Is my tank cycled?

[Leon Gorani]

My nitrate levels are really high, almost 100 ppm, nitrites are very low at .10 ppm, ammonia is between 0 and .25 ppm. Tank has been running for about a month with fritz turbostart and ammonia in a bottle. Do I need to do a water change now? Is my cycle done since the nitrates have spiked and my nitrites and ammonia are low?

 

[melanotaenia]

have you done any water changes as of yet? Have you discontinued dosing ammonia and turbostart?

 

[theMeat]

Once nitrates level off or drop, you’re cycled

 

[Leon Gorani]

have you done any water changes as of yet? Have you discontinued dosing ammonia and turbostart?

No not yet for water changed. And yes I stopped adding ammonia and turbostart. Should I add more of one of those?

 

[Leon Gorani]

Once nitrates level off or drop, you’re cycled

So the nitrates are supposed to drop on their own? How?

 

[melanotaenia]

No not yet for water changed. And yes I stopped adding ammonia and turbostart. Should I add more of one of those?

Ok.

Do you have any livestock in the tank?

 

[Behnken]

So the nitrates are supposed to drop on their own? How?

No nitrates will not drop off on their own, at least dramatically. Your ammonia and nitrites should read zero.

 

[Leon Gorani]

Ok.

Do you have any livestock in the tank?

Yes I added 3 green chromis a couple weeks ago and they are doing fine. And a few crabs

 

[Leon Gorani]

No nitrates will not drop off on their own, I believe he meant nitrite. Your ammonia and nitrites should read zero.

Okay that’s what I thought too. So if nitrites and ammonia are low then it is cycled and I need to do a water change to get rid of my high nitrates correct?

 

[melanotaenia]

Yes I added 3 green chromis a couple weeks ago and they are doing fine. And a few crabs

Yes, if they are doing ok, and you are no longer dosing the chemicals you describe, the tank is likely cycled, and you should proceed with regular water changes for the tank depending on your preferred schedule. Good luck!

 

[lapin]

Okay that’s what I thought too. So if nitrites and ammonia are low then it is cycled and I need to do a water change to get rid of my high nitrates correct?

That is correct
However it is better that these sort of changes be done before live stock is in the tank. Ideally you want to start with nitrates of 5 to 10ppm. Which in your case should have been a 95% water change

 

[theMeat]

So the nitrates are supposed to drop on their own? How?

Many ways. Unless you have bare bottom with no rocks.

Agreed, ammonia and nitrites should go way down near zero for you to consider cycle complete.

Think you should let nitrates go up closer to 15 ppm before water change. Especially your first water change

 

[Calpoly2103]

Looks like you're close to done, or it's a slight test kit error. Nitrite and ammonia should read zero. What test kits are you using?

If you plan to keep coral, I would do a 95% water change to get those nitrates low.

 

[Leon Gorani]

Looks like you're close to done, or it's a slight test kit error. Nitrite and ammonia should read zero. What test kits are you using?

If you plan to keep coral, I would do a 95% water change to get those nitrates low.

I’ve been using the standard api test kit I have. If nitrite and ammonia aren’t exactly zero then I still have to wait a little bit longer I guess?

 

[lapin]

I’ve been using the standard api test kit I have. If nitrite and ammonia aren’t exactly zero then I still have to wait a little bit longer I guess?

Users of API kits have noted false readings. I would take a sample to your LFS and have it tested. Dont take much money cause you will tempted to buy stuff.

 

[Calpoly2103]

+1 what lapin said. I've heard the same as well.

In any case I would still wait at least a full month. My tanks even with the booster formulas took about a month to cycle.