Tank cycling

[reefrookie379]

Hello all,

I started my new tank, MarineX 100.4, on Sunday April 24th. I added in 16 oz of Turbo start 900 along with feeding the bacteria with Algae Barn NitroCycle ammonia. The tank was cycled according to testing on May 2nd. I added my first fish, a pair of clowns, on May 3. I have tested this morning and there was 0 nitrites but 20-40 nitrates reading with API dip test .. API ammonia test is reading 0.25-0.5 it seems. Is it time to add a clean up crew or do my first water change? Tank has no show of any algae bloom or diatoms to this point. Thank you.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all,

I started my new tank, MarineX 100.4, on Sunday April 24th. I added in 16 oz of Turbo start 900 along with feeding the bacteria with Algae Barn NitroCycle ammonia. The tank was cycled according to testing on May 2nd. I added my first fish, a pair of clowns, on May 3. I have tested this morning and there was 0 nitrites but 20-40 nitrates reading with API dip test .. API ammonia test is reading 0.25-0.5 it seems. Is it time to add a clean up crew or do my first water change? Tank has no show of any algae bloom or diatoms to this point. Thank you.

API strips are geared for freshwater use also and quite inaccurate
Tank a water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use API test kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours
Nitrite has no significance in saltwater tank unless SKY HIGH

 

[Freenow54]

Hello all,

I started my new tank, MarineX 100.4, on Sunday April 24th. I added in 16 oz of Turbo start 900 along with feeding the bacteria with Algae Barn NitroCycle ammonia. The tank was cycled according to testing on May 2nd. I added my first fish, a pair of clowns, on May 3. I have tested this morning and there was 0 nitrites but 20-40 nitrates reading with API dip test .. API ammonia test is reading 0.25-0.5 it seems. Is it time to add a clean up crew or do my first water change? Tank has no show of any algae bloom or diatoms to this point. Thank you.

Pretty quick cycling hard to believe. Mine took 45 days

 

[Freenow54]

You have to keep adding Pure ammonia until at least 4ppm is transformed in one day

 

[Dbichler]

Your cycled don’t add anymore ammonia you’ll just end up with more nitrates. I would however get better testing supplies. Salifert Hannah Red Sea nyos would be good choices. You’ll need nitrate phosphate to start and mag cal and alk before adding corals

 

[Garf]

I wouldn’t add a clean up crew until there’s something in there for them to eat. But as above, DONT add extra ammonia with fish in there.

 

[Freenow54]

I wouldn’t add a clean up crew until there’s something in there for them to eat. But as above, DONT add extra ammonia with fish in there.

Your cycled don’t add anymore ammonia you’ll just end up with more nitrates. I would however get better testing supplies. Salifert Hannah Red Sea nyos would be good choices. You’ll need nitrate phosphate to start and mag cal and alk before adding corals

Sorry I did not notice fish present I am wrong

 

[reefrookie379]

Pretty quick cycling hard to believe. Mine took 45

You have to keep adding Pure ammonia until at least 4ppm is transformed in one day

To my understanding it was safe to add fish when it was transforming 1-2 ppm in 24 hours wish it was. That’s when I added my clowns.

 

[reefrookie379]

Your cycled don’t add anymore ammonia you’ll just end up with more nitrates. I would however get better testing supplies. Salifert Hannah Red Sea nyos would be good choices. You’ll need nitrate phosphate to start and mag cal and alk before adding corals

Thank you I will look into those test kits. So I should start on my water change schedule or do I continue to hold off until I reach certain parameters?

 

[Nonya]

Welcome to the hobby! It's not too late to request a new username, though. If you're still doing this 5 years down the road people will think you're still a newbie. LOL

 

[Dbichler]

I would do water changes weekly for the first year then check and see how long for parameters to change and adjust then.

 

[Garf]

To my understanding it was safe to add fish when it was transforming 1-2 ppm in 24 hours wish it was. That’s when I added my clowns.

Yes, that’s more than enough. Total ammonia can approach 1.5ppm at normal pH ranges before the free ammonia seems problematic. Clowns are apparently hardy so you should be fine. I would just monitor and do regular water changes as part of your maintenance schedule.