First Tank. What's going on with my cycle?

[fafafooey]

First off, this forum is awesome. Such a wealth of knowledge and information that has been almost overwhelming at times for a newbie like myself.

I started cycling using pure ammonia solution on 10/10.

Currently in the IM Nuvo Fusion 40 tank:
Dry rock, no sand
1 filter sock
Marinepure Biofilter Balls
Bottle of Dr. Tim's One and Only added about 20 days ago.
Tunze Protein Skimmer (not running)
Kessil A360X on the way
Icecap 1K Gyre on the way

For the past week or week and a half, we've been adding ammonia solution daily to get back up to 2ppm, because that's dropping to 0 or very near 0 within 24 hours.

However, the nitrites are either off the charts (API Master Kit) or around 1 or 2. I can't really tell, to be honest. The level is definitely not 0 though and hasn't been 0 since the tank was able to drop the ammonia levels a little over a month ago.

Nitrates are pretty steady around 5 or 10 and there haven't been any algae so far. The tank is still pretty clean, which I wasn't expecting!

Temps have been kept relatively high, around 84 or 85 F.

Am I going to wake up one day with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites, thus being "cycled" and ready to add a CUC, or am I somehow stalling some part of the cycle?

I know I chose the long path by not adding any "live" material other than the bottle of bacteria, but having never done this before, I can't help but feel that I've somehow messed up already. Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[1WildBill]

Sounds like your almost there to me. I personally would get rid of the API kit as they are notorious to being incorrect, also, drop the temp down to 78 or so, then recheck your parameters.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

First off, this forum is awesome. Such a wealth of knowledge and information that has been almost overwhelming at times for a newbie like myself.

I started cycling using pure ammonia solution on 10/10.

Currently in the IM Nuvo Fusion 40 tank:
Dry rock, no sand
1 filter sock
Marinepure Biofilter Balls
Bottle of Dr. Tim's One and Only added about 20 days ago.
Tunze Protein Skimmer (not running)
Kessil A360X on the way
Icecap 1K Gyre on the way

For the past week or week and a half, we've been adding ammonia solution daily to get back up to 2ppm, because that's dropping to 0 or very near 0 within 24 hours.

However, the nitrites are either off the charts (API Master Kit) or around 1 or 2. I can't really tell, to be honest. The level is definitely not 0 though and hasn't been 0 since the tank was able to drop the ammonia levels a little over a month ago.

Nitrates are pretty steady around 5 or 10 and there haven't been any algae so far. The tank is still pretty clean, which I wasn't expecting!

Temps have been kept relatively high, around 84 or 85 F.

Am I going to wake up one day with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites, thus being "cycled" and ready to add a CUC, or am I somehow stalling some part of the cycle?

I know I chose the long path by not adding any "live" material other than the bottle of bacteria, but having never done this before, I can't help but feel that I've somehow messed up already. Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated.

i would confirm your nitrites with another test kit. not sure if adding dr tim’s stalled the cycle after doing it with ammonia.

bababooey

 

[fafafooey]

Sounds like your almost there to me. I personally would get rid of the API kit as they are notorious to being incorrect, also, drop the temp down to 78 or so, then recheck your parameters.

I would love to get rid of this kit. I don't know if it's my eyes, but I have a REALLY hard time defining the colors. It doesn't feel like science when the results tend to be so subjective.
What's a kit that you recommend?

 

[fafafooey]

i would confirm your nitrites with another test kit. not sure if adding dr tim’s stalled the cycle after doing it with ammonia.

bababooey

And a tatatoothy to you, sir. Is there a different kit that you recommend that might be a bit more specific then trying to match vague shades of color? Also, that Skull Island tank is insane. Love it!

 

[Dom]

I would love to get rid of this kit. I don't know if it's my eyes, but I have a REALLY hard time defining the colors. It doesn't feel like science when the results tend to be so subjective.
What's a kit that you recommend?

I use API AND Red Sea test kits.

The API kits are generally quick and easy to use. When I get a result using API that isn't within my target range, I then test with Red Sea to confirm.

Recently, I purchased the Red Sea Algae Control Pro. It tests NO3 (Nitrates) and PO4 (Phosphates). The first two kits I received had leaking reagent bottles and made a bit of a mess out of the kit. The third kit was fine and BRS allowed me to keep the first two they sent.

I've already given one away to a forum member. You're welcome to the other (which is very usable). Just cover the shipping. PM me if interested.

 

[1WildBill]

I use Salifert kits myself. The colors are kind of hard to differentiate but that’s why I have a wife to help. Lol. I’ve heard Red Sea is the same way, but i’m not sure.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

And a tatatoothy to you, sir. Is there a different kit that you recommend that might be a bit more specific then trying to match vague shades of color? Also, that Skull Island tank is insane. Love it!

hanna instruments makes great test kits that provide digits readings, but i wouldn’t buy the nitrite one as it would not get used much. so no way to get around the colors for all tests.

when thinking about test kits you should also think about how accurate you need them to be. this is determined by what you’ll keep in the tank. sps and other advanced coral may require more accuracy than fowlr or softies/lps.

for low accuracy i use api. for higher accuracy i use a combination of red sea and salifert. but...... i don’t have a test kit for nitrite because i never test for it.

i personally like to see the ammonia drop to zero within 8-12 hours.