And I start!

[jjamontan]

Should've seen it already. What kinda test kit you using? I like the API. I think you can turn the skimmer off for now too.

I am using the API saltwater master test kit. After I let the tube sit for 5 min it now reads .25 does that sound right?

 

[austinsdad]

Yes. Better. Do the nitrite test also. Look in our Articles section and understand the SW cycle process and what readings you should be seeing on ammonia and nitrite.

 

[rdnelson99]

Yes. Better. Do the nitrite test also. Look in our Articles section and understand the SW cycle process and what readings you should be seeing on ammonia and nitrite.

+100000 That is a great article and helped me tremendously.

 

[jjamontan]

I have never seen anyone attach one like this so I thought I would share this with all of you.

 

[jjamontan]

I also moved my rock around, the wife likes it better this way.

 

[austinsdad]

Another thought on the rock placement. Make sure you can clean the side walls and have the rock placed so you can reach down to the sand with a scraper. Those side walls can get yucky and you'll wanna clean them. Then again, I've seen side walls full of corraline and some seem to like it. I never did and like to look thru the sides.

 

[jjamontan]

Yea I left 4" at each side so I can clean

 

[jjamontan]

If I were to add 5lb of live rock would it be a waste? Or is that good enough just to seed the 50lb of base rock that I have in the tank now?

 

[HalfMoon B]

Live rock will help speed things up. Still need to cycle though

 

[jjamontan]

Right, what I am concerned with is the introduction of coralline algae

 

[HalfMoon B]

Coralline is afoot thing. I hate the hitchhikers....all the research on whether they are safe or not...igh

 

[jjamontan]

I have heard that skimmers require a time of adjustment, but someone may want to correct me on that.

And yes the little bubbles that I was complaining about a few days ago have stopped.

 

[HalfMoon B]

Woot, how is the skimmers working now?

 

[jjamontan]

Coralline is afoot thing. I hate the hitchhikers....all the research on whether they are safe or not...igh

A foot thing? Or you ment a good thing? If you ment a good thing than that's what I want is the purple, I don't care all that much for anything else.

 

[jjamontan]

It is doing ok I guess, it is not all that dirty yet

 

[jjamontan]

Ammonia has risen and now fallen looks like my cycle is running good. I added 20lb of live rock last week. I have brown algae growing on the rocks and the sand.

 

[austinsdad]

That brown algae is diatoms. Normal for new tanks. It'll dissapear on its own.

 

[jjamontan]

How long does it last?

 

[rdnelson99]

It will last as long as there are silicates in the water. That is what if feeds on but once it consumes it all it will die off. It is a good sign that you cycle is progressing. You just need to wait it out. Good thing is, it should be all gone by the time your cycle is completed.

 

[jjamontan]

It also looks like there is a thin film on the water service is this the same thing as the brown algae?