Cycling my tank, first time using test kits, am I doing this right?

[Zoe’s Reef]

Hi all! I'm currently cycling my new BioCube 32g with dry rock, live sand, and DrTim's One and Only kit. I've added the bacteria, have been feeding the ammonium chloride like the directions say, and have been water testing. I've never done my own water tests before, and I wanted to share my numbers to make sure that 1. I'm doing these tests correctly and the numbers make sense, and 2. if it looks like my tank is cycling properly? Anything you all can share with me is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

9/10 Day 1: Added DrTim's One and Only bacteria and ammonia drops
9/11 Day 2: pH = 8.23, NH3 = 0.25, NO2 = 0.1
9/12 Day 3: Added ammonia drops
9/13 Day 4: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 1.5, NO2 = 0.2
9/14 Day 5: pH = 8.2, NH3 = 1.4, NO2 = 0.4
9/15 Day 6: Added ammonia drops
9/16 Day 7: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 1.5, NO2 = 0.4
9/17 Day 8: pH = 8.0, NH3 = 0.5, NO2 = 0.3

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Oh, also, I'm using Salifert test kits if anyone is wondering.

 

[Pistondog]

Hi all! I'm currently cycling my new BioCube 32g with dry rock, live sand, and DrTim's One and Only kit. I've added the bacteria, have been feeding the ammonium chloride like the directions say, and have been water testing. I've never done my own water tests before, and I wanted to share my numbers to make sure that 1. I'm doing these tests correctly and the numbers make sense, and 2. if it looks like my tank is cycling properly? Anything you all can share with me is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

9/10 Day 1: Added DrTim's One and Only bacteria and ammonia drops
9/11 Day 2: pH = 8.23, NH3 = 0.25, NO2 = 0.1
9/12 Day 3: Added ammonia drops
9/13 Day 4: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 1.5, NO2 = 0.2
9/14 Day 5: pH = 8.2, NH3 = 1.4, NO2 = 0.4
9/15 Day 6: Added ammonia drops
9/16 Day 7: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 1.5, NO2 = 0.4
9/17 Day 8: pH = 8.0, NH3 = 0.5, NO2 = 0.3

Can you check the nitrates?
That is the final product that is less toxic to livestock
Ammonia to Nitrite to nitrate, which should be increasing.
then we have to find a way to export nitrates.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Can you check the nitrates?
That is the final product that is less toxic to livestock
Ammonia to Nitrite to nitrate, which should be increasing.
then we have to find a way to export nitrates.

I was out of town for a few days, but came back yesterday and did more water tests.
pH = 8.15
NH3 = 0.2
NO2 = 0.2

And I also tested my nitrates, which came in at 100ppm... does this make sense? It was my first time using the nitrate test kit and getting a level scoop of the powder was a bit tricky for me. Just so I understand, the nitrate export would then be my filtration? I'll be running purigen and chemipure elite (and filter floss). When do I add that to the tank?

Thank you!!

 

[cshouston]

Nitrate export is done through water changes, conversion to nitrogen gas by anaerobic bacteria if your system supports that to some degree, or something like a refugium/algae reactor. You can also use carbon dosing with a product like Red Sea’s NO3: PO4-X (or even vodka) if you have a skimmer.

I’d add the filter floss once you start adding livestock. Be cautious with chemipure/Purigen because it can remove a lot of organics which would otherwise feed your corals, and can cause issues that crop up in nutrient-deficient systems. I don’t use them, personally.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Nitrate export is done through water changes, conversion to nitrogen gas by anaerobic bacteria if your system supports that to some degree, or something like a refugium/algae reactor.

Thank you! So since my nitrates are at 100ppm, does that mean it's time for a water change?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you! So since my nitrates are at 100ppm, does that mean it's time for a water change?

I would change water and also verify your readings by taking a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test water for you to verify your readings

 

[brandon429]

Cycling a new Biocube 32

Hello all! My name is Daniel from Florida and I’m starting to get into the reef hobby. I have been cycling my tank for two weeks now and logging it into an app. I have recently been gifted a live rock with some good amount of coralline on it. I also got some water from and established tank. My...

www.reef2reef.com

You will like that. its a roadmap to a cycled biocube 32, a direct analog for your system. see where your tank is likely to be at in 5 months beforehand. your cycle is complete for the same reasons his was, your two tanks are very very alike.

notice the trials from the last 5 pages, be ready with these dry rocks setups, a battle is coming.

