More talk about Cycling

[DarrenCar]

It took 9 days for my first stage of cycle. 2.0 to 0 on ammonia and 0 on nitrite. Dosed it back to 2.0 and in 2 days I am at 0 on ammonia already but still have nitrite going on. While I wait on this second stage and even go into a 3rd round should I really be concerning myself with what my nitrate is at this time? Should I do a water change to reduce it because I am sure its just going to stack up at this point. I have NO livestock in the tank yet so maybe its ok to just let it stack then when I do a big water change after it goes down to 0 on both in 24hr period it will bring it to balance. My second thoughts is temperature and the acceptable swing. I am fluctuating between a low of 76.8 and high of 78. Is this acceptable or is it too large of a gap between. It's not an instantaneous swing either, its spread of hours of time. If its too large I am unsure of how to narrow that down any. I have 70 gallons of water in my system and am running 2 100w heaters on an inkbird controller. No room for any larger heaters except maybe a finnex 300 watt but then I loose the theory of 2 smaller heaters. I could add another small heater but possibly not hooked into the inkbird, maybe a small stand alone one?

 

[brian.badge]

I am a beginner in saltwater, but have tons of freshwater experience. Not the same, but not that different either.

Your dont need to change the water. I wouldnt do a big change, but normal changes for practice wont hurt either as long as you keep bacteria fed.

In my opinion that temp swing sounds like no big deal. If your house has bigger swings during other seasons you may need more heater, but if you have ac and heat keep your house fairly stable then you should be fine.

 

[Dom]

You're talking about a range of 1.2 degrees, so I wouldn't be concerned with your change in temperature.

When cycling, I never worried about nitrates. My attention has always been on ammonia and nitrites. What you should see is nitrates elevating as ammonia and nitrites come down to zero. Once nitrites and ammonia are at zero, test your nitrates. Personally, I would be happy to see nitrates in a 5-10 range.

You haven't mentioned the size of your tank. And if you use a sump. Knowing your total water volume and nitrate numbers will help to calculate the size of your water change.

 

[DarrenCar]

65 gallon DT with 20 gallon sump. My estimated total water gallons in system is 72 gallons calculated at first initial fill. I figured a 7 gallon weekly water change would be approximately the goal.

 

[BestMomEver]

65 gallon DT with 20 gallon sump. My estimated total water gallons in system is 72 gallons calculated at first initial fill. I figured a 7 gallon weekly water change would be approximately the goal.

Your cycle is moving along fine. When nitrites are 0, then test nitrate. Ideally, you want nitrates to be between 5-10. I might do a water change just before you add any livestock. As for temp, I think you’re fine. I have my Apex set up to keep my tank between 78 and 80. Two degrees is not a huge amount. You should be fine.

 

[DarrenCar]

So my temp range is acceptable at these levels or should I try and get it a little higher like between 77.5 and 79? Or am I just splitting hairs and chasing something unnecessary?

 

[lapin]

You are fine with temp. What you want is to give yourself a bit of padding on each end in case of unexpected hot or cold or humidity in the room which could effect your tank temp. Reefs and lagoons have temp swings. Tides, Storms Seasons ect.... If you plan on having livestock that requires 80F or more temps then you might have to do something else about a heater.
Nitrites converting bacteria will take a bit longer to develop. You could change out some of the water now but its fine to just wait then do 1 massive change.