New tank Help

[PrettyBoy]

hey guys i just bought my ten gallon tank,i put some sand that sandman had gave me and i applied some instant ocean salt,the salt level is fine.also its running through a aqua clear filter,what else am i suppose to do im not sure if the other levels are fine since i was low in cash and couldnt test the other things,does the ph adjusts by itself or is their other substances i have to buy?

 

[DevIouS]

im not sure if the other levels are fine since i was low in cash and couldnt test the other things,does the ph adjusts by itself or is their other substances i have to buy?

Test Kits........

How would you know if your tank is cycled, stable or whatever.

 

[digitalreefer]

Depending on your substrate and a few other factors, you may need a ph buffer... you really need test kits for the levels of everything else. I may get flamed for saying this, but cheap kits are better than no kits. You don't need precision to see if the levels are 0.

 

[DonCisco]

Another big factor in keeping some of the parameters right is Live Rock. Usually 1 lb per gallon. That will create enough bacterial load to help you with amonnia and nitrites. I agree with digital reef, any test kit is better than guessing. API makes a test kit, Reef master, tests for nitrate, phosphate, calcium, and carbonate hardness, you can pick it up at Petsmart for 30 bucks, not the best but is better than nothing. In a larger system the LR and LS tend to regulate some of the factors, but in a small tank, keeping tags on the water's chemistry is EXTREMELY important