started a 29 gallon saltwater tank need advice

[azndragoon]

thx for the advice, it hekped a lot

 

[rcervel]

Get some CURED LR from a LFS. And also pickup the API Saltwater Test kit. You need to cycle your tank until all your parameters spike and then come back to zero.

Please read this link. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84572

I never saw any spike when I cycled my 29gal. I just used cured LR to cycle. I've still never seen any ammonia or nitrite in my tank, nitrates have been steady at about 5ppm. This with weekly 3 gal WC. Had I waited for a spike I'd still be waiting. I guess some of it has to do with the quality of the Live Rock you purchase.

 

[BucJason]

I prefer the via aqua titanium heaters....They are nice because you can adjust the temperature without reaching in the tank, and the thermometer sensor is seperate from the heater itself, so it seems to be more accurate.

How long to cycle?? As long as it takes. Your tank will let you know when it's ready. You need a source of ammonia though. You can either use a starter fish like a Damsel ( which i don't recommend) pure ammonia drops, or drop in a couple pieces of dead shrimp and let them rot. Then test the water until it's cycled.

But get some live rock right away , it helps the cycle go quicker.