Nitrates decreasing during cycle

[Akaswan]

I am new to the saltwater side of the aquarium hobby and am cycling my first reef tank. I used Dr Tims one and only to start the cycle and added ammonia. I thought that I might have accidentally overdosed on the ammonia so when my Nitrates levels were through the roof I did a large water change. For the next week after I tested my water every day and found that the ammonia decreased and the Nitrites rose while the Nitrates stayed the same. Over the next three days, the nitrites stayed the same but the Nitrates slightly decreased every day. While my Nitrite levels decreased my Nitrate levels also decreased (which I'm pretty sure is not what should happen). Now my Nitrite levels are 0, my Nitrate levels are 5 ppm, and my ammonia levels are .25ppm (I'm not quite sure if this is because I actually still have ammonia in the tank or because the colors on the API test kit are hard to differentiate). There has also been 0 Algae growth in the 2 weeks the tank has been set up. Is my tank ready for fish and why did my Nitrates slowly decrease?

I would like to note that I am using the freshwater API test kits, I have seen that many people have said that there is little to no difference between the saltwater and freshwater ones.

 

[brian222]

Just sharing from my experience.

I am not sure what is the difference between FW and SW API test kit , but API often gives false reading on NH3 test result when it is at a low level, I personally never see a result with true yellow color.

The way I used to check if the cycle is complete was manually dose ammonium chloride, raise NH3 to near 2ppm and monitor if the level goes down to zero within 24 hours. When my tank was fully cycled, I got a test result of both NH3 and NO2 at 0 ppm and detectable NO3 level. Some people cycle their tank with phantom feeding/rotten shrimp. I personally wouldn't put any fish if I am not sure the tank is truly cycled.

If you are not turning your light on there will not be any algae growing while cycling the tank. I am not sure if you are running a skimmer but I turned my skimmer off for 2 days after I added Dr.Tims one and only.

And last but not least, welcome to R2R!

 

[Mykawl]

In short you can not test nitrate while nitrite is present. The nitrate test kit works by converting nitrate to nitrite then reading the total.

So you are not observing nitrates reducing but rather the nitrites. Hope that makes sense, your tank seems cycled ignore the 0.25 ammonia API is known for false positives with ammonia.

 

[Akaswan]

Just sharing from my experience.

I am not sure what is the difference between FW and SW API test kit , but API often gives false reading on NH3 test result when it is at a low level, I personally never see a result with true yellow color.

The way I used to check if the cycle is complete was manually dose ammonium chloride, raise NH3 to near 2ppm and monitor if the level goes down to zero within 24 hours. When my tank was fully cycled, I got a test result of both NH3 and NO2 at 0 ppm and detectable NO3 level. Some people cycle their tank with phantom feeding/rotten shrimp. I personally wouldn't put any fish if I am not sure the tank is truly cycled.

If you are not turning your light on there will not be any algae growing while cycling the tank. I am not sure if you are running a skimmer but I turned my skimmer off for 2 days after I added Dr.Tims one and only.

Thanks, I do have my light on just not very bright.

 

[Akaswan]

In short you can not test nitrate while nitrite is present. The nitrate test kit works by converting nitrate to nitrite then reading the total.

So you are not observing nitrates reducing but rather the nitrites. Hope that makes sense, your tank seems cycled ignore the 0.25 ammonia API is known for false positives with ammonia.

Thank you for the info, can’t wait to add fish!

 

[Mykawl]

You can go ahead and add 1 fish per week maximum and a clean up crew if you want. Move slower than a snail watch your tank like a goby and research and plan like a psychopath. Else things will go wrong anything you add to the tank your not an expert on will backfire awesome hobby

Can I ask what size tank and first fish your wanting?

 

[Akaswan]

You can go ahead and add 1 fish per week maximum and a clean up crew if you want. Move slower than a snail watch your tank like a goby and research and plan like a psychopath. Else things will go wrong anything you add to the tank your not an expert on will backfire awesome hobby

Can I ask what size tank and first fish your wanting?

It’s an innovative Marin Nuvo fusion 10 (10 gallons), and I want to add a pair of clowns.

 

[brandon429]

In order to gauge your cycle we have to know what kind of rock is used

Live, from a store and has animals attached, maybe coralline (shows up with full bac ready)

Or dry rock (needs bac added + time)

Which kind do you have

 

[Akaswan]

In order to gauge your cycle we have to know what kind of rock is used

Live, from a store and has animals attached, maybe coralline (shows up with full bac ready)

Or dry rock (needs bac added + time)

Which kind do you have

I used dry rock and live sand

 

[brandon429]

~14 days submersion time + dr Tim’s regimen + the bac from wet pack sand = cycled agreed the tests won’t matter. I would do a nice water change and proceed as you want to