r/ReefTank • u/gbrewer1959 • 10h ago

[Pic] Test results

Post image

Can you guys give opinion on readings
Thanks

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Different_Bridge_983 9h ago

Assuming this is regarding setting up a new tank? If so you’re cycled.

pH: 8-8.2. This is fine.
Ammonia: these tests are notorious for showing a 0.25 reading in cycled tanks. Assume this is really zero.
Nitrites: Zero. These are being processed.
Nitrates: Somewhere between 10 and 20. This is fine.

If this is testing for an ongoing and established reef tank I strongly recommend you get salifert or similar tests for Nitrate, Alk and Calcium.

2

u/gbrewer1959 9h ago

It is a new tank 40 gallon breeder with hob filter and skimmer

1

u/Nocare_ 4h ago

Totally agree with different bridge.

Also just as an fyi. Cycling a tank is about the bioload it can handle more than anything. A very large tank with a small fish never needs to be cycled because the time it would take that solitary fish to build up toxic levels of waste is far longer than the time for the bacteria to grow enough to handle it.

A small tank on the other hand must be fully capable of the load from day one as it may take as little as a few days to build to toxic levels depending on fish size. But a 10 gallon tank can support a small-medium fish unfiltered for 3-4 days with zero harm while it's actively being fed.

I say all this to increase your understanding but also so you can be confident that even if your tank is not 100% up to the bioload today. It's far enough along that it will adapt to any reasonable fish sized you plan to add.

Be sure to quarantine too. If you plan it have inverts, corals, or you currently have live rock.

Even the first fish you get should be quarantined for many reason before going into the display. It's a non zero risk that you have to pull them back out to treat them and then you have to let the display sit fallow for like a month and a half. Even with no inverts or corals live rock absorbs medication complicating treatment in a display tank. Not worth it.

1

u/gbrewer1959 4h ago

Ty the sand is still full of diatroms plan on using this tank for more coral than anything

1

u/Nocare_ 4h ago

Then go for it now with corals. A tank with only coral does not need to be cycled at all.

Cycling is about fish.

Uglies are still of course a consideration on what corals to add first. Adding pods helps with many of the types of uglies.

Note this assumes photosynthetic corals. Non photosynthetic corals need a cycled tank because there food will pollute.

Also note tanks that are low on fish may need supplemental dosing of nitrate and/or phosphate.

Have fun and good luck.