PH drop and Nitrate rise Cycling Aquarium

[jacobP223]

Parameters:

Before adding dead shrimp
(I have Live rocks and sand)

pH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40

After 24 hours (shrimp removed and seachem stability dosed after)

pH: 7.4
Ammonia: 8.0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate: 80

Question: Is the nitrate reading a big deal? Can it affect overall cycling of my aquarium? Also Is the pH fluctuation normal?

Notes: Nitrate is not from water used. It was 0 before adding to aquarium

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Double check the ph. That’s pretty hard to get that low.
But yes , the forming bacteria exhale. Co2 and drop the ph.
The tank will also fall into equilibrium with the co2 levels in the room.

The ammoina is converting into nitrate.
A big water change(or two) needs to be done after ammonia is zero.

 

[brandon429]

Live rocks are already cycled and never need shrimp added and are ready to go when you bring them home

Post pics

The kind of cycle we test for and wait for is non live, dry rock cycling. Pics will clear things up quickly

The params and timing posted indicate live rock which is ready.

 

[jacobP223]

What pictures do you want? Also, I learned that my pH in my water source is actually 7.4. Wha should I do? Same water params today and yesterday

 

[jacobP223]

Double check the ph. That’s pretty hard to get that low.
But yes , the forming bacteria exhale. Co2 and drop the ph.
The tank will also fall into equilibrium with the co2 levels in the room.

The ammoina is converting into nitrate.
A big water change(or two) needs to be done after ammonia is zero.

You're right. It only dropped to 7.8. But I tested my water source and it was 7.4.

 

[jacobP223]

Live rocks are already cycled and never need shrimp added and are ready to go when you bring them home

Post pics

The kind of cycle we test for and wait for is non live, dry rock cycling. Pics will clear things up quickly

The params and timing posted indicate live rock which is ready.

W

What pictures do you want? Also, I learned that my pH in my water source is actually 7.4. What should I do? Same water params today and yesterday

 

[brandon429]

How about the pic part, of your rocks, so we can see if they are already cycled


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-microbiology-of-reef-tank-cycling.214618/

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You're right. It only dropped to 7.8. But I tested my water source and it was 7.4.

74 is correct for standing rodi water