Is it safe

[mwoodruff964]

Here is the scoop I have a 10 gallon nano that I just started up about a week ago. It currently has about 12lbs of fiji live rock that was cured and in great shape from the LFS. I just performed a 20% water change and the water parameters are as follows:

Ammonia-.50ppm
Nitrites-.00ppm
Nitrates-00ppm
ph level-8.2
SG-1.024
Salinty-32
Temp-77.6 F

These reading have stayed the same since I started the tank up, my question the ammonia level low enought to add a small clean up crew or should I wait longer, I am leaning more towards waiting, but was wondering if this is normal for a week old tank. Any help would be great, thanks:)

[imcosmokramer]

wait. Get your ammonia to 0. This will teach you a good lesson. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Use the time to read, read, and read.

And yes, it's normal

[Playa-1]

You need to wait until the
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate 0

When Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate are a zero and the tank is stable for a few days then you will be ready to add a small clean up crew and a fish. This would be a great time to do some reading, I would pay special attention to the benefits of a QT.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/tips/index.php

I would also bring the Salinity up to 1.026

[mwoodruff964]

ok thanks thats what i thought everything should read, why do u suggest i bring up the SG to 1.026 playa-1

[Michael]

i agree with playa hes a great guy and ive learned a lot from him, however i would say the nitrate wont have to be 0, when the ammonia and nitrite have been 0 for 2-3 days, do a 20% water change to dilute any nitrate thats formed, you can then add some cuc, i did it that way they are still alive and happy today, however there must not be any ammonia at all, lots of tanks have nitrate and still thrive, but obviously 0 is best, as for the sg again i agree 1.026 is best

[mwoodruff964]

ok thanks michael i will be sure to bring the sg to 1.026 thanks everybody for all ur input

[vamaro]

My tank (220 gallon) is new and has been at .25 for the last week. I purchased a "Master Test Kit" but I am finding that the results do vary. For example, I tested and gopt a 0 reading, then ran a second test a few miniutes later and got .25.

I am just going to wait it out for a month or so. I am in no hurry to kill fish.

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13761467#post13761467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vamaro
My tank (220 gallon) is new and has been at .25 for the last week. I purchased a "Master Test Kit" but I am finding that the results do vary. For example, I tested and gopt a 0 reading, then ran a second test a few miniutes later and got .25.

I am just going to wait it out for a month or so. I am in no hurry to kill fish.

thats a good attitude and you will get success with itis the .25 ammonia, nitrate or nitrite