Questions regarding tank cycling

inverttank · Jan 17, 2014

Hello everyone,

I just want to ask regarding my cycling tank., It is a 50 gallon fowlr with around 55 lbs lr, 2 1800l/h powerheads and a protein skimmer no sump, so I did my first reading on ammonia nitrite and nitrate today and results were
ammonia- 0.25-0.5 ppm
NO2 - 0 ppm and
NO3 - 5-10 ppm
My tank has only been running for exactly 1 week today and I was surprised to have these results on my first test compared to my previous 5gallon and 10 gallon tank.
Is this possible or did I just have an error on the readings?

Oh btw, I am using an API saltwater master test kit

Zero Nitrates · Jan 18, 2014

Have you added something to the tank to start the cycle?

inverttank · Jan 18, 2014

I placed a piece of fishmeat from the fridge since day 1 of the tank

Zero Nitrates · Jan 18, 2014

It might have already cycled some or the test could kit could be a little off. It seems to me that every tank is different and acts in different ways.

inverttank · Jan 18, 2014

I see, thank you. I guess I'll just keep observing for a few more weeks

inverttank · Jan 23, 2014

So i tested my tank again yesterday and ammonia and nitrite are at 0 ppm while nitrate gone up abit to 10-20 ppm, can i add CUC at this point?

Reefing Madness · Jan 23, 2014

Wait another 3 days and test again. If you used FUlly Cured Live Rock, then your tank will not go through the normal cycle, and is probably already done. Everyones tank goes through this differently.

beaslbob · Jan 23, 2014

sound like you got some algae or macros in the system.
As they consume ammonia any nitrates in the system will build up.

my .02

inverttank · Jan 23, 2014

I am not sure if the live rock was fully cured, aince it wasnt labeled in thw lfs when i bought it, but it seemed to be in the tank for a long time, since there are a few green algae on some of the rocks, some inverts did come out of the rock prior to putting in the tank and had been removed before i put in the piece of fishmeat, thank you for the reply

inverttank · Jan 23, 2014

Reefing madness, after i test on the 3rd day, results are the same can I start doing water changes and add CUC?

bigfoot86 · Jan 23, 2014

Yea it could very well be that your tank has cycled. Some tanks will cycle quicker than other, but it's always good to be patient. I had my tank cycled in about 3 weeks but I still waited till week 6 to put a cuc in. Patience is the name of the game.