Screwgunner
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He's right. It would be .0000125 x 720 + 1.017 = 1.026
Salinity and mathatics help?
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Mark Novack
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Hello Randy,
I had not planned on experimenting, just going forward with the plan. However, it would be interesting to test, if possible, the nitrifying bed before I raise the salinity at all to see what is actually happening. What would be a good product to rapidly force a small ammonia spike without using ammonia? The Prodibio bacteria nutrient capsules smell like decaying snail. Is this designed to decay quickly into free ammonia? How could I safely test this? Perhaps a double dose of nutrient ampules? This is just for the sake of curiosity. The tank has been running with 2 blocks of Marine Pure since 1 March and yesterday I had a trace of nitrite, maybe. My test kit is a few months past expiration. My back pain pills expired 8 years ago and still work fine.
Thanks,
Mark
I had not planned on experimenting, just going forward with the plan. However, it would be interesting to test, if possible, the nitrifying bed before I raise the salinity at all to see what is actually happening. What would be a good product to rapidly force a small ammonia spike without using ammonia? The Prodibio bacteria nutrient capsules smell like decaying snail. Is this designed to decay quickly into free ammonia? How could I safely test this? Perhaps a double dose of nutrient ampules? This is just for the sake of curiosity. The tank has been running with 2 blocks of Marine Pure since 1 March and yesterday I had a trace of nitrite, maybe. My test kit is a few months past expiration. My back pain pills expired 8 years ago and still work fine.
Thanks,
Mark
Dennis Cartier
Valuable Member
Did I hear someone say experiment? Time for Coca Cola 
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Product for reducing nitrite?
I know there is lots of conflicting information as to whether or not nitrite has an adverse effect on fish livelihood. I am currently cycling a Waterbox 50.3 after about 18 days my ammonia read 0 on my Red Sea test but still registering high nitrites. (Nitrate around 25/30) I dosed 2 250 ml...
www.reef2reef.com
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Mark Novack
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It is starting the cycle. Nitrite must increase for now. I'm wondering if it's possible to test its efficiency after the basic cycle is finished.Did I hear someone say experiment? Time for Coca Cola
Product for reducing nitrite?
I know there is lots of conflicting information as to whether or not nitrite has an adverse effect on fish livelihood. I am currently cycling a Waterbox 50.3 after about 18 days my ammonia read 0 on my Red Sea test but still registering high nitrites. (Nitrate around 25/30) I dosed 2 250 ml...
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Ammonia dosing is the way to best test it.
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Any rotting or eaten food will work, but as a test, adding a known amount of ammonia is easiest to interpret.
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Mark Novack
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Ammonia as in what my wife uses when she goes cleaning crazy or am I looking for something special?
What is a good level to try? 1PPM? .5PPM?
Dosage for 800 liters, for 1PPM is 0.8 ml. .5PPM is 0.4 ml. Does that check out?
How fast should a newly cycled but empty tank process that into nitrate to call it effective? I assume the ammonia level is properly detectable as soon as its mixed thoroughly? I will assume nothing. That is why I'm asking. Turn up the current, turn up the sump, mix it for a few minutes and do the ammonia test? Then test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates daily?
I recently read on another thread that using ammonia makes a 90% water change necessary after the cycle. Is there any truth in that? It smells fishy. I don't normally change water on new tanks unless there is a problem or if nitrates go to high, but even so not a 90%.
My nitrites are already climbing. Something is working.
Mark
What is a good level to try? 1PPM? .5PPM?
Dosage for 800 liters, for 1PPM is 0.8 ml. .5PPM is 0.4 ml. Does that check out?
How fast should a newly cycled but empty tank process that into nitrate to call it effective? I assume the ammonia level is properly detectable as soon as its mixed thoroughly? I will assume nothing. That is why I'm asking. Turn up the current, turn up the sump, mix it for a few minutes and do the ammonia test? Then test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates daily?
I recently read on another thread that using ammonia makes a 90% water change necessary after the cycle. Is there any truth in that? It smells fishy. I don't normally change water on new tanks unless there is a problem or if nitrates go to high, but even so not a 90%.
My nitrites are already climbing. Something is working.
Mark
Randy Holmes-Farley
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This pdf discusses ammonia dosing and how fast it can decline:
Randy Holmes-Farley
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I'd somehow want to know the tank was cycled. Exactly how cycled (ammonia degradation capacity) is not that important unless you intend to add a lot of fish at once.
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Mark Novack
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I have read nothing but good things about Dr. Tim's products.
His ammonia solution is specially diluted for his dosing regime and unless I can find a similar product I'll take his advise and not use household ammonia. I imagine there are diverse detergeants in those.
His ammonia solution is specially diluted for his dosing regime and unless I can find a similar product I'll take his advise and not use household ammonia. I imagine there are diverse detergeants in those.
I think you are way over thinking this.
"Cycles" do not take that long to begin with and im not sure you'll gain any real benefits from doing it this way. Its a simple game of cultivating bacteria and feeding it to produce. Thatll happen both ways.
Little confused that you are lowering temp to speed up the process but then calling it a long, patient cycle over 4 months. Just seems a bit "catch 22" to me.
Interesting to know the results when/if you document it though.
"Cycles" do not take that long to begin with and im not sure you'll gain any real benefits from doing it this way. Its a simple game of cultivating bacteria and feeding it to produce. Thatll happen both ways.
Little confused that you are lowering temp to speed up the process but then calling it a long, patient cycle over 4 months. Just seems a bit "catch 22" to me.
Interesting to know the results when/if you document it though.
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Mark Novack
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Ammonia and cycle testing is really just curiosity. As far as how its working, nitrite is rising rapidly now on day ten. I'm working with 3 year old or older test kits so I'm going shopping later for the basics and salt.
I am in no rush at all to add fish for the moment, even though the anticipation is there. My original plan was to start this whole effort in April. The only reason its running is because we had a week of abnormally nice weather to let me work outside with rock and bleach and ice cold water.
A note. I started with marine aquariums 43 years ago working in a fish store. I restarted again 11 year ago with serious reefing by reading volumes 1-3 of Delbeek and Sprung's The Reef Aquarium and scouring university data bases for deeper knowledge. This is, however, my first sterile start in reefing without 100 pounds of fresh live Indonesian or Fijian rock cured to perfection and loaded with everything the ocean offered. That is still available but oh my lord has the price gone up!
I am in no rush at all to add fish for the moment, even though the anticipation is there. My original plan was to start this whole effort in April. The only reason its running is because we had a week of abnormally nice weather to let me work outside with rock and bleach and ice cold water.
A note. I started with marine aquariums 43 years ago working in a fish store. I restarted again 11 year ago with serious reefing by reading volumes 1-3 of Delbeek and Sprung's The Reef Aquarium and scouring university data bases for deeper knowledge. This is, however, my first sterile start in reefing without 100 pounds of fresh live Indonesian or Fijian rock cured to perfection and loaded with everything the ocean offered. That is still available but oh my lord has the price gone up!
