Cycle Question

[RandomReefer1]

Last night was the one week mark for my (fishless) cycle. 24 g cube.

I used fritz zyme 900, but mistakenly waited 24 hours to dose ammonia. Wasn’t expecting this to be a huge issue but I think I may have slowed the process down.

Since that first dose, NH3/NH4 (Red Sea kit) has been sloooooowly dropping from the 2 ppm mark, not sure if I went over 2 or not since the kit pretty much stops changing colors at that high end.

As of last night, I was reading ~1 ppm ammo, 1+ ppm nitrite, 2-5ppm nitrate. I’m mostly confused about the nitrate, bc the day prior I read higher like between 10-20 ppm. I dosed ammo again last night according to Dr. Tim’s. website. I did the same dose as day 1 (80 drops, 4 ml) which should bring me back up to about 3 ppm.

does this seem ok? Here’s my log. I didn’t record values for the first few days, also didn’t have heater until day 3. Tank is currently at 83.5.

 

[RandomReefer1]

Also I used dry rock, live sand, my skimmer is off, my lights are off, used filtered ocean water from my lfs (which had salinity right at 1.025), no power heads, and the only other filtration in the tank rn is the filter sponge and the little ceramic pieces that came with the tank.

PH is 7.8 and alk/dKH was around 8.75 when I tested it a few days ago. The alk is the one test I’m not as confident about, was a bit confused on when to start counting the drops.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would suggest to be more patient, let it be for another week, probably 2. Use the time to research, for example, reef tanks definately need power heads. Research different RODI units, a lot of water changes are needed at the beginning, buying it from LFS will be too expensive.

No need to test things like alk for a long while yet, not until there are corals in your tank really.

Temp is also too hot, dont forget to bring it down before adding livestock

 

[RandomReefer1]

Here’s my log. I didn’t record values the first few days but I was checking the ammo. Also I added a heater on day 3 I think (3/11)and brought the tank from 76 I would suggest to be more patient, let it be for another week, probably 2. Use the time to research, for example, reef tanks definately need power heads. Research different RODI units, a lot of water changes are needed at the beginning, buying it from LFS will be too expensive.

No need to test things like alk for a long while yet, not until there are corals in your tank really.

Temp is also too hot, dont forget to bring it down before adding livestock

I would suggest to be more patient, let it be for another week, probably 2. Use the time to research, for example, reef tanks definately need power heads. Research different RODI units, a lot of water changes are needed at the beginning, buying it from LFS will be too expensive.

No need to test things like alk for a long while yet, not until there are corals in your tank really.

Temp is also too hot, dont forget to bring it down before adding livestock

Thanks. No rush here, more so curious/excited.

Water changes - hearing a lot of differing opinions on this one. Will see what conclusive research is out there, if any, otherwise it seems somewhat counterintuitive to do this too soon.

Power heads - I hear you, probably will, but not high priority given my stocking intentions. My pump is flowing well.

Temp - Turned the heater up as I’ve read that bacteria will establish the fastest in 78-86 range. Will bring it down before adding livestock.

Alk - noted, this one I need to read up on.

 

[Gtinnel]

The test kit will give false positive readings for nitrate when there are nitrites in the water. So until your nitrites go down I wouldn’t even test nitrates. The important thing is that your tank can process ammonia quickly, nitrites are claimed to be not an issue in a saltwater tank.

 

[Gtinnel]

sorry double post

 

[RandomReefer1]

The test kit will give false positive readings for nitrate when there are nitrites in the water. So until your nitrites go down I wouldn’t even test nitrates. The important thing is that your tank can process ammonia quickly, nitrites are claimed to be not an issue in a saltwater tank.

Yea I hadn’t considered/ read this but makes sense now. I think I’m moving along well, will ignore nitrates until nitrites drop.