High nitrates after cycling tank.

[Paul31733]

Add a pouch of Chemipure Blue or elite - It will polish your water, remove any trace of toxins and keep nitrate and Phosphate in check

I just added some clear fx pro today after large water change. I believe it is relatively the same as chemi pure blue. Thanks for your input!.

 

[Paul31733]

So the concensus is that I could do another 50% water change and not mess anything up?

 

[Magostini]

Nitrite appears to be 0.5ppm to 1ppm.

I think the nitrite is impacting the results of nitrate.
The tropic Marin tests comes with a table demonstrating that. For example, if nitrite is 0.5 and you measure 50 of nitrate, then nitrate is 25. If nitrite is above 0.5, so you can't measure. In summary, I wouldn't take any nitrate tests until nitrite is zero

 

[Paul31733]

I think the nitrite is impacting the results of nitrate.
The tropic Marin tests comes with a table demonstrating that. For example, if nitrite is 0.5 and you measure 50 of nitrate, then nitrate is 25. If nitrite is above 0.5, so you can't measure. In summary, I wouldn't take any nitrate tests until nitrite is zero

Wow that's cool I didn't know that thank you.

 

[Paul31733]

I think the nitrite is impacting the results of nitrate.
The tropic Marin tests comes with a table demonstrating that. For example, if nitrite is 0.5 and you measure 50 of nitrate, then nitrate is 25. If nitrite is above 0.5, so you can't measure. In summary, I wouldn't take any nitrate tests until nitrite is zero

After seeing this I think it best to wait until morning and test again before doing a large water change. It is still safe to add 2 small clowns tomorrow?
I test 0 ammonia.

 

[ApoIsland]

Most likely you still had lots of NO3 in the rock when you did your WC. This is why I prefer to cycle rock in as small a container as possible before adding to a system.

Unfortunately I suggest another large WC. When the tank is about 1/2 full swish the rocks very vigorously then remove the rest of the water.
Better yet, place the rock in new/clean water for a really good rinse and do another large enough WC on the tank to get the level where you want it.

This is good. Any time I set up a new tank I cycle it it just enough water to cover the top of the rocks and not an ounce more. I also run it like this for the first month I have fish and coral in there as I do fairly frequent water changes and try to limit the amount of water I have to mix up.

 

[Greg P]

This is good. Any time I set up a new tank I cycle it it just enough water to cover the top of the rocks and not an ounce more. I also run it like this for the first month I have fish and coral in there as I do fairly frequent water changes and try to limit the amount of water I have to mix up.

I went even further with my last 2 tank builds. I ran the rock with a couple powerheads and heater, and got away with just 8-9 gallons of water in a rectangular tub.
Seriously cheaper than doing a 100% WC on a 75g tank

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just added some clear fx pro today after large water change. I believe it is relatively the same as chemi pure blue. Thanks for your input!.

similar activity with both

 

[Paul31733]

similar activity with both

Do you think I will be ok to add 2 small clowns in the morning?

 

[Greg P]

Do you think I will be ok to add 2 small clowns in the morning?

Personally I'd rather get the tank levels where I want them before adding fish. You'll only stress them more messing around in the tank

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do you think I will be ok to add 2 small clowns in the morning?

It should be. To confirm, test your water in the morning and then take a water sample with you and have them test it and see what results they come up with and for comparison.
Keep in mind, if you acclimate well, they can tolerate current level as long as its not toxic.
Place bag in tank for 20-25 minutes. In Clean Pail or bucket, add a cup of water from your tank every 15 mins 8 times.
After 2 hrs, take that same cup-not net and scoop them, pour out near all of the water and lower cup into tank and allow them to swim out into tank.

WHEN PURCHASING THE FISH-
ASK TO SEE THEM EAT
OBSERVE THEIR BREATHING
OBSRVE HOW THEY INTERACT WITH OTHER FISH IN THE TANK
ASSURE THEY DONT HAVE A WHITE HAZE OR MUCUS ON THEIR SKIN !!

 

[Paul31733]

It should be. To confirm, test your water in the morning and then take a water sample with you and have them test it and see what results they come up with and for comparison.
Keep in mind, if you acclimate well, they can tolerate current level as long as its not toxic.
Place bag in tank for 20-25 minutes. In Clean Pail or bucket, add a cup of water from your tank every 15 mins 8 times.
After 2 hrs, take that same cup-not net and scoop them, pour out near all of the water and lower cup into tank and allow them to swim out into tank.

Thanks for your reply! I actually have a drip acclimator!! I will definately acclimate them for a longer period!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for your reply! I actually have a drip acclimator!! I will definately acclimate them for a longer period!

i ADDED TO THE LAST MESSAGE

 

[Paul31733]

i ADDED TO THE LAST MESSAGE

I am actually picking up from a very trusted breeder/clownfish specific seller. He is local to me and has a very good reputation. I am only able to see videos of the fish I am receiving but being in the same local groups I am trusting in his reputation and the fact he would not want to mess that up.
I do appreciate that info though.

 

[Paul31733]

I am actually picking up from a very trusted breeder/clownfish specific seller. He is local to me and has a very good reputation. I am only able to see videos of the fish I am receiving but being in the same local groups I am trusting in his reputation and the fact he would not want to mess that up.
I do appreciate that info though.

These are them!

 

[Magostini]

Do you think I will be ok to add 2 small clowns in the morning?

No problem at all, the important for fish is to get 0 ammonia, nitrite is not relevant for marine fish (look around in reef2reef you will find lots of analysis on that).
I have just cycled my tank and added the fish when nitrite was about 5 ppm. Clowns, tangs and gobies, one each time analyzing ammonia and etc. They are fine and after 30 days nitrite is 0.05 ppm.

You should pay attention at ammonia for fish. For corals I would wait 0 nitrite and then monitor nitrate.

 

[Garf]

This method of “Fishless” for the first part of the cycle and “Fish In” for the second part, needs a catchy name

 

[Magostini]

Just bringing one thread that brings others that explain all of that:

Thread 'Dr tims fishless cycle .. 0 ammonia 1.0 nitrite..' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dr-tims-fishless-cycle-0-ammonia-1-0-nitrite.811835/

 

[Paul31733]

Added the clowns about 24 hours ago. Ammonia is testing zero and the fish look happy as can be! Thanks for your help everyone! I will continue testing ammonia morning and night until I see 0 nitrite.