Help with my cycle

[MikeLipyeat]

So my tank is cyclong with dry rock, sand 2 clowns and a cuc..... not being rude but dont want opinions on cycling with fish... my question is.... my tank has been at 0.5ppm ammonia for a week now (7days) and the nitrate has just today started rising to 0.3ppm. Should the ammonia level not drop as the nitrate rises?

 

[MikeLipyeat]

Sorry i mean nitrite lol

 

[Reefing Madness]

Not necessarily, no. All tanks will not cycle the same. You have fish, which are your ammonia source, so the system has to catch up to that point first.

 

[MikeLipyeat]

Ahh ok. So it depends how fast the system is turning ammonia into ni?

 

[Mike J.]

Not really that either. It is having enough denitrifying bacteria to handle the ammonia. It will catch up in about two weeks.

Ahh ok. So it depends how fast the system is turning ammonia into ni?

 

[MikeLipyeat]

So.... 3 weeks into my cycle and herws how my water stands...... salinity 1.024 / ph 8.3 / kh 7dkh / nitrite 0.8ppm / nitrate 0.2ppm / ammonia 0.3ppm..... does this seem right to you guys? The ammonia has gone from being 1ppm to 0.3ppm in a week and nitrite has risen ... does this mean the cycle is working correctly?

Just a bit concrned as im going away for 4 days and leaving my brother in law fishminding. Wity graphic and detailed feeding instructions haha. Havnt dared asked him to run the tests though lol

 

[nater]

it's doing fine. sounds like it's getting close to nearing the end.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Its all working fine, no worries.

 

[MikeLipyeat]

Thank you all. Hopefully when i return sunday i can go fish shopping... do i need to do a water change or anything when the cycle is finished

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yes, you'll do a water change to knock the last of the Nitrates down.

 

[MikeLipyeat]

What percentage of my 40gallon tank will i need to change

 

[Reefing Madness]

Should only be 25%.

 

[MikeLipyeat]

So ive been away for 4 days.... come back hoping my cycle would have finished so i can add.more fish.... my ammonia is on 0.1ppm, ph 8.3,kh 8dkh, nitrite 0.6ppm, nitrate 0.2ppm.... hurry uo cycle! The ammonia took 3 weeks to drop... will the nitrite take just as long?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Couldn't say, all tanks cycle differently.

 

[MikeLipyeat]

I hope it drops soon. Cant wait to get.my clowns some friends. Can i get soft corals too once cycled??

 

[Reefing Madness]

Soft Corals should be ok in there right after the cycle.

 

[MikeLipyeat]

Awesome!!!! My son also wants the 'dory' fish from findin nemo as we have 2 clowns.. am i right in saying these are regal blue tangs? And how are they as community fish etc