Day 3, cycle started, but seems low.

[LiveRockDaddy]

My tank is now on day 3 (started 9/19).

Current levels are as follows (9/21) -
Ammonia - 0.50ppm
Nitrite - 20ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
SG - 1.025
Temperature - 77*F

It's doing something, so now I'm wondering if I should cancel my order of TurboStart 900? or should I just use it as it wouldn't hurt? I used LR from the LFS that was in an established tank (LR ONLY). Last time I cycled a tank was 13/14 years ago using a piece of frozen cod and my AM levels were much higher.

 

[TheReefDiary]

My tank is now on day 3 (started 9/19).

Current levels are as follows (9/21) -
Ammonia - 0.50ppm
Nitrite - 20ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
SG - 1.025
Temperature - 77*F

It's doing something, so now I'm wondering if I should cancel my order of TurboStart 900? or should I just use it as it wouldn't hurt? I used LR from the LFS that was in an established tank (LR ONLY). Last time I cycled a tank was 13/14 years ago using a piece of frozen cod and my AM levels were much higher.

Adding the bacteria won't really hurt anything. Also if you don't have fish in the tank you could dose a small amount of ammonium chloride and see how quickly the tank gets rid of it.

 

[TheReefDiary]

Adding the bacteria won't really hurt anything. Also if you don't have fish in the tank you could dose a small amount of ammonium chloride and see how quickly the tank gets rid of it.

I just recently set up my first tank and that's how I went about checking if I was cycled. The tank quickly got rid of the ammonium chloride and I knew I was cycled. Waited a few more days then added my first fish.

You can't really overdose on beneficial bacteria so adding the fritz won't hurt. I actually have a bottle of api quick start I add when I introduce new fish.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

I just recently set up my first tank and that's how I went about checking if I was cycled. The tank quickly got rid of the ammonium chloride and I knew I was cycled. Waited a few more days then added my first fish.

You can't really overdose on beneficial bacteria so adding the fritz won't hurt. I actually have a bottle of api quick start I add when I introduce new fish.

My nearest pet store is roughly 45 mins - I'm in the middle of nowhere LOL. I might have to make a trip today. My nitrates are still at 0, so I'll check again tomorrow.

 

[TheReefDiary]

My nearest pet store is roughly 45 mins - I'm in the middle of nowhere LOL. I might have to make a trip today. My nitrates are still at 0, so I'll check again tomorrow.

Got ya. The fact that you used live rock from an established tank means you should be cycled pretty quickly, if not immediately.

Missed that part of your post.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Got ya. The fact that you used live rock from an established tank means you should be cycled pretty quickly, if not immediately.

Missed that part of your post.

Fingers crossed - the kids are excited for Nemo's, as they call them, and want to get them this weekend LOL.

 

[TheReefDiary]

Fingers crossed - the kids are excited for Nemo's, as they call them, and want to get them this weekend LOL.

Honestly from those numbers and using the rock from an established tank I assume you shouldn't have a problem. But as everyone says patience is the hardest part about this hobby (I'm still learning that).

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

My previous tank I rushed at first. I ended up being successful and had 2 tomato clowns, an Ocellaris, a Naso Tang, a CUC and a shrimp. This setup I have now will only be 2 clowns (not sure which ones we want to go with yet), a small CUC, and some hardy corals.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Idk about what levels of ammonia you should be seeing on day three, but I usually feed a cycling tank with fish food or a raw shrimp, etc. Then I wait about 4-6 weeks and test levels before anything live goes in.

 

[TheReefDiary]

My previous tank I rushed at first. I ended up being successful and had 2 tomato clowns, an Ocellaris, a Naso Tang, a CUC and a shrimp. This setup I have now will only be 2 clowns (not sure which ones we want to go with yet), a small CUC, and some hardy corals.

I have a 13.5g. It's heavily stocked, but what can I say I enjoy the movement and don't mind doing more frequent water changes.

You can see my build thread on my profile. Actually adding my first corals on Thursday and super excited!

 

[Garf]

Fingers crossed - the kids are excited for Nemo's, as they call them, and want to get them this weekend LOL.

Have you added any type of ammonia source ? At all?
Had a peak at your build thread and it looks like dark (no light) live rock, if that’s indeed what it is.

 

[TheReefDiary]

Have you added any type of ammonia source ? At all?
Had a peak at your build thread and it looks like dark (no light) live rock, if that’s indeed what it is.

I'm pretty sure he's cycled since the established live rock, but never bad to add an ammonia source to see how the tank processes it.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Have you added any type of ammonia source ? At all?
Had a peak at your build thread and it looks like dark (no light) live rock, if that’s indeed what it is.

Lighting includes the factory bulb style 10K daylight and Actinic.
The only source of ammonia is the LR from the LFS that had it in an established tank.

EDIT: I used CaribSea Live Sand as well.

 

[Tamberav]

My tank is now on day 3 (started 9/19).

Current levels are as follows (9/21) -
Ammonia - 0.50ppm
Nitrite - 20ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
SG - 1.025
Temperature - 77*F

It's doing something, so now I'm wondering if I should cancel my order of TurboStart 900? or should I just use it as it wouldn't hurt? I used LR from the LFS that was in an established tank (LR ONLY). Last time I cycled a tank was 13/14 years ago using a piece of frozen cod and my AM levels were much higher.

I don't think the amount of ammonia matters... the food is there for the bacteria. Plus you used live rock so naturally it should be lower as the bacteria are at hard work converting it already.

Turbostart won't hurt but isn't necessary either.

 

[Garf]

Lighting includes the factory bulb style 10K daylight and Actinic.
The only source of ammonia is the LR from the LFS that had it in an established tank.

EDIT: I used CaribSea Live Sand as well.

I’m guessing you’ve got the nitrite and nitrate numbers mixed up.

 

[Crustaceon]

Idk about what levels of ammonia you should be seeing on day three, but I usually feed a cycling tank with fish food or a raw shrimp, etc. Then I wait about 4-6 weeks and test levels before anything live goes in.

Same here. I personally wouldn't bother testing the tank at day three. I probably wouldn't even look at it until day 14.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

I’m guessing you’ve got the nitrite and nitrate numbers mixed up.

I think you're right. I'll have to retest. I did Nitrate before Trite.... BRB

 

[TheReefDiary]

I’m guessing you’ve got the nitrite and nitrate numbers mixed up.

Yeah I would think so as well, good catch. I think the tank is pretty much cycled then. Could wait for it to drop a bit more, but not going to harm fish or lps/softies.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

I’m guessing you’ve got the nitrite and nitrate numbers mixed up.

Yep, they are. Thanks - Should I drop a small bit of flakes from my FW fish food and see what happens? Just to confirm?

 

[Garf]

Yeah I would think so as well, good catch. I think the tank is pretty much cycled then. Could wait for it to drop a bit more, but not going to harm fish or lps/softies.

Probably, but the OP used dechlorinated tap water which could account for both ammonia and nitrate reading.

Yep, they are. Thanks - Should I drop a small bit of flakes from my FW fish food and see what happens? Just to confirm?

yes, I would. Just in case the live rock is not as alive as you would expect. I have no problem with dechlorinated tap water as a start up however, as it probably adds a bit of phosphate, to speed the tank maturing process up.

Sourcing good quality disease free fish is time well worth spending, as I assume a quarantine tank and all that entails is not an option either.