First Cycle. Need Advice.

[Jarbour88]

Hello,
I have recently started a 40 gallon tank with dry rock and caribsea fiji pink arag-alive sand. I used dr tims one and only live nitrifying bacteria and the ammonia that came with it to start my cycle. For the first 4 days I had 2.0 ammonia, no nitrites or nitrates. Today I checked and i still have 2.0 ammonia but I also have 0.5 nitrite and 10 nitrate according to the API test kit. Is this normal? Should I continue to wait or should I use something like prime to reduce the ammonia levels?

Thanks.

 

[Peach02]

Yep its normal, I might retest the ammonia though
As ammonia drops Nitrite rises
As nitrite drops nitrate rises
as nitrate drops you did a water change or have anaerobic bacteria, once this happens you can start to add fish
as long as you have no livestock in the tank there is no reason to use prime

 

[Jarbour88]

Thank you for the reply!
I tested it again and it still shows 2.0, I will just wait a few more days and continue testing. I don't want to rush anything as this is my first saltwater tank.

 

[nezw0001]

Take your time, I know it's hard but a good solid base of nitrifying bacteria is important for future success.

 

[Reefer Reborn]

consider yourself lucky your ick free so keep it that way! I would dose some more pure ammonia once the current level drops and track the levels again. After that your gonna want to rush and get your first fish, But don’t! I would go acclimate a couple or three fresh water Molly and nuture them until you have a stocking plan and getting fish in your tank ick free.

 

[BeejReef]

You're doing it perfectly. Resist the urge to water change away ammonia or nitrite. They're both the food source for the bacteria you need to grow and populate your rocks to cycle your tank. Once ammonia and nitrite get to zero and can get back to zero within a day or so of dosing ammonia, you're free to water change down your nitrate if you care to.