Need the help from the pros!

[KennethJ24]

Ok, I’m two weeks in after my cycling with two snowflake clowns, an arrow crab, a couple of cleaner shrimp, two hermit crabs and a couple snails added on the 6th. They all still look good and healthy. My parameters haven’t changed much from after the cycle. Should my nitrates be at 0 by now?
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-3.0
Nitrates-40
Alkalinity-140
PH-7.2
I did a small 5% water change 3 days ago. (75 gal tank)
I’m wondering if I’m at the point where I need to do a bigger water change and how long should I wait for a couple new fish? Thank you, Kenny

 

[Oropher]

Lol, it would take sometimes to get 0 nitrate. Especially you still have nitrite.
Denitrifying bacteria (removing nitrate) don't build up as fast as nitrifying bacteria (removing ammonia and nitrite).

For denitrification you could choose:
in tank rocks,
in sump bio media, dsb, macro algae, ats, or sulfur reactor
I'm sure there are many more ways. No need to use them all.

I'm no pro, but welcome to R2R community. I'm sure lots of pro here could help you.

 

[KennethJ24]

Lol, it would take sometimes to get 0 nitrate. Especially you still have nitrite.
Denitrifying bacteria (removing nitrate) don't build up as fast as nitrifying bacteria (removing ammonia and nitrite).

For denitrification you could choose:
in tank rocks,
in sump bio media, dsb, macro algae, ats, or sulfur reactor
I'm sure there are many more ways. No need to use them all.

I'm no pro, but welcome to R2R community. I'm sure lots of pro here could help you.

Thank you! Ya, I’m sorry, I meant my Nitrites. Just not sure if I need to do a 25% water change this early or leave it be for a little longer.

 

[BeejReef]

I'd give it a month at minimum before adding more fish. Nitrite isn't really toxic to marine animals, but it's presence means you're not fully, fully cycled yet either and you've already got a fair number of animals in there.

Don't be unnerved by your apparently sky-high nitrate. Most tests will show nitrate off the scale if you have any nitrite at all. You won't have a good sense of where you are with nitrate until the nitrite is gone. I'd say water change volume is up to you, but that little 4% one you did doesn't really count for much.. lol. 10%, 15%, 20%... whatever you like, just keep it on a routine. 10% has worked fine for me on a 65g.

best of luck

 

[KennethJ24]

I'd give it a month at minimum before adding more fish. Nitrite isn't really toxic to marine animals, but it's presence means you're not fully, fully cycled yet either and you've already got a fair number of animals in there.

Don't be unnerved by your apparently sky-high nitrate. Most tests will show nitrate off the scale if you have any nitrite at all. You won't have a good sense of where you are with nitrate until the nitrite is gone. I'd say water change volume is up to you, but that little 4% one you did doesn't really count for much.. lol. 10%, 15%, 20%... whatever you like, just keep it on a routine. 10% has worked fine for me on a 65g.

best of luck

Thank you