New tank cycling questions

[CWalters]

Hey guys.. new to salt water. Started my cycle 7 days ago... so have been testing for 6. Just want to make sure I am on the right track. I am using red sea testing kit and Dr. Tims.

Day 1
PH - 8.4
Ammonia - >2
Nitrite - 0

Day 2
PH - 8.2
Ammonia - >2
Nitrite - .05

Day 3
PH - 8.2
Ammonia - >2
Nitrite - .1

Day 4
PH - 8.2
Ammonia - >2
Nitrite - .2

Day 5
PH - 8.2
Ammonia - >2
Nitrite - .5

Day 6
PH - 8.6
Ammonia - 2
Nitrite - 1

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

If you are still adding ammonia, stop.
What is your nitrate level?

 

[CWalters]

If you are still adding ammonia, stop.
What is your nitrate level?

I have only added ammonia the first day (When I added bacteria)

I tested Nitrates today and it came back at 10.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have only added ammonia the first day (When I added bacteria)

I tested Nitrates today and it came back at 10.

Sounds like you're on the right track. You might have overdosed the ammonia - this is unfortunately common when using the Dr. Tim's "program" as the drop size is not uniform.

Keep testing ammonia, since it's finally around 2, hopefully you will see it continue to fall.

No need to test nitrites.

Once ammonia is at 0, your tank will be cycled. At this point if your nitrates are too high, do a water change.

Good luck!

 

[CWalters]

Sounds like you're on the right track. You might have overdosed the ammonia - this is unfortunately common when using the Dr. Tim's "program" as the drop size is not uniform.

Keep testing ammonia, since it's finally around 2, hopefully you will see it continue to fall.

No need to test nitrites.

Once ammonia is at 0, your tank will be cycled. At this point if your nitrates are too high, do a water change.

Good luck!

Is 10 ppm for nitrates too high? Or at what reading do I do a change.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Is 10 ppm for nitrates too high? Or at what reading do I do a change.

10 ppm is fine. Once you have 0 ammonia, check nitrate again. Depending on what you want to add first, a reading of 15 to 20 is still not too high, but you can always do a water change if you want to. What you don't want to do is try to reduce it to 0.