Need your input

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

So I wanted to see what people's input would be so far on my tank that I started 5-23-16 I decided to cycle my tank with live rock live sand and dr.tims one and only with dr.tims ammonium chloride I did all tests today and this is what I got using the api saltwater and reef test kits. I still haven't seen a nitrite spike but I'm getting nitrate today was the first time I got something to show up with nitrates any input would help do the numbers look about right should I adjust anything I haven't done any water changes yet just top offs I wanted to wait after the cycle has finished to do my first water change . Anything I should do/fix please let me know thanks

Ammonia-.25ppm
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-5ppm
Ph-7.8
Calcium-320mg/l 16 drops
Carbonate hardness-dkh 9 161.1 ppm kh 9 drops
Phosphate-.25ppm
Salinity -1.023

CodyRVA · Jun 1, 2016

What size is the tank? Doesn't seem like it cycled to me. Maybe add more of the dr tims and drive the ammonia up and see what your nitrite does. I always used pure ammonia for cycling.

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

It is a 30L nuvo fusion

CodyRVA · Jun 1, 2016

If it cycled, you should be able to add an ammonia source and test the water several times and see the spike up and drop in ammonia. If it lingers or takes a while to come back down, that would lead me believe the tank just started to cycle and the bacteria population is still maturing.

Irsug1 · Jun 1, 2016

The first two parameters should be zero.

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

Tank progression tests
Started tank 5-23-16

5-24-16

Ph-7.4
Ammonia -0
Nitrite- .25 ppm
Nitrate-0

5-25-16

Ammonia -0
Nitrite -0

5-26-16
Ph-8.0

5-27-16 day 1

Ph -7.8
Ammonia-0-0.25
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0

5-28-16 day2
Ammonia-.25ppm
Nitrite-0

5-29-16 day 3 added ammonia
Ammonia -0
Nitrite-0

5-30-16 day 4 added ammonia
Ammonia-.25ppm
Nitrite-0ppm
Nitrate-0ppm
Ph-7.8

5-31-16 day 5
Ammonia-1ppm
Nitrite- 0ppm

6-1-16 day 6-added ammonium
Ammonia-.25ppm
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-5ppm
Ph-7.8
Calcium-320mg/l 16 drops
Carbonate hardness-dkh 9 161.1 ppm kh 9 drops
Phosphate-.25ppm
Salinity -1.023

6-2-16 day7
Ammonia-
Nitrite
Nitrate
This is from day one when I add ammonia the and check it the next day it kicks down pretty far usually get either zero or. .25ppm ammonium. the ammonium chloride from dr. Tims is a mixture to make 2ppm added to the tank I never once got 2ppm which I read is a good sign that the nitrifying bacteria is doin its job .

This is what I have been following for the most part after adding the dr tims on 5-27-16

Anirban · Jun 1, 2016

I think your system cycled fast. You used live rock which I think already come from a pre established system so it has a necessary bacteria to convert the ammonia. So wait for few more days and keep dosing ammonia to see if you can see some peaks for nitrite.

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

Will do yea hopefully I wana start my tank but patience is key want to do it right the first time

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

So update just tested my levels a couple hours I added more ammonium the solution I put in is supposed to equal 2ppm ammonia my test results came to 1ppm ammonia nitrite-0 and nitrate about 5ppm

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

Is it possible for ammonia to convert straight into nitrate and see no nitrite levels or is something not right

CodyRVA · Jun 1, 2016

Exactly how long after you dosed did you do the testing?

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

Probably did it between 3-5pm I can't exactly remember

johnsamm7 · Jun 1, 2016

This is a picture of the tank now I mean te live rock doesn't have any algae or anything on it . Could the results possibly mean I don't have any bacteria built up in the tank yet since I have no reading in nitrite

CodyRVA · Jun 1, 2016

Not what time, i mean how many hours after you dosed did you test your water? When you do your cycle, you'll know you're making head way when your rock starts to turn brown. If that hasn't happened, sit tight and wait it out. Patience!

johnsamm7 · Jun 2, 2016

I tested the water about 4-5 hours after I dosed it . And also I have been cycling it with the lights off

johnsamm7 · Jun 2, 2016

6-2-16 day7
Ammonia-.25ppm
Nitrite -0ppm
Nitrate-5 ppm
Ph-7.8-8

Today's results. So basically everytime I add 2ppm ammonium 24 hrs laterite drops to .25ppm

CodyRVA · Jun 2, 2016

I'd say it cycled fine then. If you're using API test kits, mine always said i had .25 ppm ammonia, even a year after the tank was up with coral and everything. Are you getting brown diatoms on your rock work yet? And not to criticize your aquascape, but create more caves and open areas, one: for the fish, two: the water will flow through the rocks better, this will prevent detritus from building up.