Having trouble with new tank

[Bamametcalf]

Ok so I’m brand new to reefing have a Fusion 20 pro tank. I screwed up the cycle before so starting over. Here are my results after a week. Why is the ammonia cloudy ? Should I add more Fishless cycle or wait to see what happens next ? Any help would be greatly appreciated ( started turbo start and turned off skimmer and took off filter sock)

 

[Hoodstream]

Thanks to the lovely people here I’ve learned that API testing is notoriously inaccurate. However it’s hard to tell your ammonia but you’re nitrite seems way too high. I would do a 20-25% water change daily or every other day instead of one massive one. High nitrite can stall a cycle.

If you can maybe grab a small bottle of Fritz again to give the bacteria a boost.

definitely need to get that nitrite down though.

 

[Bamametcalf]

Thanks to the lovely people here I’ve learned that API testing is notoriously inaccurate. However it’s hard to tell your ammonia but you’re nitrite seems way too high. I would do a 20-25% water change daily or every other day instead of one massive one. High nitrite can stall a cycle.

If you can maybe grab a small bottle of Fritz again to give the bacteria a boost.

definitely need to get that nitrite down though.

I was told to not do any water changes for 30 days from the local fish store guy. he said it would screw up the cycle. (I did a change a week ago and the 2 clowns I had died ie I screwed up) also added some fritz 9. have some turbo start but thought id wait to use in my first water change.

 

[Hoodstream]

I was told to not do any water changes for 30 days from the local fish store guy. he said it would screw up the cycle. (I did a change a week ago and the 2 clowns I had died ie I screwed up)

I have always done water changes to maintain high nitrite during cycling. Your bacteria lives on surfaces not the water. If your nitrite is too high it will make a stuck cycle and further delay it finishing.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

are you sure you did the test right? Maybe try again, those colors look like the test wasnt done properly (for example the ammonia tube should not be see through, there should be color) . API is inaccurate, but not completely false.

 

[Bamametcalf]

are you sure you did the test right? Maybe try again, those colors look like the test wasnt done properly (for example the ammonia tube should not be see through, there should be color) . API is inaccurate, but not completely false.

I will test again tonight. Added Turbo start , Fritz 9, 20 drops of ammonia(fritz Fishless cycle) . I use the API testing solutions. I rinse out my tubes and air dry them before using. I test twice a day one in the morning and once at night. I haven't turned on my lights in a week now. Like I said before took out the filter sock.

 

[Oldreefer44]

One of the hardest things to learn to do in this hobby.......... is nothing. IMO, the more you interfere with the cycle process, other than adding bacteria, the longer it will likely take . Be patient. Looks to me like it is in mid cycle and will likely finish the process in another week or so. Do agree with others that API tests can be problematic and is always a good idea to trust but verify anyway. Suggest another brand for primary parameters so that you can be sure of their accuracy.

 

[Bamametcalf]

One of the hardest things to learn to do in this hobby.......... is nothing. IMO, the more you interfere with the cycle process, other than adding bacteria, the longer it will likely take . Be patient. Looks to me like it is in mid cycle and will likely finish the process in another week or so. Do agree with others that API tests can be problematic and is always a good idea to trust but verify anyway. Suggest another brand for primary parameters so that you can be sure of their accuracy.

thank you so much. im trying my best not to screw up with this cycle. can you recommend any other test. this wasn't the first time the ammonia or ph have been off looking.

 

[Oldreefer44]

I would try Salifert, Nyos, Red Sea etc. Once the tank cycles it becomes all about Alk, Calcium and Magnesium consistency and then Phosphate and Nitrate control. Since you are in mid cycle I wouldnt worry too much about PH and be patient with Ammonia and Nitrites. If nothing changes in another week then try another brand for those two.

 

[melonheadorion]

as it is said, and will probably be mentioned times after this, API test kits are not accurate. i use them if i need a quick test, but i only use it for nitrate these days, and its just for a ballpark number. i just do it because its easy and quick, versus doing a more accurate test. anywho....it may be me, but i would agree with someone that asked if the tests were done right. i mainly say that because you used a vial that isnt part of the kit, and the nitrate vial looks like it would be well over the line if you stood it upright.
if those tests are right, a good size water change will likely help your results be more accurate. from what ive read, api generally has issues when there are really high numbers in nitrite vs nitrate. i dont remember exactly what it was, but i do recall that being something that causes incorrect numbers as well

 

[Bamametcalf]

I would try Salifert, Nyos, Red Sea etc. Once the tank cycles it becomes all about Alk, Calcium and Magnesium consistency and then Phosphate and Nitrate control. Since you are in mid cycle I wouldnt worry too much about PH and be patient with Ammonia and Nitrites. If nothing changes in another week then try another brand for those two.

Thanks I’ll look into those

 

[Bamametcalf]

as it is said, and will probably be mentioned times after this, API test kits are not accurate. i use them if i need a quick test, but i only use it for nitrate these days, and its just for a ballpark number. i just do it because its easy and quick, versus doing a more accurate test. anywho....it may be me, but i would agree with someone that asked if the tests were done right. i mainly say that because you used a vial that isnt part of the kit, and the nitrate vial looks like it would be well over the line if you stood it upright.
if those tests are right, a good size water change will likely help your results be more accurate. from what ive read, api generally has issues when there are really high numbers in nitrite vs nitrate. i dont remember exactly what it was, but i do recall that being something that causes incorrect numbers as well

I was double checking the test to be honest and that was the only one clean it’s a Hannity Dkh checker.

 

[Freenow54]

I used the same test kits as you. I was unaware of the reputation. Yours look way weird. Are you using them exactly to instructions?. I always flushed mine with the tank water before starting. Don't worry about the cloudiness at all mine always were for ammonia. Defiantly do not agree with water changes at all. Bacteria does grow on the rock, but it needs to be fed. That is why you add Pure Ammonia I repeat PURE. Yours is nil. The cycling wont complete without it. The end test is add full amount of ammonia to get at least 4ppm, and it should be zero in 24 hours by the method I used. Take it to 2 for now, and see what happens.

 

[Idech]

API tests are not the most accurate but I’ve used them for cycling for ages and I’ve never messed up a cycle. They are good enough for cycling a tank.

Keep your money to buy good test kits for the more important parameters, after your tank is cycled.

If the ammonia color remains odd, bring it back to the LFS and ask them to test it themselves and replace it if need be. I’ve never had one single API test not working. Do another test to be sure.

 

[Freenow54]

Ok so I’m brand new to reefing have a Fusion 20 pro tank. I screwed up the cycle before so starting over. Here are my results after a week. Why is the ammonia cloudy ? Should I add more Fishless cycle or wait to see what happens next ? Any help would be greatly appreciated ( started turbo start and turned off skimmer and took off filter sock)

Sorry forgot. Don't know why you turned off the skimmer. Should only remove Nitrates I believe . Ask.I did not turn mine off as per instructions , but glad to see you turned the lights off.

 

[Bamametcalf]

So nightly update after adding turbo start Fritz’s 9 and 20 drops of Fishless cycle ammonia.

 

[Freenow54]

Looks like you are well on your way. Still would turn skimmer on

 

[Bamametcalf]

Looks like you are well on your way. Still would turn skimmer on

Morning update and I did turn it on after you said that and googled real quick

 

[Udest]

yeah at this stage its best to sit back and let the tank do its thing and not fret , that how i screwd up my 5 gal some time back by fiddling and fretting too much feed the tank sit back and test a week latter the bacterial colonies will take some time to grow in.

 

[Bamametcalf]

Nightly update have done absolutely nothing to it today