New To Fish Keeping, My Big Journal

[Sharm]

When the tank is cycling, you keep it at the usual temperature, between 24 and 26c (67-69ish in old money)

Does your refractometer have Automatic Temperature Correction build in? If not, you'll have to calibrate it from calibration solution at the tank's temperature If the refractometer has ATC you can calibrate it at room temperature if you allow it 30 seconds or so to adjust for you

HTH
Rabbut

sorry you have lost me know, it hasn't got an automatic temperature correction, but it tell you to give it 30 seconds for the temperature. Does this mean the reading i get, is the actual correct figure?

also i've just done an ammonia test and it was between 0.25 and 0.5, is that normal for the start of a cycle?

 

[seffieuk]

sorry you have lost me know, it hasn't got an automatic temperature correction, but it tell you to give it 30 seconds for the temperature. Does this mean the reading i get, is the actual correct figure?

Did you buy an already calibrated refractometer, most seem to be now a days. You can test this by using distilled water - should get a reading of 0.

Bring your water up to the correct temp, add your salt, allow the powerhead to do it's business for 24 hours and then test using your refractometer

also i've just done an ammonia test and it was between 0.25 and 0.5, is that normal for the start of a cycle?

Yes, indeed - you are officially in your cycle

Seffie x

 

[Sharm]

YEY! finally started my cycle. how long should i have my lights on for?

I've just checked my ro water which i got from fish shop, and its 1.004. so if i turn the screw to make that 0, i will have be able to get an accurate reading? oh and i did this using a touch, since there is no sun light at the mintue, hope that doesnt affect it?

 

[Trod]

To get an accurate reading from your refractometer you must use either distilled water or unsalted (pure) RO water first, use the screw to calibrate it to 0, (move line so it reads 0) Then you can test your salted water and you should get true reading

You should use natural daylight to test SG.

 

[Sharm]

To get an accurate reading from your refractometer you must use either distilled water or unsalted (pure) RO water first, use the screw to calibrate it to 0, (move line so it reads 0) Then you can test your salted water and you should get true reading

You should use natural daylight to test SG.

i've just checked the calibration and it was 0.001 out, that is done in daylight, compared to last night. I'm coming out with 1.024 SG and 0.5 ammonia.

 

[seffieuk]

To get an accurate reading from your refractometer you must use either distilled water or unsalted (pure) RO water first, use the screw to calibrate it to 0, (move line so it reads 0) Then you can test your salted water and you should get true reading

You should use natural daylight to test SG.

i've just checked the calibration and it was 0.001 out, that is done in daylight, compared to last night. I'm coming out with 1.024 SG and 0.5 ammonia.

Looking good - when you do your big water change you can increase your SG or as you have no live stock, you could add it when you top-up after evaperation - add salt water of a slightly higher SG to bring it up to about 1.025 or 26

Lights, well I started straight away with 12 hours on and 12 off

Seffie x

 

[Sharm]

these are my test values, are these okay? i know i need to increase my sg when i top up.

Temp: 25.2 - 25.4
Ph: 8.1
NH3: 0.5
N03: 10
NO2: 0.1
Sal: 1.024

Also my protein skimmer has gone crazy, there is loads of form in the collect cup and i've empties this once. I've been doing some aquascaping, so could this be the reason behind this?

 

[rabbut]

The skimmer will just be grabbing the remains of dead stuff of the rock, perfectly normal at the start of the cycle you'll be pleased to know

Nitrite (NO2) showing already, that's good, it should make for a faster cycle time for you

By all means, calibrate your refractometer as Trod describes, but it won't give an accurate reading. You might get close with that method with a lab grade refractometer (that cost £500+), but not with hobbyist level ones that have prism defects in most cases. It will be accurate enough calibration though, as the main thing with marine salinity is that it is stable at all times To get a truly accurate reading though, you need to calibrate off a calibration standard fluid, with a set and know salinity in the range that you expect to test with your refractometer This said, I use Trods method of calibration on my refractometer, despite having access to calibration standard fluid...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Sharm]

Water tests today, Day 6.

Temp: 25.5°C
NH3: 0.25
N03: 25
NO2: 0.1
Sal:1.025


I checked the temp this morning when I got home from work, it was 6:30 so the lights hadn't been on for awhile and the temp had drop by a degree to 24.4°C. will this temp change be okay? I guess it helps simulates night and day?

 

[rabbut]

Ideally, you don't want any temperature swings, but just over 1c for a tank in summer isn't too bad...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Sharm]

I've just seen a worm or somthing in the tank! its quite long, thin and pale yellow. I've triued taking a picture, but it wasnt clear. what is it? i've just put abit of extra sand into tody so im guessing its from that. is it good or bad?

 

[BigC]

Most common worms you'll find will be Bristleworms and its more than likely to be one of those sp.
Some folks don't like them but I personally don't have a problem with them as they clear up all uneaten food.
Drop some pellet food in and see if it shows itself or selves.
You definitely don't want a Eunice worm.
Regards
C

 

[Sharm]

I've just had a look at eunice worm pictures, and it didn't look like one of them. I'll keep a look out for it, but i dont think i would see it when its on or in the sand.

I've take a picture of my tank just so I can do a before and after picture, in later months.

 

[Sharm]

Results today are

NO2 0.1
NH3 0.25
SG 1.023
temp 25.4

I didn't do the rest because its getting abit dark now and its sending my eyes funny haha

 

[bagu]

lovely scaping!