Cycling test results

thatguy88 · Jan 24, 2018

Hi everyone,

I recently started cycling my first saltwater aquarium... Here are the test results.

Any thoughts?

Big G · Jan 24, 2018

Welcome to R2R! How many days since you started? Looks like your ammonia is at zero, and your nitrites are climbing or peaked, and you are just starting to increase nitrates. Looks normal. Good job

thatguy88 · Jan 24, 2018

Almost 2 weeks... It'll be 2 weeks ok Friday. I used a died clam for 4 days as well as aquavitro seed for 7.

Big G · Jan 24, 2018

Usually takes 30 days or so for the Nitrites to peak and start declining. It's the longest stage. After that big water changes to drop Nitrates down to 20 ish or a bit less. Of course every tank is different. So your mileage may vary LOL. How big is the tank? Are you planning a reef tank or fish only?

thatguy88 · Jan 24, 2018

It's a biocube32, I'm planning for a reef with a few fish..

Would you say a 10 gallon water change would be enough once the nitrites drop?

Big G · Jan 24, 2018

You may be amazed how much water you have to change to lower the nitrates after the nitrites drop to zero. 50% and then 25% and probably 25% again. It's amazing. Of course every tank is a bit different depending on many variables. Lots of testing. Wait at least a couple of hours after each water change before testing to allow for complete mixing of the water column. Hope this helps a bit. Enjoy the build. Next you get the algae cycles.

mjlash22 · Jan 24, 2018

Did you use a quick cycle booster or just doing it the old fashioned way?

thatguy88 · Jan 24, 2018

Thanks for the help.

thatguy88 · Jan 24, 2018

mjlash22 said:
Did you use a quick cycle booster or just doing it the old fashioned way?

Almost 2 weeks... It'll be 2 weeks ok Friday. I used a died clam for 4 days as well as aquavitro seed for 7.

thatguy88 · Jan 25, 2018

Do these look any different to you guys?

Big G · Jan 25, 2018

Looks like your nitrites are dropping a bit. Yea! Here's a trick to looking at these color charts. In a place of bright light, squint your eyes a bit when comparing the colors from the tubes to the chart. My wife is an artist and she says that helps to "see" color changes and comparison. Hope this helps a bit. Cheers!

thatguy88 · Jan 25, 2018

Big G said:
Looks like your nitrites are dropping a bit. Yea! Here's a trick to looking at these color charts. In a place of bright light, squint your eyes a bit when comparing the colors from the tubes to the chart. My wife is an artist and she says that helps to "see" color changes and comparison. Hope this helps a bit. Cheers!

Thanks for the help, I thought I was just seeing things... I'll try your truck next time I test and see if it helps any.

Jesterrace · Jan 27, 2018

thatguy88 said:
It's a biocube32, I'm planning for a reef with a few fish..

Would you say a 10 gallon water change would be enough once the nitrites drop?

Personally I wouldn't do a water change until the nitrates drop or you can possibly start the cycle over again. I make that mistake the first time around and then followed my LFS advice and didn't do my first water change until my diatom bloom came and went. Obviously you will top up with RODI water as needed, just don't change the water until the cycle is totally done. Also just a personal recommendation. Ditch the API test kit and go with Red Sea, much more accurate and easier to read for Nitrate testing and the vials don't leak like API since they have screw tops.