Can this be right?

mommafish

mommafish

Member
Well, after looking and thinking and researching and thinking some more, I decided to start with a 29 gal. tank. I think it should be fine as all I want is some live rock, a percula clown and a cleaner shrimp. so - we set the aquarium up, filled up with ro water, added instant ocean, and let it sit.
I was bored and not tired, so I decided to try out all my water testing equipment that I bought and these were the results after only 24 hours:
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
ph - 8.2
salinity - 29
specific gravity - 1.021
Is it normal to have this good of results right off the bat? What does it mean? How do I tell when my cycle is done?
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
You'll have zero readings in a brand new system. After ammonia is added then the cycle will start...the cycle should first be completed and the system stable before adding creatures. Your system is not even started yet so ammonia-0/nitrite-0/nitrate-0 would be perfectly normal. Specific gravity is a bit on the low side...I prefer 1.023-1.025 for my reef...lower for my fish only. There is a lot of info on cycling a system here as well as on the web. Try a few searchs for nitrogen cycle and see what you come up with.
Best of luck establishing your 29...keep us posted as you progress and don't hesitate to ask questions along the way.
 
mommafish

mommafish

Member
Tx so much - I really appreciate it, I just thought my ammonia would have been higher.
One thing I realized I forgot to buy was a thermometer so I guess it's back to the lfs in the morning!
 
mommafish

mommafish

Member
Dead shrimp, thanks for asking - lfs tried to talk me into using a live fish and I gave her a nice long "talking to" about just why I wouldn't do that. It's a new little shop right up the road from me which makes it very convenient for me, but I'll only buy supplies there - never fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top