Not sure if tank is cycled

[Chrisreef]

So I started cycling the tank 2 weeks ago. The highest my ammonia got was .5ppm, it is now at .25 and have been for a week ph remained at 8, I never saw a nitrite spike or drop and I tested the tank every day and the highest nitrate got was 10ppm after 7 days of cycle which is when diatoms started to appear. Nitrates dropped to 5ppm after two days and have remained there ever since. I am using API test kit to test parameters. What concerned me was how it was possible to have a nitrate reading when I never saw nitrites in the tank. I have dry rock about 30 lbs in 30 gal tank and used Carib sea Hawaiian black sand. I have a steady ammonia source which is two clown fish which seeem fine. I’m not really sure what to make of this cycle. Any insight?

 

[Jason mack]

Cycling a tank with fish in is not really done anymore ...but rather by adding ammonia..or a dead shrimp...you will get die off from The dry rocks ...api tests are not reliable...I would suggest saliferts or red sea...and hanna for phos ...black sand can contain a lot of silicate which will feed the diatoms...

 

[Mical]

"When in doubt wait 2 weeks to a month" - Everyone of us when fairly new are anxious and are hopeful that we got lucky. Reality is - it takes roughly 30 days or more to start a cycle. (Sorry) Don't mean to be rude but let it run at least 30 days, we all have different experiences and circumstances but opt for better outcome by being patient.

WWC recommends at least 4 months. Fish Only no problem, when you start corals, inverts, etc... a couple of months will save you $$$ & disappointment.

 

[PatW]

You should have 0 ppm for ammonia at the end of the cycle. But the API test kits often read the lowest level and not 0 which I assume is .25. Since you have nitrates, you have established a bacteria population and the ammonia should have gone to 0. I bet that you do not have as large a bacterial population as you might have. So I would suggest going slow with fish additions. Oh, and for your peace of mind get a test kit that can actually read 0 like Salifert or Red Sea.

 

[Chrisreef]

I am going to get another test kit in the mean time should I hold off on doing water changes in the tank, I have been just topping off with ro water but the tank is dirty.

 

[Mical]

I'd wait until it's fully cycled before doing another water change.

 

[Chrisreef]

I'd wait until it's fully cycled before doing another water change.

Ok thank you