Parameters during cycling

[jayleah]

Hey all! Newbie here, I've done tons of research but I guess I just need reassurance that everything is going as it should. I set up my very first tank (60 gallon) on 3-8 and I have been checking parameters every 24 hours. Do these look like everything is looking right? Thanks!
3-9 to 3-11 Ammonia negative
3-12 Ammonia 2 ppm Nitrite 0
3-13 Ammonia 4 ppm Nitrite 0.25 Nitrate 5 (?)
3-14 Ammonia 2 ppm Nitrite 0.50 Nitrate 5
I have 1 piece of live rock from an established tank, a few pieces of cured dry rock, Dr. Tim's 1 and only and Marinepure spheres. Not running lights or skimmer, but I do have filter sock in the sump.

 

[W1ngz]

I'd say you're on track. You don't say what your ammonia source is or what you're testing with.

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to the family! Sounds like things are moving along fine. Just stay patient. We're all here to help.

 

[jayleah]

Welcome to the family! Sounds like things are moving along fine. Just stay patient. We're all here to help.

Thanks!

 

[jayleah]

I'd say you're on track. You don't say what your ammonia source is or what you're testing with.

I used a piece of dead rock my husband used to have in his tank. He bought his set up established so neither of us has gone through the cycling process before. I've tested using API and salifert- the levels posted are from API because it shows higher levels. Salifert had my ammonia almost 0 and nitrite 10-25

 

[W1ngz]

API is notoriously inaccurate. I'd trust the salifert, or an average of the two.

 

[jayleah]

Did I screw up somewhere? Nitrates were going up and then today they are down but my nitrites are still super high. Ammonia is still going down, I put a pinch of food in today to ghost feed.

 

[W1ngz]

For nitrate to go from 5 to 80 i think there was a mistake in that particular test.

Just keep waiting it out.

 

[K7BMG]

The API test kits are fine for this process.
I am glad to see the ammonia spiked to 4.0 nice and dark green.
I have found the API ammonia test will always read at .25 when its 0.

Yes there must have been a mistake on the one Nitrate test.

The only thing I don't like is the speed. The cycle in 6 days seems way to fast.

I myself would not add any food, or ghost feed, less is better at this point.

Keep a close eye on the Nitrite and Nitrate.
When your Nitrite is a clear pale blue or 0 give it another two days and then do a 60+ % water change and test your Nitrate after four hours or so to allow stabilization, then wait a week WITH the lights on your initial schedule and test the lot.

By API standards and my experience your results should be.
Ammonia at .25, meaning 0.
Nitrite 0
Nitrate close to the same result after your water change test.
You may see some spots of brown algae starting here or there.
This is a great sign that indicates a completed cycle.
Dependent on the Nitrate reading maybe another water change?
Then your good to go.

 

[jayleah]

Thanks!!!

 

[brandon429]

Bio-spira works great

I just started a new tank a little over a week ago. I started with all dry rock and new sand. I added a bottle of Bio-Spira and put fish and coral the same day. Never saw any ammonia and fish and coral seem healthy.

www.reef2reef.com

that thread shows why I think your tank is cycled, and you can begin.


your ammonia charts in the way instant ready bac would make it chart, zero holding not required. the movement down is the proof

read that thread start to finish, let me know how your tank can't be cycled

in his thread, was nitrite and nitrate factored to allow the start?
additional questions from the work thread:
1. how long did it take for his tank to be able to carry bioload
2. how did that track over time...weaker or stronger, or just the same as a normal 30 day cycle?
3. to control ammonia means you can reef.
B