Setting up my 150 gallon tank....question re: cycling and is my tank 'ready'

[naesco]

For a great book I recommend.
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists by Robert Fenner

[TheRealBigAL]

Originally Posted by naesco

For a great book I recommend.
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists by Robert Fenner

+100 Great Book !!!!!

[newreefer_59]

Thanks all very much for the excellent responses. I am fairly in-tune with the basics, so I was mainly referring to other elements such as calcium, magnesium, phosphates, potassium levels/tests and the like. I should have been a little more clear with that The nitrite is 0 and ammonia is .1, but the algae is still evident, tho better than a few weeks back.

I have had a smaller salt water tank for several years, but find there is so much more to know with a reef set-up.

Oh, and I would still like to know if the 'bacterboost' I was sold several weeks ago is something that is beneficial to the continual operation, or an additional additive not needed, and appreciate any advice on that.

[marie]

I think its safe to say you could start researching different fish species to find out which ones you want and can keep, some are more aggressive then others and you want the least agressive to go in first. It's been nearly 3 months since you set up the tank so you can probably start adding fish soon, 1 at a time unless they are really small.

By all means get the above test kits mentioned but be aware you probably won't get any ammonia and nitrite readings and maybe even 0 nitrate readings if you haven't been putting any food in the tank