End of cycle?

[rob92]

Hello, since I've takin my two clowns out of the display tank into the hospital tank (due to ick) I've noticed brown spots slowly growing on the glass of the tank. I tested my tank and the results are below. I was wondering if my tank is near the end of the cycling process, and what should I get for a clean up crew for my 15 gallon display that will have two clowns again after I kill the ick and cure them??

Ph: (I forget)
Ammonia: between 0 and 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 5.00ppm
Nitrate: 160ppm
Salinity: 1.0255
Temp: (when I tested it was 78F)

Test were done using API MASTER SALTWATER TEST KIT

 

[ben canant]

those nitrates are really bad!!! how big is the tank?

 

[rob92]

15 gallons (I was warned it would be a lot harder) I also did a water change after I did the test and I haven't tested it since then

 

[ben canant]

if i were you id change all the water, or just leave 3 gallons in there. and did anything die in the tank and did you leave anything in?

 

[808jaymakoa]

those nitrates are really bad!!! how big is the tank?

+1 that's the worst nitrate reading I've ever heard off I think.

 

[DSP]

Your still in the nitrite phase of the cycle which is the longest part,I'd say within a couple weeks it should be cycled just keep testing your nitrite will drop quickly almost overnight.As far as a cleanup crew I would add a few nassurarus snails and a couple hermits for now(after the tank is cycled)until the tank matures a little more then add more cleanup crew when there's food for them to eat

 

[rob92]

Only thing in there is the live rock and live sand I had to take the clowns out due to ick and treating them

 

[DSP]

When nitrite is present nitrate test will show a false reading that's why his nitrates are testing so high,that's completely normal.just ignore the nitrate testing for now and just test for nitrites,when nitrites drop then test your nitrates

 

[808jaymakoa]

When theres nitrites present nitrates test will show a false reading that's why his nitrates are testing so high,that's completely normal?Just ignore the nitrate testing for now and just test for nitrites,when nitrites drop then test your nitrates

Interesting. I didn't know this. Good info.

 

[rob92]

Here is why the test was (I would have the fourth one up but I dropped the test tube and it broke) color maybe off a little

 

[rob92]

This is what the tank looked like before i took the clowns out for treatment

And this is what I now have it looking like

I took the fake plants out. I wish I could take the writing off but my girl would kill me lol

 

[DSP]

Ya nitrites are spiked high which is normal just keep testing once the nitrites drop to 0 your nitrate will spike then you are finished cycling and time for a waterchange and then a cleanup crew

 

[DSP]

So you didn't cycle your tank before adding the clownfish?

 

[rob92]

I thought it was because I was using test strips from a different brand and everything was fine so I got the clowns. But when I got this test kit I knew it deff wasn't done cycling

 

[DSP]

Ah ok ya test strips are garbage good thing you got better kits and good thing you removed the clowns you made the right moves.Soon enough you will be able put the clowns back in

 

[rob92]

The tank has been running for 2 months maybe a little more now if you would like details I'll supply them

 

[rob92]

Yea but the hospital tank they are in now being treated is just a 5 gallon because that's the only other tank I had available. So I know I'm gonna have to do a lot of water changes considering it was just set up for them

 

[rob92]