I'm going to show something most reefer's won't show you,
the ugly side of a reef tank during the cycle.
We all love a beautiful reef tank and are willing to
"show off" our's to anyone who expresses an interest. Why, not? We've paid the price and deserve a little praise, right? I want you to see that all new tanks go through an ugly stage. Here's the first pic....
Nothing has been cleaned except the
skimmer. I'm using a
Bermuda Aquatics skimmer and it's a "smokin"
skimmer. You can see algae and
diatom growth covers much of the sand bottom, walls and rockwork. I have added
nothing in terms of livestock, not even a clean-up crew. Why???
It's too early! This tank has not cycled yet. Anything added before the cycling event is complete would likey die.
I have an order for clean-up animals on hold at Indo Pacific Sea Farms for shipment as soon as the cycle is complete. Here are the readings so far.
Ph - 8.32 day
Ph - 8.00 night
SG - 1.026
3/24 all readings are in
ppm.
Ammonia - 8
Nitrite - .5
Nitrate - 0
3/26 Ammonia - 4
Nitrite - 2.5
Nitrate - .2
3/29 Ammonia - 1
Nitrite - 10
Nitrate - 1
3/31 Ammonia - .5
Nitrite - 25
Nitrate - 2.5
If you look closely to the readings you'll see the relationship between
Ammonia and
Nitrite are in direct opposition to each other during the cycle. Prior to putting
LR in
Ammonia,
Nitrite and
Nitrate readings should be 0.0
ppm. Then as the cycle begins
Ammonia builds first and when it peaks
Nitrite readings will be minimal but as
Ammonia falls
Nitrite rises until it peaks. When
both have dropped to 0.0
ppm your tank has cycled and is ready for the first addition of animals.
Most newbies run out and buy fish (plural). That's the
BIG mistake that newbies make. For their size and weight fish are the biggest polutors of a reef tank, any tank actually, all they do is convert good food to poop and that gets broken down to
Ammonia and on and on down the cycle chain. If this is going to be a reef mixed fish tank and most are, then begin with a clean-up crew, then add corals, maybe a clam and other less poluting invertebrates. After the tank is well established, and only after, can you begin to
selectively add a fish or two. Then wait, see how things go and begin adding more as you like. But, remember, everytime you add a critter, be it a fish, clam, coral, whatever, you are changing the dynamics of the tank. Nothing is more evident of this than adding a fish. Go slowly, observing every addition for changes in behavior of the other tank inhabitants. Be a good, responcible
aquariologist and you will enjoy this hobby, as I have for 59 years.
Here's a pic of the addition of the UV sterilizer....
I opted for a Lifeguard 25 watt because it was on sale at Drs F & S and I've used this unit before. The UV is an important addition to any marine aquarium containing fish. Do yourself a favor use one!
Today I'm adding my LS so I might take pics later today.
Dick
