New project

eric.battani · Feb 5, 2014

No didn't check anything else nor did I check anything when I first started it. I was preoccupied last night by some really cool fish

will check everything tomorrow when I get home

ChrisKey · Feb 5, 2014

Yep, just check those numbesr today and then check them again on Friday and see if there is any change. You very well could have "cycled" the tank already and provided the bacteria needed to convert any ammonia to nitrate.

On a 75g tank that will have a very low bioload, it doesn't really matter because the ammonia spike once you add a small fish will be minimal. If you are setting up a frag tank, you really don't even have to worry with a cycle, unless you plan to target feed the coral.

dictionaaron · Feb 7, 2014

I would add ammonia not skim mate as that's the originating source in the bacterial chain. Ammonia to nitrite to nitrate which is removed. If you are adding nitrates you are not providing food for the bacteria to convert the ammonia or nitrite

eric.battani · Feb 22, 2014

I let this project go after starting it, but adding skimmate is not the answer. Or if it is, 2litters is way to much. I have been running a skimmer and so far have pulled out 4 gallons of skimate out. It is real thick like jello and more yellow than green. Will hardly flow through the drain tube its so thick. So nearly 3 weeks in and I don't see a end in sight to be able to add fish. So maybe next weekend if I feel like it, I will drain it, rince a few times, then add newly mixed saltwater. Wait a few weeks and add a chromis or two. Tried and true method.

H@rry · Feb 23, 2014

What are you going to drain and rinse? What is your nitrate reading now? After 3 weeks you should be almost through the cycle.

eric.battani · Feb 23, 2014

Nitrates are still blood red.

H@rry · Feb 23, 2014

eric.battani said:
Nitrates are still blood red.

Not quite ready yet, but give it another week and you'll probably see a big difference.

eric.battani · Feb 23, 2014

Alright h@rry, I think your the man who knows his stuff, so thats why i listen to you and will let it run for another week or two. But isn't water changes the way to get rid of nitrates that are already in the water column when there that high?

Tomoko Schum · Feb 23, 2014

I think you should do a big water change to get rid of the nitrate. You cannot tell where you are in the cycling stage with nitrate so high that you cannot even measure whether it is still increasing. what your ammonia and nitrite reading now?