darklordzulu Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 just started a new tank it's been over a month and did one water change. Wanting to no mainly what the ammonia is. . Quote Link to comment
Lugmos12 Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 ammonia .50ppm nitrite 0ppm nitrate 0-5ppm ph its too dark to see - maybe 8.4? you should read the test against a white backdrop for more accuracy 1 Quote Link to comment
Donny41 Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 This was how mine looked when I had my ammonia/nitrite spike. I feel that the saltwater api test always looks a bit green for ammonia, even if the reading is 0. I tested everyday and it looked like yours and I though there might be ammonia but then one day it looked like this and I'm pretty sure that's just how the 0 reading looks. Quote Link to comment
1891Bro Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 API teat almost always reads ammonia even if there isn’t any. What process did you use to get things started? i meant test but autocorrected to teat but I’m leaving it. 2 Quote Link to comment
Jono Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 1 hour ago, 1891Bro said: API teat almost always reads ammonia even if there isn’t any. What process did you use to get things started? i meant test but autocorrected to teat but I’m leaving it. Who doesn't love a good API Teat. Ammonia looks good to me. 2 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 2 hours ago, darklordzulu said: just started a new tank it's been over a month and did one water change. Wanting to no mainly what the ammonia is. . Nice glass! Cool tank too. 😉 1 Quote Link to comment
banasophia Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 35 minutes ago, Jono said: Who doesn't love a good API Teat. Ammonia looks good to me. The question is, if it has teats, can you milk it? 😳😼 Quote Link to comment
banasophia Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 But seriously... this is why I had to get some Hanna checkers and a Milwaukee... I have such a hard time differentiating the colors with the API test kits. Great idea to post pictures and ask for help! 👍 1 Quote Link to comment
KNelson Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Lugmos12 said: ammonia .50ppm nitrite 0ppm nitrate 0-5ppm ph its too dark to see - maybe 8.4? I agree with all but ammonia. API always looks a little green - it may not be 0, but it's really low. Quote Link to comment
darklordzulu Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 Ok thank you everyone. Do you think I should do a water change and wait longer to add cuc. I tried fishless cycle with live rock but realized a month in it wasn't working so threw a oco clown in my tank and it's been three weeks did a water change a week ago since tanks been up technically a month and three weeks. Was going to do water changes weekly or bit weekly depending on ammonia. My main thing is I'm thinking after the test that I need to wait longer I guess. Quote Link to comment
darklordzulu Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 Might as well add to my questions 😂. I also have been having issues with debris in my water it's small white particles from the live rock im guessing the mechanical filtration the black sponge just isn't getting the water that clean look. I also want to change media and use multiple types for a better reef. So suggestions for better media and filtration. Here's a picture of the back sump from the website. Thanks everyone. 🦐🦀🐙🦑🦈🐠🐟🐬🐋 Quote Link to comment
banasophia Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 3 minutes ago, darklordzulu said: Might as well add to my questions 😂. I also have been having issues with debris in my water it's small white particles from the live rock im guessing the mechanical filtration the black sponge just isn't getting the water that clean look. I also want to change media and use multiple types for a better reef. So suggestions for better media and filtration. Here's a picture of the back sump from the website. Thanks everyone. 🦐🦀🐙🦑🦈🐠🐟🐬🐋 Is it particles, or pods? 1 Quote Link to comment
banasophia Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 49 minutes ago, Clown79 said: Looks like 8.4 .50 0 0 Oh good, that’s how I would have read it! Those things make me feel so colorblind. 1 Quote Link to comment
KNelson Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 I cycled my tank with about 1/2 LR that was cycled with ammonia at the LFS and only had a small spike at about 3 weeks. 1 Quote Link to comment
Sailingeric Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 My ammonia testing looks like that too. You should be good. 1 Quote Link to comment
darklordzulu Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 It's particles not pods they don't freely float around. Quote Link to comment
