How to bring down levels?

[PorterK]

2 days agoI posted about filling my tank/mixing my salt with tap water, since then I've taken out about 70% of the water (left the last 30% to cover my rocks/live sand). I wanted to test the levels in the tank so when I add the RO/DI salt water I know the levels are going to be OK.

Before I start the thread, here are the results from my test kit.

The salinity is a little high too, about 1.30 specific gravity, but I will start by adding RO/DI water until I correct it to 1.26, then I will premix my salt water to 1.26 and add it slowly.

The problem is obviously the ammonia here, 0.5 ppm is not going to be acceptable whatsoever, neither is 5 ppm nitrate. Is this possibly because the cycle hasn't ran yet? (I've had water in the tank for a week now, at varying levels) or is this something that I will need to correct myself?

For a little more background I haven't had a filter on the tank yet, the canister filter just arrived earlier today and my RO/DI unit arrives tomorrow. Does the filter help with any of this?

Any other concerns I have while I am nurturing the tank? At what point can I start getting inverts?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I’d give it a month. I don’t belive your ammoina has even peaked yet.
How did you start the cycle btw.

And no , the filter does nothing really.
A canister is used one of the ways in salt water basically , as a mechanical only filter (strains poo and food), and second as a small place for bacteria. However , many don’t like this use as if the cam gets too full of rotting organics , it becomes what’s called a nitrate factory.
Why I used mine , I ran floss only and cleaned it every othe month or so.
In fresh water tanks , they are used to house bacteria, in reefs, we have live rock.

You can also put your chem media in there as well like a reactor.

Be patient. It’s only just begun.

 

[reefertank]

Is there live rock in the tank, if so it is just starting to cycle. Normal part of setting up tank, need to wait until parameters get back to zero before adding anything. Can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.

 

[reefertank]

No livestock yet, sorry be patient.

 

[paul barker]

Hi and welcome to R2R first what do you have for a tank and what equipment

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

There's nothing wrong with 5 ppm nitrates. I dose nitrates to my display and target 5 ppm. They sometimes even drift up to 10 ppm.

 

[PorterK]

Hi and welcome to R2R first what do you have for a tank and what equipment

Started with mostly dry rock but I got a single live rock (about 4 lbs live & 35lbs dry) along with 90 lbs of live sand. I have a 55 gal tall aquarium and I just got the Marineland Magniflow 220 canister filter. I did end up buying an Octo HB-50 protein skimmer to hang on the back of the tank too. Really wanted a sump but already spent a lot of money to get all of the equipment I have now, can't dump too much money in for a while.

I’d give it a month. I don’t belive your ammoina has even peaked yet.
How did you start the cycle btw.

And no , the filter does nothing really.
A canister is used one of the ways in salt water basically , as a mechanical only filter (strains poo and food), and second as a small place for bacteria. However , many don’t like this use as if the cam gets too full of rotting organics , it becomes what’s called a nitrate factory.
Why I used mine , I ran floss only and cleaned it every othe month or so.
In fresh water tanks , they are used to house bacteria, in reefs, we have live rock.

You can also put your chem media in there as well like a reactor.

Be patient. It’s only just begun.

Yeah, I figured it's a part of the cycle, just want to get my expectations in line here.

 

[PorterK]

There's nothing wrong with 5 ppm nitrates. I dose nitrates to my display and target 5 ppm. They someyimes even drift ip to 10 ppm.

That's good to know! The little packet that came with my test kit isn't specific, just says to keep them as low as possible

 

[GoVols]

That's good to know! The little packet that came with my test kit isn't specific, just says to keep them as low as possible

PorterK,
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!!

For now, I'd just focus on the ammonia to start the nitrogen cycle and keep it going.

Are you using an ammonia source to get the ball rolling?

Thanks, Freddie

 

[PorterK]

PorterK,
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!!

For now, I'd just focus on the ammonia to start the nitrogen cycle and keep it going.

Are you using an ammonia source to get the ball rolling?

Thanks, Freddie

I am not! Should I be? There is a decent amount of die off still happening either from the sand or rock that I put in. Wont this spike my ammonia?

 

[GoVols]

I am not! Should I be? There is a decent amount of die off still happening either from the sand or rock that I put in. Wont this spike my ammonia?

@Brew12
Would you leave it be and let it run it's coarse or would you dose pure ammonia too?

 

[Brew12]

@Brew12
Would you leave it be and let it run it's coarse or would you dose pure ammonia too?

I would let it runs its course if it is supplying its own ammonia. No reason to make it harder than it needs to be.

If nitrates are rising and no ammonia/nitrites are present, it is safe to add a fish or two.

edit: just saw that there is still ammonia. Let it run for awhile, no need to add more ammonia.