test kit

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 12:27 AM

what test kits do i need for my reef tank?

funkejj · 04/05/2011, 12:30 AM

Starting out you need Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and PH. After you are done cycling and are preparing for a reef with coral you need to add alk, calcium, magnesium and phosphate.

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkejj

Starting out you need Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and PH. After you are done cycling and are preparing for a reef with coral you need to add alk, calcium, magnesium and phosphate.

oh ok thanks, one other question im starting to get this brown diatoms in my tank and glass well at least thats what i think it is. whats the best way to treat this brown diatoms?

funkejj · 04/05/2011, 12:52 AM

How old is the tank? Is it just going through the cycle? If so this is part of it let it do its thing don't worry about tying to eradicate every type of algae as it is just the normal part of starting a tank. Patience and time are the biggest fixes to problems in the beginning.

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 12:56 AM

yeah i just started 2 weeks ago last weekend i took some water to my lfs so they could test it and they told me that it was cycled and they told me that it was fine if i added some CUC so i didi and they been on my tank for a week now so yesterday i went back and bought a mushroom coral. you think something bad will happen?

funkejj · 04/05/2011, 01:13 AM

I don't think that at all. I don't think a tank really completely cycles in 2 weeks. I will say this, I own a whole mess of test kits, every one I mentioned above and all in a couple of different brands. I only trust myself testing my water. i look to make sure my test kit are not expired or old and if something is out of whack i go to the other brand of test kit. Just because a LFS says you are cycled does not always mean you are. Lots of LFS are out there to make the buck and don't mind selling live stock that might die because a tank is not cycled. Start with a basic API test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and test yourself. Make sure your water is good before buying anything else in there.

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkejj

I don't think that at all. I don't think a tank really completely cycles in 2 weeks. I will say this, I own a whole mess of test kits, every one I mentioned above and all in a couple of different brands. I only trust myself testing my water. i look to make sure my test kit are not expired or old and if something is out of whack i go to the other brand of test kit. Just because a LFS says you are cycled does not always mean you are. Lots of LFS are out there to make the buck and don't mind selling live stock that might die because a tank is not cycled. Start with a basic API test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and test yourself. Make sure your water is good before buying anything else in there.

so far i have the API test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and i test it this past saturday and everything looks good

salt gravity 1.025
ph 8.0
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5.0

Chris27 · 04/05/2011, 08:26 AM

From your test results I'm thinking you used live rock...is that correct?

If so, your cycle may very well have been done in less then two weeks. At this point everything looks good, just go slow and be patient. Your tank is probably ready for a small fish at this point.....after it's been QT'd of coarse.

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris27

From your test results I'm thinking you used live rock...is that correct?

If so, your cycle may very well have been done in less then two weeks. At this point everything looks good, just go slow and be patient. Your tank is probably ready for a small fish at this point.....after it's been QT'd of coarse.

yes I use live rock. So far I added a mushroom coral and some CUC so u think I should add a fish or just leave it like that for now and see what happens?

cnaegler · 04/05/2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.perez1989

yes I use live rock. So far I added a mushroom coral and some CUC so u think I should add a fish or just leave it like that for now and see what happens?

I would go ahead and add a small fish such as a Chromis. These fish are inexpensive and will get along with any type of fish you may want to add later. IMO, try to steer clear of any damsels as these will be aggresive to any new additions.The reason for adding a fish is to keep your cycle going, giving your bacteria some fish poop and decaying food to consume and turn into nitrates. Slowly add your fish so as to not "outrun" your bacteria population.

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnaegler

I would go ahead and add a small fish such as a Chromis. These fish are inexpensive and will get along with any type of fish you may want to add later. IMO, try to steer clear of any damsels as these will be aggresive to any new additions.The reason for adding a fish is to keep your cycle going, giving your bacteria some fish poop and decaying food to consume and turn into nitrates. Slowly add your fish so as to not "outrun" your bacteria population.

Should I wait till the weekend to add a chromis since I just added 3 sand snails and my mushroom coral this past Sunday?

cnaegler · 04/05/2011, 11:46 AM

Nah...the mushroom and snails are hardly putting out any waste at all. I think it be more than safe to add the Chromis now.

a.perez1989 · 04/05/2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnaegler

Nah...the mushroom and snails are hardly putting out any waste at all. I think it be more than safe to add the Chromis now.

Sounds ood I will pass today by my LFS today to add a chromis thanks!

04/05/2011, 12:27 AM	#1
a.perez1989 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 143	test kit what test kits do i need for my reef tank?

04/05/2011, 08:26 AM	#8
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	From your test results I'm thinking you used live rock...is that correct? If so, your cycle may very well have been done in less then two weeks. At this point everything looks good, just go slow and be patient. Your tank is probably ready for a small fish at this point.....after it's been QT'd of coarse. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

04/05/2011, 11:46 AM	#12
cnaegler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sylva, NC-Western North Carolina Posts: 960	Nah...the mushroom and snails are hardly putting out any waste at all. I think it be more than safe to add the Chromis now. __________________ Craig _________________________ ATL "Superman" acro, Vivid's Rainbow Delight acro wanted You can want in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first!! Save the reefs! Buy captive bred fish and aquacultured corals! Current Tank Info: Downsizing to a 120 BB SPS tank, 6205 &6305 Tunze on 7095 controller, Current USA extreme 8 x 54 fixture

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04/05/2011, 12:30 AM	#2
funkejj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 747	Starting out you need Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and PH. After you are done cycling and are preparing for a reef with coral you need to add alk, calcium, magnesium and phosphate.

04/05/2011, 12:52 AM	#4
funkejj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 747	How old is the tank? Is it just going through the cycle? If so this is part of it let it do its thing don't worry about tying to eradicate every type of algae as it is just the normal part of starting a tank. Patience and time are the biggest fixes to problems in the beginning.

04/05/2011, 12:56 AM	#5
a.perez1989 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 143	yeah i just started 2 weeks ago last weekend i took some water to my lfs so they could test it and they told me that it was cycled and they told me that it was fine if i added some CUC so i didi and they been on my tank for a week now so yesterday i went back and bought a mushroom coral. you think something bad will happen?

04/05/2011, 01:13 AM	#6
funkejj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 747	I don't think that at all. I don't think a tank really completely cycles in 2 weeks. I will say this, I own a whole mess of test kits, every one I mentioned above and all in a couple of different brands. I only trust myself testing my water. i look to make sure my test kit are not expired or old and if something is out of whack i go to the other brand of test kit. Just because a LFS says you are cycled does not always mean you are. Lots of LFS are out there to make the buck and don't mind selling live stock that might die because a tank is not cycled. Start with a basic API test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and test yourself. Make sure your water is good before buying anything else in there.