Newb here, analyze my findings please?

[bronck83]

Just setup my first saltwater tank yesterday.
Biocube 14
10 lbs live sand
15 lbs live rock

Bought a hydrometer & water test kit today & here are my current findings about 24 hours after it was setup:

Hydrometer 1.019
pH 7.9
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 15
Avg. Temp 79.3

I've added more salt because I know that was a low reading but what about everything else considering its only been 24 hours? Any suggestions or stuff to look out for? Sorry for the crappy pics, all I have is my camera phone right now.

http://upshizzle.com/pfiles/5104/img031%20%28Medium%29.jpg
http://upshizzle.com/pfiles/5105/img032%20%28Medium%29.jpg

[MissT]

normal... just be patient!!!! You'll be glad you were later on.

[RayAllen]

So far so good. Wait 2 weeks and then test again.

[bronck83]

What are the ideal numbers I should be shooting for with these tests?

[MissT]

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate < 20
pH 8.2
KH 6-12 dKH
Calcium 380-460
Phosphates 0

[bronck83]

Are any tests more critical than the others? My current kit does not test KH/dKH, Calcium, & Phosphates.

[MissT]

At first the most important ones are going to be ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Once you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite, your tank is cycled and pretty much ready for your clean up crew.

[Richard]

After your tank has cycled and matures a bit the kits you will use the most are Calcium, KH, and Nitrate. You'll need to maintain Ca & Kh to keep your corals happy and growing. Nitrate is a good indicator of overall water quality so that can tell you when/how often you need to do water changes.

You don't have to have a phosphate kit because algae growth will tell you if you have a phosphate problem.

Your tank looks sooo clean right now. Right around the time it is done cycling you will see it turn brown with diatoms.

[crossxfire2]

You know how the nitrogen cycle works right?

[erikharrison]

Also take your water to a local fish store and have them do the whole run of tests as well. Take your swingarm hydrometer with you and test it against their stuff to ensure that all of your kits, and your hydro are functioning properly.

WELCOME TO MAAST!

Oh, DO NOT RUSH!

[RayAllen]

Oh and one more thing; Turn off your lights. No reason for them to be on right now; just going to cause unwanted algea problems during the cycle.

[Bill S]

Lights are debatable. I leave mine on. Coraline will grow, and some stuff on the rock might grow out.

[bronck83]

I'm only leaving them on a few hours a day right now.