Cycle - new to reefing <<<<<<<<HELP>>>>>>>>

[MSarro27]

Followed Dr. Tim instruction to the T. NO2 spiked to 1 ppm yesterday did a 30% water change. NO2 same today. PH increased to 8.3 and NH3 dropped to 0.8 from 1.2 ppm and NO3 went up to 10ppm from 5. Input appreciated thanks …...don't know where to go from here??? Parameter history listed below. Using Red Sea test kits and Hanna.

 

[RocketEngineer]

What’s the rush? Things look good so far. Ignore pH as it doesn’t impact much in a reef setup. I would be more worried about the temperature being that high. Otherwise have patience, relax, you’re on the right path.

 

[MSarro27]

What’s the rush? Things look good so far. Ignore pH as it doesn’t impact much in a reef setup. I would be more worried about the temperature being that high. Otherwise have patience, relax, you’re on the right path.

Dr Tim states bacteria grow faster between 80-85. Lower it to 78 post cycle. Is he wrong?

 

[sam2110]

If you have no fish just leave it alone don't do any water changes, you will drag it out otherwise. Dose a bit of flake food every 3 days and just leave well alone.

Also you might want to take a look at your salt levels again.

If you have fish in then thats a different ball game. Look at salt, temperature and everything eles

 

[Alphawolfxz3]

Give it time. Nothing happens fast in a reef environment. I would get that temperature under control and your ph will swing. Focuse more on cycling the tank and seeing the process take place and watch your nitrates and phosphates. And them from there you can start your ecosystem by getting hardy Invertebrates or so down the road.

 

[reefdoink]

You really shouldn't be doing a water change during a cycle unless nitrite gets really high. If you do a change water, don't disturb sand, rock or filter media as those things have most of your bacteria. So if your ammonia spiked that means one of your bacteria is getting stalled. You can just add more bacteria to fix this.

 

[Alphawolfxz3]

You really shouldn't be doing a water change during a cycle unless nitrite gets really high. If you do a change water, don't disturb sand, rock or filter media as those things have most of your bacteria. So if your ammonia spiked that means one of your bacteria is getting stalled. You can just add more bacteria to fix this.

I agree. The best thing would be to revamp the tanks immune system and add beneficial bacteria

 

[brandon429]

Your ammonia dropped/begins to go down right when the directions on the bottle said it would, that’s common we see. Nice cycle here. 10-14 days is how long dr tims bac takes to work, and your chart shows that too. The reason the other params look out of whack and the ammonia looks .8 when it’s really much lower is because that’s the best those test kits can read with a bunch of mixed metabolites in the water. You can change your water out now for new, and what’s attached to rocks and sand will remain behind and you are done.


*if you want to wait another month for wastewater to clear itself you can, but that sidesteps paying for ten day bacteria.

 

[MSarro27]

If you have no fish just leave it alone don't do any water changes, you will drag it out otherwise. Dose a bit of flake food every 3 days and just leave well alone.

Also you might want to take a look at your salt levels again.

If you have fish in then thats a different ball game. Look at salt, temperature and everything eles

Thanks...Dr T also recommended running at lower salinity levels during cycle.

 

[MSarro27]

You really shouldn't be doing a water change during a cycle unless nitrite gets really high. If you do a change water, don't disturb sand, rock or filter media as those things have most of your bacteria. So if your ammonia spiked that means one of your bacteria is getting stalled. You can just add more bacteria to fix this.

Didn’t disturb rocks or sand. Took water from top water column.

 

[MSarro27]

You really shouldn't be doing a water change during a cycle unless nitrite gets really high. If you do a change water, don't disturb sand, rock or filter media as those things have most of your bacteria. So if your ammonia spiked that means one of your bacteria is getting stalled. You can just add more bacteria to

Your ammonia dropped/begins to go down right when the directions on the bottle said it would, that’s common we see. Nice cycle here. 10-14 days is how long dr tims bac takes to work, and your chart shows that too. The reason the other params look out of whack and the ammonia looks .8 when it’s really much lower is because that’s the best those test kits can read with a bunch of mixed metabolites in the water. You can change your water out now for new, and what’s attached to rocks and sand will remain behind and you are done.


*if you want to wait another month for wastewater to clear itself you can, but that sidesteps paying for ten day bacteria.

Thanks Brandon. Read up on your posting for new cycles. Very informative!

 

[brandon429]

I know it’s very against the grain stuff, not many agree

yet

my sole goal was to align what reef conventions can pull off on time vs what forum cyclers have to go through= never. ending. cycles.

 

[MSarro27]

I know it’s very against the grain stuff, not many agree

yet

my sole goal was to align what reef conventions can pull off on time vs what forum cyclers have to go through

I’m just trying to do the right thing. Honestly never tested anything but ph and salinity in the 90’s. Never had a fish die. Was looking to get into mixed reef and a couple fish.

 

[lafarrow]

I’m just trying to do the right thing. Honestly never tested anything but ph and salinity in the 90’s. Never had a fish die. Was looking to get into mixed reef and a couple fish.

You are on the right path. Slow and steady wins the race. I did the old way too. New way has a lot more bells and whistles!

 

[MSarro27]

Bump