Cycle Question

[t_fins]

Sorry if this has been asked a million times but I keep searching and reviewing but I am getting 100 different answers. Here's the scenario:

I started my Biocube 29 tank last Sunday. Added 20 lbs live sand and about 25 lbs rock(combo Live, base, and life rock) used RODI water. Added Fritzzyme 9 on Monday. Tank was looking good. I've seen an asteria star, some bristleworms, and a snail that must have hitchhiked in the LR from the LFS. Tested it and have 0 ammonia >1 nitrite and 10 nitrate. Salinity is 1.025. I've been turning the lights(stock CF hood) on a few hours the last two days. I'm now seeing brownish/green algae on the big piece of base rock and a little in the sand. (I added a pic)

Question: Is this normal in one week? What is my next step? Should I do a water change? Add CUC or Fish first? (One LFS said to add a Clown first before CUC when nitrate hits 0 which he thinks will be next week)

[Diana A]

did you read http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632

Run your lights. I let my tanks run for a good month with stable numbers before adding any live stock. During that time, get a quarantine tank running and buy your first fish. During the 4 weeks your fish is in quarantine, you can check your tank parameters.

Rock was it cured, pre-cured or uncured? Are the rocks: live rock, Real Reef rock brand or Walter Smith?

[t_fins]

Originally Posted by Diana A

did you read http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632

Run your lights. I let my tanks run for a good month with stable numbers before adding any live stock. During that time, get a quarantine tank running and buy your first fish. During the 4 weeks your fish is in quarantine, you can check your tank parameters.

Rock was it cured, pre-cured or uncured? Are the rocks: live rock, Real Reef rock brand or Walter Smith?

Thanks for the response. I did read that thread but after I started so I'm playing catch up.

For lights? How many hours a day?

About half the rock was cured at the LFS. The rest was dry rock that they had.

[ladynavyvet]

Take your time, and I'm with Diana A, set up a QT, and while your first fish are in it, you can be certain that the parameters are stable in the biocube. Welcome to reef tanks, especially to nano tanks. I am as into nano reef tanks. FYI, a quarantine tank doesn't have to be very big, mine is a 5 gallon Fluval Spec tank. I have a thin, crushed coral sand, to help the pH in the water remain stable. No rocks, put pvc elbows in to give the fis hiding places.

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[ladynavyvet]

Originally Posted by ladynavyvet

Take your time, and I'm with Diana A, set up a QT, and while your first fish are in it, you can be certain that the parameters are stable in the biocube. Welcome to reef tanks, especially to nano tanks. I am as into nano reef tanks. FYI, a quarantine tank doesn't have to be very big, mine is a 5 gallon Fluval Spec tank. I have a thin, crushed coral sand, to help the pH in the water remain stable. No rocks, put pvc elbows in to give the fis hiding places.

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Please excuse the typo, replacing as with also, in saying I'm into nano tanks.

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[hecterma]

Just my 2 cents.....After you hit 0 on nitrates you should add CUC to help with the algae then after a couple of weeks add your quarantined fish.

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