 

[cshouston]

Thank you! So since my nitrates are at 100ppm, does that mean it's time for a water change?

I’d be shocked if you actually had 100ppm. 1ppm of ammonia converts to around 3.6ppm of nitrate, so you’d need to have added around 28ppm of ammonia in the last week. Doesn’t sound right to me. Once your ammonia is reading 0, then a water change before adding any livestock would be advisable.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

I would change water and also verify your readings by taking a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test water for you to verify your readings

Thank you! The closest LFS to me is 2 hours away, will a water sample last that long?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you! The closest LFS to me is 2 hours away, will a water sample last that long?

Yes. For ICP TESTING, one has to mail it in generally 8 days before it is tested

 

[Pistondog]

Yes. For ICP TESTING, one has to mail it in generally 8 days before it is tested

I don't think icp tests nitrate or phosphate, triton anyway

 

[brandon429]

before you drive, these questions:

how many days on the bottle does it say to completion once you've fed the bacteria

have you met that many days

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Cycling a new Biocube 32

Hello all! My name is Daniel from Florida and I’m starting to get into the reef hobby. I have been cycling my tank for two weeks now and logging it into an app. I have recently been gifted a live rock with some good amount of coralline on it. I also got some water from and established tank. My...

www.reef2reef.com

You will like that. its a roadmap to a cycled biocube 32, a direct analog for your system. see where your tank is likely to be at in 5 months beforehand. your cycle is complete for the same reasons his was, your two tanks are very very alike.

notice the trials from the last 5 pages, be ready with these dry rocks setups, a battle is coming.

before you drive, these questions:

how many days on the bottle does it say to completion once you've fed the bacteria

have you met that many days

I'm using DrTim's One and Only, and their chart has you add bacteria on Day 1, and ammonia drops on Day 1, 3, 6, then add fish on Day 9. Day 14 is their first recommended 25% water change, and that's where their chart ends (so they're assuming the tank would be cycled by then).

Day 14 for me is tomorrow, and I just tested today with pH = 8.15, NH3 = <0.15, NO2 = 0.2, NO3 = 100, KH = 6.1, PO4 = 0, Ca = 470

I hope that makes sense!

 

[92Miata]

Many nitrate tests actually convert a percentage of nitrate to nitrite and then measure that. If you've still got nitrite, you'll get nonsense readings for nitrate.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Actually, here's my whole cycling record so far:

9/10 Day 1: Added DrTim's One and Only bacteria and ammonia drops
9/11 Day 2: pH = 8.23, NH3 = 0.25, NO2 = 0.1
9/12 Day 3: Added ammonia drops
9/13 Day 4: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 1.5, NO2 = 0.2
9/14 Day 5: pH = 8.2, NH3 = 1.4, NO2 = 0.4
9/15 Day 6: Added ammonia drops
9/16 Day 7: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 1.5, NO2 = 0.4
9/17 Day 8: pH = 8.0, NH3 = 0.5, NO2 = 0.3
9/18 Day 9: Out of town
9/19 Day 10: Out of town
9/20 Day 11: Out of town
9/21 Day 12: pH = 8.15, NH3 = 0.2, NO2 = 0.2, NO3 = 100 (which may be an incorrect nitrate reading due to user error)
9/22 Day 13: pH = 8.15, NH3 = <0.15, NO2 = 0.2, NO3 = 100, KH = 6.1, PO4 = 0, Ca = 470

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Many nitrate tests actually convert a percentage of nitrate to nitrite and then measure that. If you've still got nitrite, you'll get nonsense readings for nitrate.

I'm using Salifert's test, as of today I have 0.2 nitrite, and my nitrate is reading 100.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't think icp tests nitrate or phosphate, triton anyway

They do. . . just checked my last two and theyre on the list

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

If you have virtually any nitrite your salifert nitrate test will be inaccurately high. FYI.

 

[JCOLE]

I'm using Salifert's test, as of today I have 0.2 nitrite, and my nitrate is reading 100.

Just to check. You are reading down the top of the sample vial and not through the sides, correct?