New Tank Setup - test results inside...

[fighting0]

Wow. Maybe I'm counting my chickens before they're hatched, but here's the deal:
-Brought the water up to temp, mixed the salt.
-Dumped in "Nature's Ocean Live Sand" (from *****)
-Added a capful of Kent Marine Ammonia Detox
-Added a 3/4 capful of Kent Marine Element Essentials
-Hoped sand would settle and it did.
-Kept Biowheel filter and power head running as well.
(keep in mind, there are no fish and no live rock)
-Salinity - 1.022 - 1.023
Test Results (using Red Sea Marine Lab Test Kit):
Nitrates - 0
Nitrites - <.05 but > 0 (I know, this has to be at 0)
Amonia - <.25 (I know, this has to be at 0 also)
Alkalinity - about 2.0
pH - 7.9 - 8.0
Ok, where do I go from here? Suggestions? I planned on keeping this tank FOWLR, or at the least, Fish only and get some nice non-live rock in there.
Thoughts?
TIA!
-Scott

 

[dexter]

when did you start? Plan on 2-4 week for the cycle to complete. Check your levels about every other day, and remember - patience, research and ask questions!
Good luck and post your test results in a few days.
dxtr

 

[drew2005]

You need to either drop in some uncured live rock or a raw uncooked shrimp to kick start the cycle. Dont add the ammonia detox anymore. Your tank has to cycle starting with a spike in ammonia. Good luck. Do lots of research.

 

[fighting0]

Thanks for the responses so far!
I know there will be a 2-4 Week cycle period, and patience is the key. I've been floating and posting on these boards since about 2002 (I forgot my last username, but I think it was squirTTboater, not sure). Everybody out here is extremely helpful.
It wasn't until recently that I was able to start the tank up.
Are you saying I could get some pre-cured live rock from here, then use the raw shrimp to kickstart the cycle?
What if I weren't going the live rock route?
-Scott

 

[drew2005]

Originally Posted by fighting0
Thanks for the responses so far!
I know there will be a 2-4 Week cycle period, and patience is the key. I've been floating and posting on these boards since about 2002 (I forgot my last username, but I think it was squirTTboater, not sure). Everybody out here is extremely helpful.
It wasn't until recently that I was able to start the tank up.
Are you saying I could get some pre-cured live rock from here, then use the raw shrimp to kickstart the cycle?
What if I weren't going the live rock route?
-Scott
IMO live rock is a necessity. Its part of your filtration. Even though it says "precured" its being shipped so it will have some dieoff. Dropping this in your tank with start the cycle. This is only recommended for the initial start up. Not when you have any live stock in there.

 

[dexter]

if you're not going the LR route, then definately put a raw shrimp in to get the cycle started.
Many use a damsel, however, they are mean little devil fish (my own opinion.

) and are a pain in the arse to get out when you realize you don't want them in your tank. The key is to keep testing your levels and log your results. you will see your amonia spike and then fall, while your nitrItes will then rise and fall also.

good luck and keep us posted on your findings! What type of fish are you planning for your FO tank?
dxtr

 

[fighting0]

All Good options..
I just planned on having a clown or two, a shrimp or two, a hermit crab, and some snails. Nothing crazy! Just something cool to watch and work on.
I'll def. keep posting results on this thread.
-Scott

 

[lion_crazz]

I would also definitely plan to do some live rock, regardless of the type of set-up. It keeps your tank healthier and more stable and your inhabitants will live better and happier.
By the way, where are you located in northeast PA? I'm in northeat Philadelphia.

 

[dexter]

:hilarious :hilarious yea, that's almost exactly what I was thinking when I got my 30 gallon! :hilarious :happyfish

:help:
Now I have a 100 gallon nearly full blown reef! :notsure:

this is teh single most addictive hoby I have ever had and I absoutely love it!! and corals are unbelievable!
good luck with your new obsession and keep us posted! - dxtr

 

[fighting0]

I'm in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Area.. Lack of SW stores up here, no doubt. I guess there's a pretty good one in Allentown, but don't know the name/location of it off-hand.

 

[fighting0]

live rock is showing up today!!!!
Going to clean it and throw it in! well, maybe carefully place it in... lol

 

[fighting0]

Ok, live rock showed up yesterday and I put it in. I decided to give it a full 24hr before I gave it the first test.
Here are the results (as of June 14):
Nitrates - 5
Nitrites - .1
Ammonia - .4
pH - 8.0
Alkalinity - 2.1
Salinity - 1.024
Temp - 82
After seeing the Alkalinity results, to bring up the Alkalinity, I put 5mL of Kent pro-Buffer dKH in.
Looks like it started to cycle... Thanks for the help so far! Any comments welcome!
I'll probably test again in a day or two.