Is my tank cycled?

[Kronic]

I started my tank with live rock, bagged live sand, and pre mixed saltwater, 15 days ago. I never saw an ammonia spike, but I didn't test the water for a few days after I set it up. On day three, my first test, my nitrites had spiked to 2.0ppm. I tested every couple of days until I saw my nitrite drop to zero. I've been testing everyday now since Monday and my results are always the same, ammonia 0-0.25ppm, nitrites 0-ppm(API test has slight variation in color but it is definitely still blue), nitrates 20-40ppm. I add a few marine flakes every other day and the results are the same. Is my tank cycled? Should I do a water change, or just wait awhile?

 

[Pete polyp]

The tank is "cycled" once the ammonia is gone. It sounds to me like you have either finished cycling or are close enough to start stocking.

 

[fishroomlady]

I would do a water change, add some food, then test again. If you still have no ammonia and nitrite, I'd probably add in a few cuc.

 

[LetItReef]

Nitrates still high and Ammonia shoot for 0. Water change, wait then test. What size tank?

 

[Kronic]

29 gallon coralife biocube. How much of a water change should I do? 25%?

 

[LetItReef]

29 gallon coralife biocube. How much of a water change should I do? 25%?

25% is a good start, then test ammonia and Nitrates. Btw, how much sand/rocks you have?

 

[Kronic]

25ish pounds live rock, 30ish pounds bagged live sand. I did a 20% water change last night and tested my water with the API test kit today in the afternoon. My ammonia still read between 0 and 0.25, nitrite 0, an nitrate came down to between 10 and 20ppm. Earlier in the week I ordered a Red Sea ammonia test kit and it arrived an hour ago. After testing ammonia with the Red Sea kit I'm reading 0ppm. So with zero ammonia and zero nitrite I should be clear to add a small CUC, yes?

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

Ghost feed.. Test tomorrow.. If ammonia and nitrite remain at 0 and nitrate doesn't go beyond 30.. Yes I would say you are safe for cuc! But I may be worth another few. Days and another small 10% or so change and re test to make sure things stay stable. Between your wc's

 

[Big Dog]

IMO the live rock took care of the cycle inside 10 days ........ that thing is ready to go.

 

[Kronic]

I went to my LFS and had him test my water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Those API test kits are truly garbage. He said he still saw ammonia on his red sea kit but it looked yellow to me. He also used the red sea kits for nitrite and nitrate, and there was definitely still a trace of nitrite and my nitrate is so high it was unreadable on it. Over 50ppm thats for sure. I'm just gonna let run till Monday and test again.

 

[NanaReefer]

Been using API for 6yrs, Nitrite, Nitrate and ammonia. They've ALWAYS worked very well for me. Something's amiss for sure....

 

[Kronic]

Ok so I did a 50% water change yesterday in the afternoon and just tested my water with the new Red Sea kits. My ammonia is zero, nitrite is 0.05, and nitrate dropped to between 10 and 20ppm. Can I order my CUC or should I still wait a few days? I plan on doing another 25% water change later in the week to bring down the nitrates more I just want to know if i need the nitrite at absolute zero or if it being 0.05 I'm ok to slowly start adding starting with CUC.

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

Ok so I did a 50% water change yesterday in the afternoon and just tested my water with the new Red Sea kits. My ammonia is zero, nitrite is 0.05, and nitrate dropped to between 10 and 20ppm. Can I order my CUC or should I still wait a few days? I plan on doing another 25% water change later in the week to bring down the nitrates more I just want to know if i need the nitrite at absolute zero or if it being 0.05 I'm ok to slowly start adding starting with CUC.

I would not do another water change til nitrite is 0.. Then do one to lower nitrate after.. If you keep doing premature wc nitrite will not balance out imo