10 gallon nano-reef coming together

[10gal_nano]

Originally Posted by BigRedsReefs10

You put your rock in 6-7 days ago according to this thread. Your tank is still cycling and ammonia and nitrite are just as toxic to coral as they are fish. Take the coral back to your friend until your cycle is complete. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby

I had my water checked. Also I put rocks and sand and water in 2 weeks ago but didn't start this thread until last week

[BigRedsReefs10]

Originally Posted by 10gal_nano

Attachment 224887
Looking better this morning before school

That's not a tank that's been running more than 24 hours. Trust us we have no reason to lie to you, we're not trying to sell you anything. Your tank has not cycled yet, slow down and let things run there course. Rehouse the corals for a couple more weeks, let your cycle finish and you'll be good to start adding to the tank.

[Macscale]

Ah, as I expected. They shouldn't be good enough for corals. Yeah, no corals at this point.

[10gal_nano]

Update! Corals doing well!
Star polyp

Yellow polyp


A view of the whole tank so far.

[Macscale]

Those were hitch hikers right?

Your tank certainly isn't ready for actual corals though. It's still filled with toxic levels of Ammonia and Nitrites and Nitrates. As Big red said, we aren't selling you anything. We are just here to help, and nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

[10gal_nano]

There is no ammonia, nitrates, or nitrates. I have had my water tested twice by the best fish store within 50 miles. How do you know what my water is like? The two corals in there are small polyps my friend cut off for me to start the tank. They are doing perfectly fine. I agree nothing good happens fast but I have good water conditions and the coral is hardy. I dose calcium and bacteria. The bacteria is only for the rest of the week though.

[Macscale]

Add anther source of ammonia, if it turns into nitrates within 24 hours, then
Your tank is cycled. Wait longer. You want to be 100% sure,

[10gal_nano]

Ok. Thanks. I will be getting a refugium on Thursday.

[bribo12]

Stop dosing calcium. You have 0 hard corals that use it. You will save yourself money and headache by not dosing it.

[Macscale]

Is there a reason you need a refugium? I feel that on such a small tank, it's a big hassle unless you have a good reason besides biological filtration.

[10gal_nano]

Water test.
pH: 8.0 (too low)
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: less than 10ppm

[bribo12]

8.0 is fine.

[10gal_nano]

Oh. Ok. Thank you!

Is the nitrite too high?

[bribo12]

No you want 0 nitrite. Nitrate is ok, you really want it close to 0 but 10 isn't gonna hurt anything you have

[10gal_nano]

Ok. Again, thank you

[BigRedsReefs10]

How high did the nitrate climb and how big of a wc did you do to bring it down?

[10gal_nano]

Nitrate was always low. I did 5 gallon water change because salinity and pH were too low. All good now though

[Macscale]

All parameters seem good.
How long has the tank been running?
To ensure it's cycled. Add another ammonia source, if it goes down within 24 hours, you are good to go!

[10gal_nano]

Just about 10 days! Everyone says I'm doing good. I added bacteria today. Going to add filter floss and clean filter tomorrow. I will have a professional water test and possibly a cleaner crew on Friday.

[Macscale]

Alright, I'd still be cautious of the cycle. A big saying is nothing good happens fast, but both of my ten gallons cycled in about 10 days and I have no problems. Except bubble algae in one.