Yep Another Cycle Question

Deezill · Jan 13, 2020

Hello,
I have a quick question about my 210 and they cycle process. I have went with a fishless cycle. On Christmas
I added the correct amount of Dr. Tim's Ammonia Chloride to reach 2ppm. I added some Brightwell Microbacter7
and let it go. I have been testing on occasion. A few minutes ago I just tested and my results are below.

Ammonia = 0.00
Nitrite = 0.00
Nitrate = 50ppm (down from 100ppm last week)

My test kit is Red Sea for ammonia and Salifert for No3 and No4.

My question is just continue to wait for Nitrates to drop? I'm in no rush considering my journey started March of 2018. I don't want to miss the opportunity to put fish in and the good bacteria has nothing to feed on.

My last question is how big of a water change do I need to perform once the cycle is complete. Thanks.

Spare time · Jan 13, 2020

If you have a skimmer, consider using nopox to get it down. This avoids water change. There are also nitrate pads that work too. Did you lower the nitrates yourself or was it bacteria (because if you did nothing then that is some impressive bottle of microbacter lol).

Idoc · Jan 13, 2020

Typically a 50-75% water change following a cycle to reduce nitrates... but, that's a lot of water in a 210g system!

Deezill · Jan 13, 2020

Idoc said:
Typically a 50-75% water change following a cycle to reduce nitrates... but, that's a lot of water in a 210g system!

Yeah man, that is a lot of water. Good thing I use instant ocean purple box.

Deezill · Jan 13, 2020

should i wait until the nitrates drop from 50?

Deezill · Jan 13, 2020

Spare time said:
If you have a skimmer, consider using nopox to get it down. This avoids water change. There are also nitrate pads that work too. Did you lower the nitrates yourself or was it bacteria (because if you did nothing then that is some impressive bottle of microbacter lol).

I have done nothing to the tank except top off. I do have my skimmer. I thought i was to wait until nitrates hit 10ppm

Spare time · Jan 13, 2020

Deezill said:
should i wait until the nitrates drop from 50?

I would just go ahead and try to use nopox or something. It shouldnt matter whether it's at 50 or 10.

Deezill · Jan 13, 2020

Funny thing is I have some NoPox lol. I will be using it thanks for the idea.

Spare time · Jan 13, 2020

Deezill said:
Funny thing is I have some NoPox lol. I will be using it thanks for the idea.

Just make sure your skimmer is working properly. I've crashed my tank before when my skimmer stopped working while using nopox lol

Deezill · Jan 13, 2020

I have a

Super Reef Octopus SRO-3000SSS 8” Space Saver Protein Skimmer

Super Reef Octopus® 8” Space Saver Skimmer SRO-3000SSS Filtration Handling Well Stocked Tank - Rated up to 180 gallons Medium Stocked Tank - Rated up to 220 gallons Light Stocked Tank - Rated up to 300 gallons Features: Small Footprint Bubble Diffusing Chamber and Hybrid Cone Body -...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

They discontinued but this skimmer is a workhorse.

Idoc · Jan 13, 2020

Deezill said:
should i wait until the nitrates drop from 50?

Your nitrates probably won't drop from the 50ppm. The bacteria to convert no3 to nitrogen gas is anaerobic therefore has to populate deep in your live rock... which takes years, if at all. The 100ppm earlier was probably a reading of nitrate and nitrite since hobby nitrate tests also include nitrites in their calculation; therefore your nitrates didn't actually drop to 50ppm.

Deezill · Jan 14, 2020

Idoc said:
Your nitrates probably won't drop from the 50ppm. The bacteria to convert no3 to nitrogen gas is anaerobic therefore has to populate deep in your live rock... which takes years, if at all. The 100ppm earlier was probably a reading of nitrate and nitrite since hobby nitrate tests also include nitrites in their calculation; therefore your nitrates didn't actually drop to 50ppm.

good to know. Thanks.

Spare time · Jan 14, 2020

Idoc said:
Your nitrates probably won't drop from the 50ppm. The bacteria to convert no3 to nitrogen gas is anaerobic therefore has to populate deep in your live rock... which takes years, if at all. The 100ppm earlier was probably a reading of nitrate and nitrite since hobby nitrate tests also include nitrites in their calculation; therefore your nitrates didn't actually drop to 50ppm.

I was gonna say that is some heckin microbacter7 haha