I am thinking

[xdq21x]

So I started up my tank on January 11th, I had my live sand but not my live rock so I decided to set it up with just the live sand. I dropped in a cocktail shrimp 2 days after the set up to start my cycle, I then started testing parameters a few days after the setup. About two weeks went by before I finally got my live rock from my local fish store, I took the old shrimp out, did a 5 gal water change and set up my live rock and also poured in a bottle of instant ocean biospira. A day or two after I dropped another cocktail shrimp in. Idk if that was necessary but I didn’t think it would hurt anything! Lol it’s now almost a week after I put my live rocks in and I thought I’d share what’s going on! I wanted to get a clean up crew in there around February 12 but I have a question, is my cycle complete? I tracked my parameters and wrote them down so I’ll put a picture down below of my results.

I know that I have to build up a colony of bacteria in the system which breaks down waste into ammonia which means that will spike, and it did! But then it’s supposed to break further down into nitrite which is the second step but I got no spike in my nitrite levels? Then ill get a spike in nitrate which will lower back down and then that’s when the cycle is complete but I’m just confused cause it seems like it’s been a while and my ammonia has spiked and dropped and I have nitrates but nothing at all has happened with my nitrites?

Here is my 29 gal Coralife biocube

I’m using:
instant ocean reef crystals
Live sand from ARCreef.com
Live rock from LFS
Intank Media basket (with a filter floss and polishing pad right now. Once tank gets cycled going to be using Seachem Purigen and chemipure elite)

Stock pump
Hydor moralist Nano 240 circulation pump
Cobalt 100 watt bro-therm heater (set at 80)
Viparspectra 165 watt led
Tunze USA 3152 ATO
I don’t have a RO/DI unit so I’m using tap water with seachem prime conditioner I’m hoping to get a ro/di soon

and that’s my set up! any tips or anything would be great!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I would continue cycling the tank for another week or so. Feb 12 is probably a good target date for Cleanup Crew additions and maybe the first fish. Do a water change and see how the nitrates react, you don't want them at that high for too long or you may get a significant nuisance algae outbreak. Not sure why you aren't getting any Nitrite results, may be a faulty test kit.

 

[Crabs McJones]

It looks like as of yesterday you were reading ammonia again. Could be due to adding the live rock. I'd wait another week or so, keep testing, and once you hit 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and low nitrate you should be good to go

 

[xdq21x]

I would continue cycling the tank for another week or so. Feb 12 is probably a good target date for Cleanup Crew additions and maybe the first fish. Do a water change and see how the nitrates react, you don't want them at that high for too long or you may get a significant nuisance algae outbreak. Not sure why you aren't getting any Nitrite results, may be a faulty test kit.

Yea I planned on doing a water change before I add anything, thank you![emoji1360]

 

[xdq21x]

It looks like as of yesterday you were reading ammonia again. Could be due to adding the live rock. I'd wait another week or so, keep testing, and once you hit 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and low nitrate you should be good to go

Sounds good, thank you!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Also, great job on tracking your parameters using the calendar

 

[xdq21x]

Also, great job on tracking your parameters using the calendar

Thanks, I was determined not to mess up and do things right, this my my 3rd time trying to set up a saltwater tank! The first time I was a little young and didn’t grasp the concept so I gave up the 2nd time I couldn’t find the funds to afford live rock and now this time I finally got everything and I’m happy with my setup!

 

[xdq21x]

Also, Is there any RO/DI units you would recommend that are no more than 200$?

 

[cookr959]

Check on Amazon you can get one around 60$ that will do just fine. EBay also has good deals on them. I have had no issues with mine that I purchased off Amazon and always get a 0 TDS reading. I use it for my biocube 16 so it's not used often only for small water changes.

 

[jorahx]

I use a google spreadsheet for tracking all water parameters, feeding schedule, adding new equipment, any adjustments to tank. That way it is all documented and can be corrected if coral have effects from any changes.

Good job starting to track everything. Testing daily is a pain but well worth it! [emoji106]