Is the tank cycled?

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

Hi everyone, I started my reefer 350 last week and I added two bottles of instant ocean bio spira. I was reading ammonia and no2 in the beginning but NO3. For the last two days, I have been reading 0 No2 and No3(between 10ppm-20ppm), the problem is I’m still reading ammonia. Any advice? Thank you.

EmdeReef · Jun 25, 2019

API is notorious for a false positive at 0.25. If the ammonia color looks like 0.25 then it could be a testing error.

In general, as long as you have ammonia present the tank isn’t cycled. You also want to stress test the tank by adding more ammonia and testing in 24hrs to see if your tank can process it.

BestMomEver · Jun 25, 2019

Did you start with live rock or dry rock? If you started with dry rock, there is almost no way your tank could cycle in a week. If you started with live rock, it might be a short cycle but I would still wait a few weeks more.

BestMomEver · Jun 25, 2019

By the way... welcome to the reef!

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

EmdeReef said:
API is notorious for a false positive at 0.25. If the ammonia color looks like 0.25 then it could be a testing error.

In general, as long as you have ammonia present the tank isn’t cycled. You also want to stress test the tank by adding more ammonia and testing in 24hrs to see if your tank can process it.

Thanks for your reply. The ammonia level was the same for the past two days. I’m not in rush, I’m just trying to understand the cycle since it’s my second tank after 4 years LoL.

Ruben's Reef · Jun 25, 2019

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! Are you adding ammonia to see if in 24h goes down? I cycled mine with Dr.Tim bacteria and ammonia and in 3 weeks I got my tank cycled. Your ammonia looks pretty low and your nitrite is 0. I would do a 10% water change and do another test and see if the nitrates goes down too.

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

BestMomEver said:
By the way... welcome to the reef!

Thank you! I’m using dry rock, instant ocean states the product help the cycling process, I’m kinda confused because the NO2 is 0 and obviously I have NO3 already, the ammonia level remains the same tho.

Ruben's Reef · Jun 25, 2019

keanajay said:
Thank you! I’m using dry rock, instant ocean states the product help the cycling process, I’m kinda confused because the NO2 is 0 and obviously I have NO3 already, the ammonia level remains the same tho.

Do you have a Seachem Ammonia Batch on hand? That will help a lot to monitor ammonia especially at the cycle stages.

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

spyder813 said:
Do you have a Seachem Ammonia Batch on hand? That will help a lot to monitor ammonia especially at the cycle stages.

I found one online! I’ll try them out to see if reads any different than the API test kit.

Ruben's Reef · Jun 25, 2019

keanajay said:
I found one online! I’ll try them out to see if reads any different than the API test kit.

I got mine on Amazon and I have it next day with Prime. Some LFS have in stock. I use API test for the ammonia but I rely more in the batch since I can see the change right away. Now, for Nitrite and Nitrate I used Salifert because was more accurate than API. Basically was reading a high Nitrate even with a 10% WC but someone here recommend me Salifert test kit and he was right.

BestMomEver · Jun 25, 2019

keanajay said:
Thank you! I’m using dry rock, instant ocean states the product help the cycling process, I’m kinda confused because the NO2 is 0 and obviously I have NO3 already, the ammonia level remains the same tho.

Che k out Bulk Reef Supply’s “52 weeks of reefing “ series.

Here...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/video-category/52-weeks-of-reefing/

furcifer208 · Jun 25, 2019

According to Dr. Tim, when the tank drops to 0 ppm ammonia in 24 hours it's cycled. Try to keep the ammonia below 4-8ppm as high levels can kill off the bacteria. Also when I take pictures of an api test i like to put the scale and white background behind them. It makes it easier to interpret numbers.

bluprntguy · Jun 25, 2019

I always do the API ammonia test with a side-by-side test of freshly mixed saltwater (RODI). If the yellow-green's in both tests match, then ammonia in the tank is zero. It's almost impossible to match to the card and a second test costs like 10 cents.

Turnage · Jun 25, 2019

Doesn't look cycled to me. I did the bio spira and it still took at lease 3 weeks for my tank to fully cycle. Take a sample of your tank water to your lfs and have them check your water. Most will do it for free.

Oh and Welcome to R2R!!! Cheers!

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

spyder813 said:
I got mine on Amazon and I have it next day with Prime. Some LFS have in stock. I use API test for the ammonia but I rely more in the batch since I can see the change right away. Now, for Nitrite and Nitrate I used Salifert because was more accurate than API. Basically was reading a high Nitrate even with a 10% WC but someone here recommend me Salifert test kit and he was right.

I order 3 pack from Amazon, should be here later this evening.

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

I test my RO DI water(on the left), it looks like I still have ammonia in the tank. Somehow the NO2 drops because I was reading 0.5ppm but now zero. Anyway, I will be patient and wait for ammonia drop to zero.

keanajay · Jun 25, 2019

Turnage said:
Doesn't look cycled to me. I did the bio spira and it still took at lease 3 weeks for my tank to fully cycle. Take a sample of your tank water to your lfs and have them check your water. Most will do it for free.

Oh and Welcome to R2R!!! Cheers!

Yes, I just test my RO water, I still have Ammonia in the tank, some ppl said they "cycled" their tank within a week with Bio Spria, anyway, I will wait.