Water test and cycle. Is it to soon?

Kyle lanoue · Oct 11, 2015

Been cycling 5 days now test have been the same. I've tested every day . I used cured live sand and cured live rock with previous mix salt water from my lfs. Do you guys think it's okay to add a few crabs for now or a shrimp or snails? I want to add some more live rock this week that's about 35lbs in there now. Or is it to soon and I should be patient?. There is a serpent starfish living in the live rock also .

What can I do to raise PH a little. .

Kyle lanoue · Oct 11, 2015

Test results

Jlobes · Oct 11, 2015

you do realize, the test kit you posted is for freshwater? also, most folks will recommend using a "non" API test for ammonia.

however, after multiple days of adding ammonia and testing 24hours later with a zero test result, for nitrites and ammonia, you are ready to SLOWLY start adding livestock/\.

Reefing Madness · Oct 11, 2015

Yea, you can add fish and a clean up crew, you used cured live rock.

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Luka · Oct 11, 2015

Jlobes said:
you do realize, the test kit you posted is for freshwater? also, most folks will recommend using a "non" API test for ammonia.

however, after multiple days of adding ammonia and testing 24hours later with a zero test result, for nitrites and ammonia, you are ready to SLOWLY start adding livestock/\.

API test kit is the same for both freshwater and saltwater...

Kyle lanoue · Oct 11, 2015

The test kit is the same for freshwater and salt you just don't use low range . PH. So do you suggest I use a different brand for ammonia? Also what do you mean add ammonia to the tank and see if it goes to zero ? I thought you want 0 ammonia so why would you add it to your tank

Reefing Madness · Oct 11, 2015

Luka said:
API test kit is the same for both freshwater and saltwater...

They are not the same. At least the color cards are not the same.

Kyle lanoue · Oct 11, 2015

Yes cards may be different but I have the fluid for the fresh water card ..

Reef_a_holiks · Oct 11, 2015

Your ready to stock, although i like dosing some kind of bottled bacteria for the first 14 days just to be safe. I use macrobacter 7 by brightwell

Kyle lanoue · Oct 11, 2015

Should I add a few drops of house hold ammonia . Test and see if it goes back to 0 in a few days

Jlobes · Oct 11, 2015

Kyle lanoue said:
Should I add a few drops of house hold ammonia . Test and see if it goes back to 0 in a few days

No you should not.

Kyle lanoue · Oct 11, 2015

OK I didn't think so. A few people told me to

Robert Kelley · Oct 12, 2015

Patience is best- what take a chance- wait 2 more weeks!!!

mic209 · Oct 18, 2015

Jlobes said:
No you should not.

You can add household ammonia, this simulates fish poop or a dead rotting shrimp in your system and if it goes down to zero in a short amount of time, this means your bio filter is ready and you are ready to stock. There are dosing amounts out there for how much ammonia to add. Goggle dr tims one and only, there is some good info on there for adding ammonia.

3dees · Oct 18, 2015

if you used all cured live rock your tank could be cycled, but if you add another 35 lbs. you could start another cycle. I would wait until everything is set before adding any livestock.
and get a saltwater testing kit. api is ok for basic tests.