New to reefing

[Solidjago]

Good day all hope you are well.

I recently got my tank set up and ordered a RODI unit, which will arrive on Monday.


I wanted to know the following as I will be mixing the salt water myself

- what is a good salt to use
- with the salt, do I need to add any additives while the tank is cycling?
- what do I need to monitor when the cycle begins and with what?
- When do I know it's ready

 

[Breado]

Hi bud. Tell us more in the filtration, will u be running a skimmer?

There are various salts on the market and your decision will be dependent budget and what u plan to keep. Good salts for corals is Aquaforest, Red Sea Blue bucket, Tropic Marin Pro salt. Then if u keeping easy corals or fish only tank, there is Aquamedic Reef Salt, Seachem Vibrant, Aqua Ocean, etc

When you mix your salt water, get your salinity to 1.025. You will need a good refractometer to test the salinity.Cycle will take 4-6weeks, after which u need to test ammonia and nitrate levels. You can use dry rock or live rock. I prefer dry rock.

 

[Solidjago]

hi there thanks for the response

I have a Reeftek skimmer and some other media in the sump, I went with Red Sea blue bucket.

I started the cycle yesterday with a good salinity of 1.025 as you said, it was daunting as I did the mixing myself.
It was awesome to start it up for the first time.

Is it normal if the water is not crystal clear?

​

 

[Journeyman]

Yes that is normal, you can check my link for the Boyu TL550 in my signature to see the process.