Twiddling my thumbs

Now I understand the repeated admonitions across the forums to "Go slow, let it grow"!! My tank is only two weeks old and I am already itching to start playing! I tested my parameters this morning and they haven't budged yet.

Ammonia .01
pH 8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10 ppm
Specific Grav. 1.025

I also think that my tap water is high in Nitrates. Will this be a problem down the road? I am thinking that I am going to eventually invest in a RO unit.

 

I moved this thread to General Reef Topics as it's more appropriate there. As for your tank, what have you done to start the tank cycle?

As for tap water, high in nitrates or not, tap water will most likely always cause problems in a reef tank. Buy an RO unit before you buy any other piece of equipment. It's a must have in the hobby

 

give it another week and retest, then you can probably add a small fish to help the cycle along if you haven't already done so, what size tank is it? how much LR, ect?

I wouldnt use tap in either of my tanks if you held a gun to my head.... well, ok I might in that circumstance but you get the point

I have to buy my RO/DI water at a LFS but I know it's 0 nitrate, 0 phosphate and if I buy my SW from them pre-mixed I get it at 440 calc also

 

I have a 58 gal Oceanic with about 45 lbs of lr. and 80 lbs of aragonite sand. I have no LFS, as I live about three hours from anyway that has one, so doing most of my purchases online. I will prolly draw the line at fish however.

I purchased uncured rock so that I could cycle my tank without fish. I did add a xenia, star coral and a cabbage coral a couple of days ago. A friend was moving and had too much and didn't know what to do with it. So we dropped it in my tank. Is it possible that upset my cycle?

I am finding that there is no such thing as "economical" in this hobby, but what is a good buy on a RO unit. What would ya'll recommend?

 

Since you purchase uncured live rock imo your rock will need at least three to four more weeks to cure in your tank. As for a ro/di I don't personally hve one yet but the lfs I get my water uses a Kent marine unit and their water is excellent quality. Not sure on the price just know that they make 75 gallons a day. But just go slow lwet it grow.

 

kent makes a good product, airwaterice has some great ro/di's at good prices too plus their support is great

 

Still waiting for my cycle to begin. I tested my parameters today and they are the same as last week. Should I add a fish to start the cycle, or just wait for my uncured rock to do it?

 

In my opinion no. I would just wait. It took over 8wks for my bc29g to cycle. It is a long process, worst thing you can do is rush.

 

drop in a dead piece of shrimp

 

I agree with Amcarrig. Remember that cycling can last up to 12 weeks, so keep twiddling your thumbs. Just try not to go . Luna