1st Time Ever testing tank water-need guidance

[sharlotte_g]

Hello. I have my Coralife Biocube 29g set up with the water, live sand, crushed coral and 20 lbs of dry live rock. I added the live rock two days ago and just tested the water today for first time (test kit just came in mail yesterday).

Here are my levels as of today: pH-7.4; Ammonia-0ppm; Nitrite-0ppm; Nitrate-0ppm

So...what does this mean? It hasn't started "cycling" yet? Is this when I add a piece of live shrimp to start the tank in to its cycle?

Thanks!

 

[chefbill]

You need a source for ammonia to get the cycle started.

A good place to start is:
Cycle your salt tank - Aquarium Advice

Many other good articles can be found here as well.

 

[jslmk4]

Also your pH is low...needs to be 8.0- 8.2 range

Sent from my SM-G900V using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[dingusplease]

Ph is extremely low, too low for any coral, inverts, fish, and most other marine organisms to live.

What salt mix are you using?

 

[dingusplease]

Also, what's the SG?