Recent content by Firaymark

I had a issue with diatom bloom or brown algae. I decided to change all filter floss, lower intensity of light to low and increase power heads to highest setting. I also bought six Green Chromis, six Hermit crabs and eight Mexican Turbo Snails. The fish are happy and the Turbo snails are...

Just found out some information. The API test kit is not the best out there for testing. They are other brands (Salifest, Hanna, etc.) which are better. Anyways please go to API website and click: Welcome to API Fishcare: SALTWATER MASTER TEST KIT Go to Salwater Master Test Kit...

My Phosphate reading is around 0.25ppm. I have no algae build up. I cycled with light off and there is no sunlight near tank. Water looks crystal clear.

Planning to add cleanup crew first and maybe one or two fish. My Nitrate levels are around 20-30ppm. Everything else is good. Is it possible to bring it down to 10ppm or less? The guys at Big Al's told me that 20-30ppm of Nitrate is as low as you can go. Is this true? I have done about 150...

You have done the right thing by connecting to this forum. You will learn a lot especially from experienced saltwater enthusiast. You can find helpful information from my feed: Started a 125 Gallon Salt Water Reef Tank Here is some useful links for you that may help...

I took my water sample to Big Al's yesterday and here are my results: Ammonia: 0ppm (added 1ppm the night before) Nitrate: 0.25ppm (Nitrate in the process of being converted to Nitrate) Nitrate: 20ppm (I was told it will usually be around 10-20ppm. It will never be close to 0ppm) pH: 8.1...

I am on my 33rd day of cycling. Ammonia, Nitrite are at 0ppm. I am dosing about 1ppm of ammonia daily to keep the bacteria active. I have changed water in two parts (55 gallons per day). I have taken out ~100 gallons of water. My Nitrates are around 60ppm. I am hoping to do two more water...

I am able to convert Ammonia and Nitrite in 24 hrs with lots on Nitrate (more than 80ppm). I plan to do a big water change tomorrow. My pH has been very stable at 8. I would like to bump it up to 8.2. Any suggestion on what I should use? Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

Tested Saltwater I just tested water this evening after spiking with ~3ppm of Ammonia last night. After 24 hrs, Ammonia = 0ppm; Nitrite = 0ppm and Nitrate = 80ppm (shaked both bottle of API Nitrate for ~2 mins before using). I have dosed again with ~8mL of Ammonia or 4ppm based on calcualtion...

Here is two great articles worth reading: Ammonia Instructions For A Fishless Cycle - 19627 Nitrifying Bacteria Facts Read both to truly understand the fishless cycling method. Running a salt water tank is not hard just follow the basic rules in fishless cycle, use good grade of salt...

I found an interesting link for proper dosing requirements if you plan to go the fishless route. Check out link below. Go to "Fishless Cycling - Ammonia Required". http://www.fishforums.net/aquarium-calculator.htm I just realized based on the calculator I have been only adding 5mL...

Glad you all are following along. I am 23 days in my cycle and things are progressing very well. My ammonia is dosed to 4ppm and dropping to 0ppm in 24 hrs. My Nitrite was at 2ppm last night however I checked today and it's at 0ppm. My Nitrate is at around 5ppm. I have not done any water...

Great happy to hear. I will keep dosing. I noticed critters on the glass, live rocks and sump. I am building a good bio-load at the moment. My Emerald Sump is providing a good home for the bacteria. There is lot of bubbles for oxygenation for the bacteria. I will wait for the Nitrite to drop. :)

I dosed last night with 5mL Ammonia Hydroxide and I get a spike of 4ppm after checking 30 mins later. Last night I dosed 5mL of Ammonia Hydroxide and checked 4 hours later and my reading was showing 1ppm. Is it possible that my Ammonia in the tank was used up by the bacteria in 4 hours. I didn't...

I checked my Ammonia levels last night again and it dropped to 0ppm in 24 hrs (Three days consecutively it have dropped back down to 0ppm). My Nitrite levels are still at 5ppm. I did not check Nitrate levels. I dosed again to 4ppm Ammonia. I will observe tonight again. My Nitrite levels should...