New 29g Biocube! SW noob

[dhutch]

These are the results

pH 8.1
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm

Did you ever see a spike in amonia and nitrite?

What method did you use to start your cycle? Shrimp?

[luisht]

These are the results

pH 8.1
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm

[dhutch]

That's a good sign. The diatom bloom should go away on its own after a week or so. Another week or two and you should be good to go. Do you have a test kit to measure Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, and pH?

[luisht]

[dhutch]

Since yesterday my tank is starting to show diatoms on the rocks and sand, and today im seeing green algae on a couple of the rocks, does that mean im getting closer to the end of the cycle?

Not necessarily the end but you are definitely cycling.

[luisht]

Since yesterday my tank is starting to show diatoms on the rocks and sand, and today im seeing green algae on a couple of the rocks, does that mean im getting closer to the end of the cycle?

[dhutch]

They can be a bit of a pain to get out if you don't muscle them out. I removed mine while the tank was still empty on the ground and using some body weight with the hammer made it pretty easy.

[luisht]

I wasn't able to get it out but I was able to push it down far enough to fit my heater, thank you.

Right now i have 31 lb of LR, i put a couple in chamber 2

[dhutch]

Lookin good! You are probably going to want to add more rock later on, but there is no need for it right now.

How did the chamber 1 mod go?

P.S. - The tank took 3 weeks to cycle.

[luisht]

IMGP0991.jpg
Here is the tank Day 3

[luisht]

OH yeah I forgot about that false bottom! Take the handle of a hammer and push down on the plastic piece. It will pop right out.

Ok, i'll try that

[dhutch]

OH yeah I forgot about that false bottom! Take the handle of a hammer and push down on the plastic piece. It will pop right out.

[luisht]

The problem is that chamber 1 has a false bottom, im gonna try to remove it to make space for the heater.
How long did it take your tank to cycle?

[dhutch]

How tall is your heater?! The first chamber should be full of water all the way up to the overflow portion into chamber 2. That's easily 10 inches in height. I have the top of the heater just above the water level; so I can adjust temperature if I needed. Did you just buy that heater or did it come with your setup? If you can return it, I'd go get the heater I have as it fits perfect with space to spare.

[luisht]

I have a 100w Visi Therm heater, but chamber 1 is not deep enough for the heater to be submerged and chamber 3 same thing the water only covers half of the heater, so i had to put it attached to the glass on the side, how did u make it fit there? I have the Oceanic brand skimmer.