Tank Cycling

[Lepomis]

Finally got the tank up and going for my first salt water venture. So far everything seems to be fine after a little over a week. My alkalinity is a little low so will look into increasing it.

Tank:75 g
Lighting: 6 x 54W T5HO
140 pounds of base rock
80 pounds sand
Aquaclear 110 (awaiting live rock rubble)
300 watt titanium heater
Seio 620
Aqua C Remora with bubble trap


pH: ~ 8.0 (taking sample to work in the morning)
Salinity: 1.024
Calcium: 540 (Reef crystals)
kH: 7 °
ammonia: 1
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 0

[chase33]

Your aquascape looks lovely. No live rock to seed the base? I don't think you need to worry about the Alk at this time or do anything but wait. You'll need to perform a water change as soon as your tank cycles and it's likely to come up to normal levels then. I think you only need to wait for the cycle to complete. There's a good article in the article section regarding cycling tanks. Good luck.

[Lance M.]

Very nice aquascape. A sixline would love all those holes.

Depending on whether or not you want corals, I would think about adding another powerhead on the left side of the tank aimed towards the one on the right.

There's no need messing with the pH or alk of a newly established tank. Most new tanks have a low pH but once the water params stabilize over the next several months the pH should be around 8.1-8.2 by itself and stable.

Wow 540ppm for the Ca. At least you won't have to dose!

[Lepomis]

I had not planned on changing any parameters until the cycle is complete and see what the readings are. I do plan on seeding with some live rock next week if I can find some I like. I don't like the rock at my LFS (nor the prices) so will have to depend on the internet. There are a lot of holes, nooks, etc... in the rock work. I spent a lot of time doing dry runs on a carboard template to see what I could come up with. I will look into another powerhead it definitely won't hurt.