Is my new tank cycle moving the right direction?

[Starkrost]

I have a Fuval 13.5 gal tank with live sand and LifeRock. I filled the tank for the first time on 27-Apr-20 (baseline). I have not added anything to the tank other than RODI to top off as needed. Temperature has been consistent between 77.5 and 78.5 F. Looking at the readings below, is my nitrogen cycle moving in the right direction? What suggestions do you have? Thanks! Sarah

27-Apr-2020
salinity: 1.023
pH: 8.1
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0

30-Apr-2020
salinity: 1.023
ammonia: 0.25
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0

10-May-2020
salinity: 1.024
pH: 8.0
ammonia: 0.5
nitrite: 0.15
nitrate: 5.0

22-May-2020
salinity: 1.023
pH: 8.1
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10
I think those are maybe diatoms?

08-Jun-2020
salinity: 1.022
pH: 8.2
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20
small algal cluster at front of sand bed
pH: 8.1

 

[brandon429]

very handy here, I bet its done not just in motion

liferocks activate in 12 days of water (claimed by the site)

live sand/already active bc it was wet (claimed by the bag/maker)

last step: dose a very small amount of cycling ammonia here, enough to drive up a test kit only a tiny increment

wait 24 hours retest, see if goes back down to original color test shows right now.

your cycle is decided by solely that measure; you already have met the submersion time reqmnts every cycling chart on the planet requires. I bet you're cycled solely due to that factor/

 

[Starkrost]

Thank you very much!!

 

[Qasimja]

yea your cycle looks to be completed

 

[Auquanut]

Looking good! Sounds like it may be time for a small CUC.

 

[brandon429]

do measure for us though...chem forum operates on the stone cold proofing. we havent had any really clear tests lately. we actually had a person say they ran the test (no pics logged) and it didnt work.... got any ammonium chloride