Stumped by Water Test Results

[ericwithac]

Hey guys. Had my tank going for a week with some Chromis in there to cycle.

Tested my water today and, Well im stumped. There is 0 ammonia, .25 nitrite and 5ppm nitrate.

Last week when i tested my ammonia was at .25, nitrite at .50 and nitrate at 10ppm.

Any ideas?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Eric,

In all due respect to you, cycling a tank with fish is a practice long ago discontinued. Any small amounts of ammonia can damage gills, internal organs and shorten life span or even worse, death. Damage can not be reversed.

Though Chromis are typically "cheap" fish, it's still considered inhumane to practice this way of cycling.

Removal of the fish and rehoming them to a cycled system is advisable.

Please take sometime and read over the following:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/cycling-a-brand-new-reef-aquarium.542/

 

[ericwithac]

Eric,

In all due respect to you, cycling a tank with fish is a practice long ago discontinued. Any small amounts of ammonia can damage gills, internal organs and shorten life span or even worse, death. Damage can not be reversed.

Though Chromis are typically "cheap" fish, it's still considered inhumane to practice this way of cycling.

Removal of the fish and rehoming them to a cycled system is advisable.

Please take sometime and read over the following:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/cycling-a-brand-new-reef-aquarium.542/

With all due respect this is how I have cycled many tanks in the past and the way I know how. Also, and no offense at all, but that doesn’t help answer my question.

Thanks for the article and insight.

 

[elisa h]

Levels of nitrite in water can make nitrate test higher than it is. I wouldn’t worry about nitrate levels until nitrite is 0. Then you will get an accurate nitrate reading. Looks like the cycle is progressing normally as ammonia and nitrite are dropping

 

[BestMomEver]

What test kits are you using? I started with API kits cause that’s all the LFSs in my area carry. Everyone here suggested I try a different test kit, like Salifert or Red Sea. When I did, I was shocked. The API test kit had been reading 0 nitrate and nitrite. My Red Sea kits read something completely different. Later, I got Hanna checkers and haven’t been happier. Something to consider.

But, for your current problem, it looks like your tank is processing ammonia properly. The addition of fish so soon in the cycle may have impacted the cycle. For now, I would recommend 10-15% water changes every other day for a bit just to take the stress away from the chromis and to help everything along.

Good luck! Ask any questions you need. Everyone here really wants to help!

 

[ericwithac]

What test kits are you using? I started with API kits cause that’s all the LFSs in my area carry. Everyone here suggested I try a different test kit, like Salifert or Red Sea. When I did, I was shocked. The API test kit had been reading 0 nitrate and nitrite. My Red Sea kits read something completely different. Later, I got Hanna checkers and haven’t been happier. Something to consider.

But, for your current problem, it looks like your tank is processing ammonia properly. The addition of fish so soon in the cycle may have impacted the cycle. For now, I would recommend 10-15% water changes every other day for a bit just to take the stress away from the chromis and to help everything along.

Good luck! Ask any questions you need. Everyone here really wants to help!

Hey thanks for the input! I did another water test today.
0 ammonia
0 nitrates
between 0 and .25 nitrite

does that seem cycled? im just confused by 0 nitrates...

 

[EMeyer]

What test kits are you using? I started with API kits cause that’s all the LFSs in my area carry. Everyone here suggested I try a different test kit, like Salifert or Red Sea. When I did, I was shocked. The API test kit had been reading 0 nitrate and nitrite. My Red Sea kits read something completely different. Later, I got Hanna checkers and haven’t been happier. Something to consider.

But, for your current problem, it looks like your tank is processing ammonia properly. The addition of fish so soon in the cycle may have impacted the cycle. For now, I would recommend 10-15% water changes every other day for a bit just to take the stress away from the chromis and to help everything along.

Good luck! Ask any questions you need. Everyone here really wants to help!

My experience matches yours with API. Actually I'm not convinced API nitrate kits are anything but yellow dye. I've added powdered calcium nitrate directly to the tube without a color change, and have never seen the test read anything but zero except while cycling.

I love Seachem nitrates -- don't know any other company that actually includes a standard.

 

[ericwithac]

My experience matches yours with API. Actually I'm not convinced API nitrate kits are anything but yellow dye. I've added powdered calcium nitrate directly to the tube without a color change, and have never seen the test read anything but zero except while cycling.

I love Seachem nitrates -- don't know any other company that actually includes a standard.

So would you say my tank has cycled? I have nitrates up around 10 and it seems they have dropped off along with everything else

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

With all due respect this is how I have cycled many tanks in the past and the way I know how. Also, and no offense at all, but that doesn’t help answer my question.

Thanks for the article and insight.

Use prime for a week. Neutralize ammonia . Aslo helps nitrates. Read about the product. Been using forever

 

[ericwithac]

Use prime for a week. Neutralize ammonia . Aslo helps nitrates. Read about the product. Been using forever

Seachem Prime? I use it in my freshwater tank, I was told not to use it in the Saltwater tank

 

[Salt1972]

With all due respect this is how I have cycled many tanks in the past and the way I know how. Also, and no offense at all, but that doesn’t help answer my question.

Thanks for the article and insight.

Eric - Your response to Don was a bit curt. If you KNOW HOW then why are you asking questions? Cycling with fish is inhumane, dated, and less effective than current methods. It's a simple and quick study to learn a more effective process that will help you, your tank, and your inhabitants for the life of your system.

With regard to your question, you do know that "cycling" isn't definitive, right? There are degrees of maturity in the nitrogen system. Your system isn't mature yet. Rushing will result in both short and long term problems.

 

[ericwithac]

Eric - Your response to Don was a bit curt. If you KNOW HOW then why are you asking questions? Cycling with fish is inhumane, dated, and less effective than current methods. It's a simple and quick study to learn a more effective process that will help you, your tank, and your inhabitants for the life of your system.

With regard to your question, you do know that "cycling" isn't definitive, right? There are degrees of maturity in the nitrogen system. Your system isn't mature yet. Rushing will result in both short and long term problems.

I learned long ago asking questions is the best way to learn. Im simply asking if my tank is getting to the initial cycle point.

 

[saltyhog]

If you still have nitrite (which I understand you did with your last test) you are not cycled yet. What was the high point on your ammonia and nitrite?

 

[ericwithac]

If you still have nitrite (which I understand you did with your last test) you are not cycled yet. What was the high point on your ammonia and nitrite?

Ammonia was .5 and Nitrite was .5 as well. I had the LFS test my water yesterday and they said i should be good in a week, just had about .25 Nitrite and nothing else.

 

[saltyhog]

Ammonia was .5 and Nitrite was .5 as well. I had the LFS test my water yesterday and they said i should be good in a week, just had about .25 Nitrite and nothing else.

That is not a very robust cycle with a peak ammonia of 0.5. One of the many issues with using fish to cycle the tank. I wouldn't add any fish for a while even after your ammonia and nitrite get to zero. Feed the tank and let the biofilter mature some. Just my opinion.