First cycle?

[Akreefnewguy]

Your nitrates will not drop without a water change (in this case). However, high nitrITES can cause a false high nitrATE reading, so once your biological filter is efficiently processing nitrite to nitrate you should see 0 nitrite and a true nitrate level. This may be 5, it may be 50. A water change is recommended at this point and the size of the WC can depend on the amount you want to lower your nitrates.

But... since nitrites don't harm saltwater fish the way they do freshwater fish, most experienced reefers don't even test for nitrites. If you add an ammonia source (fish food, etc) and in 24 hours you have no ammonia (and some nitrates, which you already have), then the tank has a biological filter that can safely process a small bioload.

Add livestock slowly in order for the biological filter to catch up to the new bioload...

Ty I believe I will put a damsel in to test it out

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board!

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Hey there, and welcome to the channel.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ty I believe I will put a damsel in to test it out

Oooh, no. Please do the fish food test. I mean, if you're already sure it's cycled then it's cool to put a fish in, but if you're not sure... way NOT cool!!

Please don't potentially torture a fish instead of making sure you're cycled first.

 

[Akreefnewguy]

Ty I believe I will put a damsel in to test it out

Don't worry

Oooh, no. Please do the fish food test. I mean, if you're already sure it's cycled then it's cool to put a fish in, but if you're not sure... way NOT cool!!

Please don't potentially torture a fish instead of making sure you're cycled first.

My apologies im driving taxi, got busy. I mean I will try a damsel after nitrite finally drops to 0 im in no rush

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I mean I will try a damsel after nitrite ammonia finally drops to 0

There, fixed it for ya.

 

[907_Reefer]

@907_Reefer is from Alaska, too. He may have some input.

Once you're ready, Alaska Coral & Fish does ship from Anchorage but I'm not familiar with their rates around that and what not. If you can plan a run down, that is best case! I have had good luck with working them on stocking my tank. All I know is lower 48 shipping in the middle of winter is a project, I can't even get a bottle of 35ppt in here without it being frozen on arrival..

Otherwise take your time and enjoy the journey

 

[Akreefnewguy]

Once you're ready, Alaska Coral & Fish does ship from Anchorage but I'm not familiar with their rates around that and what not. If you can plan a run down, that is best case! I have had good luck with working them on stocking my tank. All I know is lower 48 shipping in the middle of winter is a project, I can't even get a bottle of 35ppt in here without it being frozen on arrival..

Otherwise take your time and enjoy the journey

Ty for the heads up, I'll be planning a trip and have a few clients I can give a set up for that so far looks legal to carry on the plane. Figure offer free taxi rides when their here for some transportation.

 

[SPR1968]

Hi and welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Akreefnewguy]

Your nitrates will not drop without a water change (in this case). However, high nitrITES can cause a false high nitrATE reading, so once your biological filter is efficiently processing nitrite to nitrate you should see 0 nitrite and a true nitrate level. This may be 5, it may be 50. A water change is recommended at this point and the size of the WC can depend on the amount you want to lower your nitrates.

But... since nitrites don't harm saltwater fish the way they do freshwater fish, most experienced reefers don't even test for nitrites. If you add an ammonia source (fish food, etc) and in 24 hours you have no ammonia (and some nitrates, which you already have), then the tank has a biological filter that can safely process a small bioload.

Add livestock slowly in order for the biological filter to catch up to the new bioload...

Wow you all where not kidding. Yesterday ammonia 0 ppm nitrite 5ppm nitrite held at 5 for 4 days. Woke this morning to my cabin smelling different, ammonia holding 0 nitrite .25 massive drop nitrate is at 50 or higher. Few days of ammonia holding and im doing my first water change to bring nitrate to proper level maybe a week away from first fishy , we shall see. Ty all for the info.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

ammonia holding 0

You keep saying this... Are you adding anything to the tank that would create ammonia? Because if not, it's going to "hold at 0"...

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Wow you all where not kidding. Yesterday ammonia 0 ppm nitrite 5ppm nitrite held at 5 for 4 days. Woke this morning to my cabin smelling different, ammonia holding 0 nitrite .25 massive drop nitrate is at 50 or higher. Few days of ammonia holding and im doing my first water change to bring nitrate to proper level maybe a week away from first fishy , we shall see. Ty all for the info.

Not sure why your house would smell different just because nitrate increased.

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!!

 

[Akreefnewguy]

You keep saying this... Are you adding anything to the tank that would create ammonia? Because if not, it's going to "hold at 0"...

Of course I'm feeding it

 

[Akreefnewguy]

Not sure why your house would smell different just because nitrate increased.

Probably because I have a sensitive nose and I live in a 16×20 box. I just noticed my cabin smelt a little like a hit tub buy the water has no chlorine, that smell changed this morning and smell more like ocean.

 

[Akreefnewguy]

Probably because I have a sensitive nose and I live in a 16×20 box. I just noticed my cabin smelt a little like a hit tub buy the water has no chlorine, that smell changed this morning and smell more like ocean.

Oh and obviously I do t proof read either

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world. It’s good to take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.