Tylers 26 gallon bowfront reef

[Tysob44]

Ok so I have posted a couple questions in the getting started section but I figure I will just start a common thread about my tank in general... It's a 26 gallon bowfront that is in the process of cycling it will be my first salt/reef tank I am very excited but this patience thing is killing me...

 

[manbeast]

I have a 26 bow I've been thinking of converting to a frag grow out tank, it's currently FW planted. what filtration and lighting do you plan to use?

 

[Tysob44]

I plan on getting a 24" 4 bulb t5ho and as far as filtration I would like to go mainly Lr and water changes... This is kind of my tester tank if all goes well hopefully getting a 120g

 

[Tysob44]

Also currently I have a I think vinyl background on the back but it has this bubbled look to it what is the proper way to adhere it or is it just easier to paint

 

[Dimdim]

Just use water

 

[manbeast]

when I set up my planted bow I found a decent chinese 4 bulb t5ho fixture that has been reliable for the last 1 1/2 years for @ $75 on eBay

 

[Tysob44]

I can pick up a oddysea quad t5 for 89 with bulbs from lfs

 

[Tysob44]

And what do u mean use water ?

 

[kwandrsn]

And what do u mean use water ?

You use water with the background
Kinda similar to putting tint on a car window. Clean it really well then spray water on the glass
Stick background to it and squeegee the bubbles out

 

[Tysob44]

Am I cycled?

 

[Dimdim]

Cant tell with the strips u need liquid ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests to be fully sure. Those strip tests. Are inaccurate

 

[kwandrsn]

Cant tell with the strips u need liquid ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests to be fully sure. Those strip tests. Are inaccurate

+1 on that

I use API liquid kits for both freshwater and saltwater and I can tell you if, you order them online they are cheaper for the saltwater master kit my lfs wants $45 I ordered it for $20

 

[Tysob44]

I agree 100% but at the moment don't have the flow to buy it so I am using what I have

 

[Dimdim]

Yep agreed. I am currently in the process of switching test kits from api to seachem.

 

[kwandrsn]

API kits have their faults but a lfs, that only deals with fish and especially saltwater fish and coral uses api kits so I'll use then

 

[Dimdim]

I never had a problem with api either. But im looking into different companies to see which one gives me best of luck

 

[Tysob44]

So back to my stupid strips the nitrite square stayed white to me does that mean there is none or can I not test that at all

 

[Ingy]

If your nitrite level is 0, which is very possible, and you have a elevated Nitrate level, then, yes, your probably cycled.If they're both at 0, which is hard to tell in the photo, then your cycle hasn't gotten vary far. But it looks like you may have nitrate, which is a good thing.

 

[Tysob44]

Believe my trates were at 80

 

[TimaT]

how did you start your cycle???? what did you use?

i don't see an ammonia test...

in this hobby you need a lot of patience my friend.