Sounds like a good plan.
Jennystyyle’s Red Sea Nano Max G2 Journal
- Thread starter jennystyyle
- Start date
T Diddy
Happy to be here
Geez! That’s a ton!
Your thread is really inspiring me. I am thinking I might start an envelope of cash lol
I know our reefing will slow down during the summer months when we shift gears to PNW boating season but I'm thinking more and more that a 35g all in one would be a great upgrade for our current tank.
I’m in the same boat. We have our boat in a marina on the Mississippi. Plus, we vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks at least once a summer. With the warm weather lately, I’m ready for some bass fishing.
jennystyyle
Member
Ahh yes. Summer. We spend a lot of time at our campground. We have a permanent sit for our RV. then go boating and sea-doing up near Georgian bay in Ontario 4th of July week.
Camp is close to home so I can stop in and monitor the tank. Additions will definitely slow in the summer though
Camp is close to home so I can stop in and monitor the tank. Additions will definitely slow in the summer though
Awesome!!!
jennystyyle
Member
The Mississippi would be nice. But I love Michigan and Ontario for the summer lake fun!
Our marina is 30 minutes from our house, so that’s nice. I grew up with my grandparents having a cabin on the Lake of the Ozarks. But, it’s gotten so popular/crowded that a 2 bed 1 bath 900 sq fr house on the lake is $350K
jennystyyle
Member
Hey all - Hopefully I can clarify my question with the history of the tank parameters
Start off it is a Red Sea 20 Gallon Nano G2
Nyos Pure Salt
Test kit - Hanna Reef Master. Note the Nitrite Kit is in ppBILLION (not million). So I am maxing out the kit with the 200 PPB or 0.2 PPM reading
The ammonia and Nitrates are doing exactly as I expect and dropping off to near zero, being a photometer, not color chart, I expect that I will always have a registerable reading. If I view the color, it appears to be 0 but it always gives a reading.
The concern is with the Nitrite. Being an ULR test it maxes out at 200 PPB. I'm struggling to get it to drop below the max capability, so I really have no idea where it really is. How important is Nitrite really in saltwater? Where should I go from here?
Dose small amounts of Ammonia and bacteria for a while?
Add a fish for ammonia source and dose bacteria?
Which bacteria would be best in this situation?
Recommendations for a good Nitirite test kit that measures in High Range? I hate color charts, but may need to resort to it
Start off it is a Red Sea 20 Gallon Nano G2
Nyos Pure Salt
Test kit - Hanna Reef Master. Note the Nitrite Kit is in ppBILLION (not million). So I am maxing out the kit with the 200 PPB or 0.2 PPM reading
The ammonia and Nitrates are doing exactly as I expect and dropping off to near zero, being a photometer, not color chart, I expect that I will always have a registerable reading. If I view the color, it appears to be 0 but it always gives a reading.
The concern is with the Nitrite. Being an ULR test it maxes out at 200 PPB. I'm struggling to get it to drop below the max capability, so I really have no idea where it really is. How important is Nitrite really in saltwater? Where should I go from here?
Dose small amounts of Ammonia and bacteria for a while?
Add a fish for ammonia source and dose bacteria?
Which bacteria would be best in this situation?
Recommendations for a good Nitirite test kit that measures in High Range? I hate color charts, but may need to resort to it
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As long as you have detectable nitrate, I wouldn’t be too concerned.
Alot of times nitrite is less toxic in marine tanks so you may good to go in adding fish
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php
Alot of times nitrite is less toxic in marine tanks so you may good to go in adding fish
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php
jennystyyle
Member
I figured out how to measure it on my kit.
I mixed 1/3 tank water with 2/3 fresh mix. The result was 148 ppb nitrite. Multiplied by 3 would make it 444 ppb or 0.444 ppm. Too high for my comfort.
I will add bacteria and ammonia source for another week or two and monitor further. I don’t want to rush it.
I mixed 1/3 tank water with 2/3 fresh mix. The result was 148 ppb nitrite. Multiplied by 3 would make it 444 ppb or 0.444 ppm. Too high for my comfort.
I will add bacteria and ammonia source for another week or two and monitor further. I don’t want to rush it.
Math is bad, you made me dizzy
jennystyyle
Member
Lol. I love math! I’m a former engineer turned lunch lady at the schools (now a director of food services). Had a mid life career change.Math is bad, you made me dizzy
It’s probably why I love the real numbers from the photometer rather than the color charts. lol
jennystyyle
Member
Tank is now 5 weeks old - Still no inhabitants. This is where I am at with it. Where would you go from here? I'm trying to get the nitrites down to the ZERO. I am dosing a capful of bacteria a day and 10 drops of Dr Tim's ammonia chloride to represent a fish daily to keep the bacteria working. Nitrites seem to be dropping very slowly, Nitrates rising slightly. Yesterday, I noticed some dark algae, reddish in color. I'll post a photo later when I can get a good picture with natural light. I'm sure that it is the beginning of the tank uglies that I am hoping to keep at bay before it gets out of control. First planned fish is a Royal Gramma, when the tank is ready.
All tests are done with the Marine Master Photometer at approximately 5am. Dosing and water changes are completed immediately following test completion. I'm sure the scatter is a combination of the test accuracy and my ability to measure 10 ml of sample consistently.
All tests are done with the Marine Master Photometer at approximately 5am. Dosing and water changes are completed immediately following test completion. I'm sure the scatter is a combination of the test accuracy and my ability to measure 10 ml of sample consistently.
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A water change certainly couldn’t hurt at this point. And BTW, these days we don’t shoot for zero nitrate. In fact, many of us (me included) actually ADD nitrate. I add about 1.5-2 mL per day to my 40.
jennystyyle
Member
I’m looking for zero nitrite. I may have stated wrong. I’ll have to look.
I change 1/2 gallon daily. Maybe I’ll do a bigger one today. 3 gallons. I estimate that it contains about 16 gallons after the live rock and sand. So maybe 3 gallon change
I change 1/2 gallon daily. Maybe I’ll do a bigger one today. 3 gallons. I estimate that it contains about 16 gallons after the live rock and sand. So maybe 3 gallon change
jennystyyle
Member
I mean if it were me, I'd add low risk/cost inhabitants and watch how they react/contribute to the cycle then address the issues if it gets worse with water changes etc. but I'm sorta impatient and don't like staring at an empty tank. for my office tank I started with just snails, and then a rescue zoa. And then I added a single orchid dottyback. The fish is doing very well, the snails are keeping much of the algae at bay, the only thing struggling is the zoas are operating at about 50% but I am really starting to wonder if it's due to an insufficient light because I took some of them home to my main tank and after a couple weeks they started growing.
Sorry, I somehow missed this response. I'd agree with Dustin on next steps. Honestly, the algae you posted pictures of doesn't look bad to me and is likely just part of the ugly phase.
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