I’m currently cycling a new 55 gallon tank with 20 pounds each of dry and live sand, 30 pounds dry rock and 17 pounds live rock, and ammonium chloride and nitrifying bacteria. I used TSD tested RODI water, and have 2 HOBS with biofilters and activated charcoal filters. I’m testing high for phosphate (.25ppm), alkalinity (14.1), calcium (450ppm) and magnesium (1490ppm.) Copper is 0ppm, and salinity is a bit high at exactly 1.03.
I just started the cycle 2 days ago, ammonia is at 1.5ppm, nitrates at 75, and nitrites at 1.25. How should I proceed? Is ammonia too low? Nitrates and nitrites have both risen from yesterday while ammonia stayed exactly the same.
I will admit I probably need to top off with about 3 gallons, the last of our dry rock is arriving and going in the tank today so I imagine that will bring the water level up a bit. I plan to test everything again tomorrow, we’re in no hurry to add any fish to our tank and plan on traveling to some reputable not-so-LFS to select in person.
Anything else I’m missing? Oh, PH level is missing, I’m out of water at this moment and haven’t been able to calibrate my digital tester yet. That will be done today as well!
I just started the cycle 2 days ago, ammonia is at 1.5ppm, nitrates at 75, and nitrites at 1.25. How should I proceed? Is ammonia too low? Nitrates and nitrites have both risen from yesterday while ammonia stayed exactly the same.
I will admit I probably need to top off with about 3 gallons, the last of our dry rock is arriving and going in the tank today so I imagine that will bring the water level up a bit. I plan to test everything again tomorrow, we’re in no hurry to add any fish to our tank and plan on traveling to some reputable not-so-LFS to select in person.
Anything else I’m missing? Oh, PH level is missing, I’m out of water at this moment and haven’t been able to calibrate my digital tester yet. That will be done today as well!
