Hi! Update on water perameters.

[AngieLikedThat]

I'm not sure where to post this thread so if this isn't the proper section please lmk.

LSS: bad advice = cycling with clown fish

Water perameters have changed they are now: PH 7.8
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 0

It's been set up for about a month now.
Last time I posted about my perameters they were:
PH 8
Ammonia 4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Been using sachem prime
Added bacteria
Tank is 20g tall
Used mixture of live sand and regular sand
Tank has dead rock

I just want to see if everything is headed in the right direction. I havent been able to come on much. Working 16 hour shifts for holidays so when I'm home going online isnt really my priority lol

Also, I read somewhere that adding a fake anemone helps the clown be a little happier so I picked one up just asking if it's true or not

 

[Hemmdog]

Do not use prime if you are trying to cycle a tank. There is no way of knowing what your numbers actually are now.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Do not use prime if you are trying to cycle a tank. There is no way of knowing what your numbers actually are now.

I check before adding any and the prime was reccomended because I have the clown fish

 

[Hemmdog]

I check before adding any and the prime was reccomended because I have the clown fish

Oh I see.

 

[Brew12]

I'm not sure where to post this thread so if this isn't the proper section please lmk.

LSS: bad advice = cycling with clown fish

Water perameters have changed they are now: PH 7.8
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 0

It's been set up for about a month now.
Last time I posted about my perameters they were:
PH 8
Ammonia 4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Been using sachem prime
Added bacteria
Tank is 20g tall
Used mixture of live sand and regular sand
Tank has dead rock

I just want to see if everything is headed in the right direction. I havent been able to come on much. Working 16 hour shifts for holidays so when I'm home going online isnt really my priority lol

Also, I read somewhere that adding a fake anemone helps the clown be a little happier so I picked one up just asking if it's true or not

It's hard to say for sure, but things don't look like they are getting worse, so that is a plus.

I'd like to see a little nitrate at this point but the 0.25 on NH3/4 and NO2 are both possible testing errors fairly common with API test kits. If you can see some algae growing, I would consider that a good sign.

I don't think the clowns care about a fake anemone. My clowns have taken up residence by my return nozzle. This is despite the live anemones I have in my system.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

It's hard to say for sure, but things don't look like they are getting worse, so that is a plus.

I'd like to see a little nitrate at this point but the 0.25 on NH3/4 and NO2 are both possible testing errors fairly common with API test kits. If you can see some algae growing, I would consider that a good sign.

I don't think the clowns care about a fake anemone. My clowns have taken up residence by my return nozzle. This is despite the live anemones I have in my system.

I was considering adding a piece of live rock to maybe help with things. Do you think if I back off the sachem prime the clown will be ok? He seems to be doing well at the moment.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Oh I see.

Would the clown be alright if I stopped using it in order to get a better reading?

 

[Brew12]

I was considering adding a piece of live rock to maybe help with things. Do you think if I back off the sachem prime the clown will be ok? He seems to be doing well at the moment.

What bacteria product did you use and how long ago did you add it? And do you see any algae in your system yet?

 

[Hemmdog]

Would the clown be alright if I stopped using it in order to get a better reading?

Most likely. It will take days of not using it to get a correct reading though. You are using RODI water correct? If you use prime on non RODI water it produces ammonia, which explains why you would still have ammonia present.

 

[lapin]

My ipinion
The fact the ammonia has fallen is a good sign. Your bacteria is working. The cycle still has a ways to go. As @Brew12 says we would like to see some nitrate before we can call it semi done. I think once you see nitrate you can start cutting back on the prime and watch the clown for signs of stress.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

What bacteria product did you use and how long ago did you add it? And do you see any algae in your system yet?

Instand ocean biospera, added a few weeks ago and no, no algae yet

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Most likely. It will take days of not using it to get a correct reading though. You are using RODI water correct? If you use prime on non RODI water it produces ammonia, which explains why you would still have ammonia present.

I've been using distilled water. I did ask a friend to do a water change for me when I was away I can double check if they used distilled water. But that was about two weeks ago would it still have an effect?

 

[Brew12]

Instand ocean biospera, added a few weeks ago and no, no algae yet

I "think" you would be fine to stop with Prime but I would still use it, every third day, for another week or two. With only a 20g tank, and likely less than 15g total water volume, you don't have much margin for error when it comes to feeding in such a new system.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

My ipinion
The fact the ammonia has fallen is a good sign. Your bacteria is working. The cycle still has a ways to go. As @Brew12 says we would like to see some nitrate before we can call it semi done. I think once you see nitrate you can start cutting back on the prime and watch the clown for signs of stress.

Would adding live rock help?

 

[Brew12]

Would adding live rock help?

Always a good idea imo! It helps with a lot more than just processing ammonia.

 

[lapin]

Would adding live rock help?

By live rock, if you mean rock that is soaking in a saltwater tank now, then yes.
If you add that then you could prob stop the prime after a day or 2

 

[Hemmdog]

I've been using distilled water. I did ask a friend to do a water change for me when I was away I can double check if they used distilled water. But that was about two weeks ago would it still have an effect?

Distilled is fine, no chlorine.