quick question

[new-2-the-reef]

its been almost a month now ,since i've had my tank up and running
today my test result's were


ph level - 8.0-8.2
ammonia- oppm
nitrite- o ppm
nitrate- 20 ..still holding same as last weeks test
salinity /gravity- 1.026
96 pounds now of cured live rock

my first 2 test were as followed after initial set up

around 60 pounds of cured live rock
sept 9th... first full week of set up
ph level-8.2-8.4
ammonia-0.25 ppm
nitrite-o ppm
nitrate-o ppm
salinity gravity-1.032 (i added to much salt )

sept 13th 2nd test
went up to 88 pounds of cured live rock
ph level -8.2
ammonia- o ppm
nitrite- 0ppm
nitrate-20 (first time it went up)
salinity/gravity-1.028 /030


so today after my third test of water quality

I have only had a spike in my nitrate and it has been not to bad according to what i have read and seen on here and in test guide..

my question is should I expect a bigger spike in the next coming weeks at all.....
and when would be a good time to perhaps add some easily priced coral
now or in a few more weeks

thanks guys/gals
Clint

[sasquatch]

If the rock is cured and wasnt exposed to conditions that would cause die off, it may be done. i suggest you get a deli shrimp in a mesh bag and throw it in, in a few days if nothing spikes your bio system is functioning well, if its working it will handle the shrimp with no problem.steve

[new-2-the-reef]

sasquatch

you mean go to my local grocery store and buy a raw shri,p and throw it in tank?

what type of shrimp? if this is what your saying?
and mesh bag?
do i have to pick that up somewhere else?
or will they have it?

thanks for all your help
Clint

also my lighting has finally been set up and the timer is set

daylight and atinic is on from 8am to 7pm
atinic only from 7pm to 11:30 pm
led from 11:30 to 8 am

is this ok?

thanks again Clint

[lcstorc]

Yes he means a raw shrimp from the deli. As it decomposes it forms amonia which is the first part of the cycle. If you don't see anything in a week or so then I would say you are cycled and ready to add things very very skowly.

[sasquatch]

Thanks Lynn! Clint a mesh bag like onions come in is fine, even a fish net, just easier to get the corpse out. Lighting schedule is good for now, when the algae starts you can cut back a bit.Steve

[new-2-the-reef]

thanks alot lynn and steve

as for the timing schedule for my lights can you recommend a set time for me

daylight -atinic-led(moonlight)

thanks again Clint

[Amphibious]

Clint,

The light schedule isn't very important right now. Most of us leave it off in the morning, have it come on later in the day so, we can enjoy the tank later in the evening when we're home. Soon you will have an algae break out and will want to reduce your light, as Sasquatch mentioned above.

[new-2-the-reef]

so i should set my daylight timer alittle later in the morning when the algae starts to break out....say 10-11 am instead of the 8am start time?
and start the atinic around 8-10 pm ..its at 7pm now

and should i leave the led (moonlight) at 11:30 pm or bump it up 2 minutes till midnight?

[sasquatch]

starting the lights at different times gives you a simulated sunrise, Im not sure thats of much importance my vho's just come on all at once, the moon lights are more for your enjoyment, tho if your like Woodstock and have insane flying carpets your fish can wander into its not that critical either, your main concern now is getting past the inevitable algae stage, once stability has settled in this wont matter very much at all.