With Headaches and Lessons Learned a New Tank Build

WWIII · May 23, 2018

Ditto said:
Not yet was going to put it in on the 14 day with the water change per thier instructions.

Dr Tim says after tomorrow reading you put fish and based on the reading just do not think that the case.

Yeah I'd be a little cautious with adding fish. Definitely want to get ammonia and nitrite down to 0 before, which shouldn't take long, but maybe a bit longer than 24hrs for nitrite especially. I'd just go off the tests and wait for those to bottom out. Then check nitrates and see where your at. Good thing is cycle should be pretty strong!

I'm getting ready to switch sumps to one with a big refugium. Interested to see how well it does with nutrients! I'm sick of buying gfo. Lol Probably will still need it, but hopefully less!

Ditto · May 24, 2018

Day 8

PH has risen on average 7.95
Ammonia has dropped to .50
Nitrite is between 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is also now between 80 and 40.

It seems everything is now going down.

You agree?

mattgsa · May 25, 2018

Great looking build

Ditto · May 25, 2018

Day 8 of the cycle

PH has Dropped to 7.85
Ammonia has dropped to .25
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40.

According to Dr Tim’s I can add a fish tomorrow but based on these readings no hehe.

Will measure tomorrow.

Ditto · May 26, 2018

Day 9
According to Dr Tim’s guide I am suppose to be adding a fish today but not with these readings.

PH has Stayed steady at 7.88
Ammonia is now at 0
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40.

I am wondering do I do a partial water change? Or just keep monitoring?

Ditto · May 27, 2018

Day 10
According to Dr Tim’s guide I am already suppose to have fish (not with these parameters)

PH has Stayed steady at 7.88
Ammonia is Between 0 and .25
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40

I am going to do a 10% water change tomorrow.

Ditto · May 28, 2018

I did a 10% water change today:

Day 11
PH has Risen and average 7.93
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40

Not sure on course of action, another 10% water change? Was hoping to see nitrate and nitrite also go down and hey did not.

Ditto · May 29, 2018

Day 12
Really no change from yesterday reading.

PH has Risen and average 7.94
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40

What I have read on the forums is let it go for now and it will go down. I am going to do that and keep testing daily.

najer · May 30, 2018

Ditto said:
Day 12
Really no change from yesterday reading.

PH has Risen and average 7.94
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40

What I have read on the forums is let it go for now and it will go down. I am going to do that and keep testing daily.

I have been observing, can you get the tests done elsewhere, people don't tend to rave about API kits?!

Ditto · May 30, 2018

I have a Red Sea test kit coming in tomorrow to test and running a sample water to local LFS tonight.

Ditto · May 30, 2018

Day 13
No real change, a new test kit on the way.

PH has Risen 7.95
Ammonia is between 0 and .25
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate is still between 80 and 40

Ditto · Jun 1, 2018

Day 14
No change from day 13 forgot to post

Day 15
The one test kit:

Ammonia is between 0 and .25
Nitrite is still 2.0 and 1.0
Nitrate Has dropped to 40

Second kit

Ammonia between 0 and .2
Nitrite .1
Nitrate between 2-5

PH is slowly rising was over 8.02 today. ORP also beginning to rise.

WWIII · Jun 1, 2018

Could always get some more bacteria in a bottle. Biospira or fritz to switch it up and add to. Or just wait.

Ditto · Jun 1, 2018

No hurry, I figure give it two more weeks then if not add some more bacteria

Just not sure if I should do another water change at tomorrow as dr Tim’s said 25% at 14 days. I did a 10% already but figure I was now just going to let it cycle.

Was going to start the carbon tomorrow thou.

WWIII · Jun 1, 2018

If it was me I'd just let it go as well. Carbon dosing or carbon/carbon? If carbon/carbon I don't think it will hurt anything if that's your game plan. I betcha ammonia and nitrite are bottomed out before 2 weeks, but maybe it will take that long? I think I'd just wait till then to do 25% water change personally. Really no wrong way when your experienced and taking your time. It will get there and be a good cycle one way or another!

I just can't wait to see all the automation on this setup!!!

Ditto · Jun 2, 2018

Just carbon carbon, not carbon dosing was just going to begin the carbon to remove any other impurities or any smell from the water.

I figure no real hurry the tank is up the cycle process looks pretty good. If it takes two or three more weeks we will at least say we did not rush the most important part the cycle.

I do like the Red Sea test kit better now I have it.

Ditto · Jun 2, 2018

Day 15

Test kit 1
Ammonia is between .25 and .50
Nitrite dropped to 0
Nitrate is between 0 and 5pm

Test kit 2
Ammonia is between 0 and .2
Nitrite is Between 0 and .05
Nitrate is between 2 and 5

Ph dropped to 7.85
Orp is rising still.

I did a phantom feeding also today.

Ditto · Jun 3, 2018

Day 16

Test kit 1
Ammonia is between 0 and .25
Nitrite are now steady 0
Nitrate is between 0 and 5 but very close to the 0 color.

Test kit 2
Ammonia is between 0 and .2
Nitrite dropped to 0
Nitrate is between 0 and 2

Ph slowing rising again
Orp is steadily going up
O2 is now also going up

Ditto · Jun 4, 2018

Day 17
Test kit 1
Ammonia is between 0 and .25.
Nitrite are now steady 0
Nitrate is between 0 and 5 but I am saying it like a 0 now.

Test kit 2
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate is between 0 and 2, dropping slowly.

PH is back over 8 during the day again.
ORP and Oxygen are still rising.

No outbreak at all within the tank, not sure of that is bad or good but also the lights been out the entire time.