Cycling update

Well it's been about a month since I put in my live rock and started cycling my first saltwater tank, and I have a few questions. I recently tested my cycle and got these numbers:

Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, and Nitrate 20ppm, pH is at 8.4

I've been running my Coralife Super Skimmer and have not done a water change. I also haven't tested my calcium or magnesium yet. LFS said to wait until I put corals in tank, does this sound right?

I've included some pictures. Starting in the front center going to the right side of the tank you will notice brown algae or diatoms building up on rocks and sand.

I almost bought some snails today, but wasn't sure if I should wait longer. I also don't know if I should do my partial water change before or after I add a small cleanup crew?

My rocks were put in the tank for cycling, so I need to aquascape. Should I do this just before my water change?

Lastly, I have read some other posts on new tanks cycling and they say they have an abundance of copepods. I don't seem to have any, if they are easily seen swimming around. Is this a problem? I did use tap water as my RO/DI filter had not come in yet. I am not even sure how to hook it up, but I am concerned that I don't see any pods?

Appreciate any comments

 

Personally I don't consider the cycle complete until the diatoms are gone. But I would put a clean-up crew in at this time and / or a small fish or 2 if that's what your going to do. But, I would wait awhile to introduce any corals. Almost time to start having fun!!

 

i would do a water change before you put your cleaner crew.but i wouldnt use tap water thats whats causing the brown.the clean up crew would stop that.did you have a fish or sumthing to cycle your tank?

 

Just let the tank run for a while. For one, using tap water will cause a lot of problems down the road. Have no clue why your LFS would tell you that you didn't need to test for Mg, Ca, plus ALK...you need to make sure these parameters are up and rock steady.
As for your skimmer...I myself would shut it off, what are you skimming anyway??? You are taking out elements that the tank needs to develope right now.

 

Otty, I would not be posting on this site if I wasn't taking people's advice. My last thread was on water circulation and powerheads, so I am not sure which thread you are talking about. The only time I can recall asking about water changes was if I should do any during the cycle, since some people say you should and other say don't. Just to let you know, I have taken advice from 3 reefers and have not done any water changes.

Now that I am almost done with my cycle, my question pertains to when I should do my water change. I've read that I should do about a 50% water change when cycle is complete. I just don't know if I should do this before or after getting snails and aquascaping.

I cycled my tank with live rock and live sand. I was going to use a raw shrimp, but I thought it was too late in the process to add it.

I do appreciate all replies.

 

I personally would recycle using the RO/DI that tap water is prop full of silicates, ammonia, chlorines, heavy metals, sulphur, and the list goes on. If your not going to do this i would run some heavy carbon and phosphate remover for a while and get a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter for like 30 bucks to see if you need to drain the tank because of funk tap water. Get the tds first and then follow the other steps if needed.

 

If it was me I would test my water and if there is nothing wrong then why change water????? But you need to check for everything.

 

I will test my water for everything, but am I wrong in thinking I need to do a water change at the end of the cycling? Otty are you saying that once my cycling is finished, then just slowly add livestock without a water change?

 

i just finished cycling too my readings were all good , steady for a week i added a small fish and 3 hermits. i just did a water change and the next day my tank is getting cloudy and there is a white kinda ash like film on the glass. Now i kind wish i would have waited a lil longer to do the water change.

 

What otty was saying was if your water parameters are straight then a water change is completely unecessary but if they arent you should do a waterchange.;D