Cannedfish Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 I'm certainly not an expert. Shoot, I'm barely an amateur, however I would probably replace that giant black sponge in the first chamber with a media basket and put two layers filter floss in the top most compartment of the media basket. I would do this for three main reasons: 1) the filter will remove particles and help polish you water, 2) with the floss being on the top, it will be easy to quickly change every other day or so(invest in a pair of reptile feeding tweezers), 3) while the giant black sponge may serve as a bio filter it is also a detritus trap and will likely end up being a nitrate factory (in my opinion its more trouble than its worth). With your media basket out of the way, I don't even know what I would do with the third chamber. I have never had that luxury of space. Literally, the possibilities are endless: reactor, UV sterilizer, chaeto reactor, fuge, guest bedroom, anything! 2 Quote Link to comment
darklordzulu Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 Ok thank you. Ya was looking into finding a media basket that will fit my tanks back sump compartment but can't find anything yet. I wanted to try floss but I feel like that sounds costly in the long run. So I wasn't sure if using a pad or sock would be better / just as effective and cheaper. I have a uv sterilizer in the actual tank because it's to large to fit in sump. As for chemical filtration anyone have ideas? I've read using multiple media is best. I'm just trying to find the most ideal set up for the back of my sump without spending money on unnecessary junk 😋. Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted May 23, 2018 Share Posted May 23, 2018 3 hours ago, darklordzulu said: Ok thank you. Ya was looking into finding a media basket that will fit my tanks back sump compartment but can't find anything yet. I wanted to try floss but I feel like that sounds costly in the long run. So I wasn't sure if using a pad or sock would be better / just as effective and cheaper. I have a uv sterilizer in the actual tank because it's to large to fit in sump. As for chemical filtration anyone have ideas? I've read using multiple media is best. I'm just trying to find the most ideal set up for the back of my sump without spending money on unnecessary junk 😋. You can make a basket from eggcrate or the plastic grid you can get at craft stores. I like the craft store plastic better for the media basket. It's super easy with zip ties. Filter floss is cheaper and far better to use. Sponges are nutrient factories, even washing them doesn't fully clean them. They are more expensive to replace as well. You can buy floss in bulk. In cda for a bag that last 6mnths (for 3 tanks) it's $12.99. You can also buy pillow stuffing floss for cheap. You cut to size, replace twice a week. I made my basket for my 5g. I was not about to pay $50us plus shipping for acrylic (no insult to anyone but that's way over priced) Cost me $2 to make it 1 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 2 hours ago, Clown79 said: I made my basket for my 5g. I was not about to pay $50us plus shipping for acrylic (no insult to anyone but that's way over priced) Cost me $2 to make it Right? Like my evo v was just $80.... the price is unjustifiable. What material is that btw? Is it like sewing canvas? Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 6 hours ago, darklordzulu said: Ok thank you. Ya was looking into finding a media basket that will fit my tanks back sump compartment but can't find anything yet. I wanted to try floss but I feel like that sounds costly in the long run. So I wasn't sure if using a pad or sock would be better / just as effective and cheaper. I have a uv sterilizer in the actual tank because it's to large to fit in sump. As for chemical filtration anyone have ideas? I've read using multiple media is best. I'm just trying to find the most ideal set up for the back of my sump without spending money on unnecessary junk 😋. I get a bag from Walmart for $7 and it’s going to last me probably 7-12 months. You can find what it looks like here 1 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 1 hour ago, CarolinaShoreReef said: Right? Like my evo v was just $80.... the price is unjustifiable. What material is that btw? Is it like sewing canvas? Ya, i believe so. 1 Quote Link to comment
KNelson Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 21 hours ago, CarolinaShoreReef said: I get a bag from Walmart for $7 and it’s going to last me probably 7-12 months. I'm 10 months in, use 3 fist-sized wads 3x week, and haven't even used 1/5 of the bag. By far the cheapest part of the maintenance! 1 Quote Link to comment
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