week since I've set up the tank and I haven't added in anything else to the water. Just wondering what I should be doing next? Should I buy some FrtizZyms 9 to get good bacteria in there?

And what should I use to test the salinity of my water, I have a Fluval Sea that just sticks on the side of the tank but I'm told they're terrible, its telling me my salinity is 1.028+

And what should I use for Filter media?

annnnnnd I took my skimmer out for now, should I put that back in when I get some live stock?

annnnnnnd Ive been keeping my temperture up around 75F, 27C is that where it should be to start off with?

sorry for all the questions I just have a lot of questions that need to be answered.

Thanks in advanced :)

BlennyTime · Sep 25, 2020

Welcome! If you bought live rock, that had the bacteria that you need in it already. The fact that you are getting nitrate tells you the cycle is already on its way. Let the ammonia go to 0, then do a water change to reduce the nitrates, and you should be ready for fish :)

BlennyTime · Sep 25, 2020

For testing salinity, a refractometer is a good choice, something similar to this:

Salinity Refractometer for Seawater and Marine Fishkeeping Aquarium 0-100 PPT with Automatic Temperature Compensation Amazon product ASIN B018LRO1SU

DiefsReef · Sep 25, 2020

Welcome to R2R and good luck on the tank!

Keep the skimmer off for a while and check out this thread for a good read on cycle..

The microbiology of reef tank cycling.

You can skip your cycle. Ive been reefing online for twenty years and have never waited one second for a tank to cycle, because I buy rocks that are already cycled and move them home. Here's two: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/octo-high-end-sps-skip-cycle-build.713256/...

www.reef2reef.com