whats going on ?? opinions please

ODShaun · 05/16/2008, 01:32 AM

so my tank has been cycling for about three weeks exactly. tested my water yesterday and ammonia, nitrates, nitrites seem to be going down slowly. i did a 50% water change about a week and half ago, water is much clearer. oh.. I have a 50 gal (48x15Wx16deep) with 50/50 live sand and 50 lbs of LR. 20 gal refugium/sump with internal protein skimmer and cheato in the next chamber. Cheato seem to be growing though. My parameters is ammonia is about almost 0, and nitrite is at 0.1 close to 0.05, and my nitrates are at 50..I was thinking, could it possibly be the test kit ? My buddy gave it to me, dont know how old it could be, its made by red sea ( marine lab).. I might just take some water to a LFS and have them test it. So but if my parameters are still high, what do I do to get near perfect water condition, I at least want to put a clean up crew, question is, is my tank even ready for that, i would hate to have anything die in there, especially if it was the first critter to go in? Opinions please.. thanks

nmbeg · 05/16/2008, 01:44 AM

It wouldn't hurt to retest the kit.... but if I am interpreting things correctly, your tank is cycling well. The ammonia and nitrites are zero..... meaning the bacteria are doing their job and converting it all to nitrate. The only ways to get rid of nitrate are 1. DSB or plenum for anaerobic bacteria to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas, 2. biodiversity such as your LR and fuge to take up the nitrate and 3. water changes.

I think you are on the right track. patience. keep doing what you are doing. Then again what do i know, i am a newb myself.

kau_cinta_ku · 05/16/2008, 01:59 AM

I agree, your cycle is doing well. just take your time, if you retest the nitrates and they are still high, I suggest holding off on the CUC. CUC's are more sensitive to nitrate than fish are.

Victor1046 · 05/16/2008, 06:42 AM

I have always heard not to do water changes during the cycle.

Check on this!!! I think the whole idea is to actually let the tank cycle without interference.

Good luck

Amoore311 · 05/16/2008, 07:19 AM

You're close enough to the end of the cycle where a decent sized water change isn't going to hurt anything.

You're probably another week out till the tank is done cycling. You can do the w/c now or in a week, makes no difference.

drparker · 05/16/2008, 08:07 AM

Doing water changes does not slow down your cycle. It's actually better for the cycle. There was an article in the chem forum that showed the total time to cycle and end results were the same between no water changes and frequent water changes.

The tank with frequent water changes had a linear decline in ammonia readings instead of several very high and very low spikes. They both arrived at zero at the same time. With no water changes the ammonia levels rise very high then the bacteria colonies multiply to meet the food source and the ammonia level drops to a very low reading. They then starve and die off and the ammonia level shoots up again. This cycle of continues until equilibrium. Same thing holds true for nitrites and nitrates.

Water changes keeps your system from having high spikes thus preserving more life in the live rocks. But it does cost more since you go through more salt.

Michael · 05/16/2008, 08:13 AM

heres alittle more help for you courtesy of mr farley, this will answer some questions im sure

http://web.archive.org/web/200305101...&RecordNo=3090

ODShaun · 05/17/2008, 01:03 AM

thanks guys... any more opinions?? so how many gallons should i change out of a 55 gal? and what next ? let the water cycle and then how long should i retest?

demonsp · 05/17/2008, 01:20 AM

Changing water during cycle only slows and or stops its production. I love how others can base this on there experiance alone. I have some great info on whats happening in your cycling tank and why not to do water changes,and if you want more let me know.

Quote:

" However, without ammonia present the cycle cannot begin, and if ammonia is removed, or the supply is disrupted during cycling, the process stops. As you see the ammonia level rise during the cycling period, if you think by adding an ammonia destroyer or doing a water change to bring it down is helping, it isn't! You are only delaying the cycling process and preventing it from completing its mission. "

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bio...a/aa073199.htm

demonsp · 05/17/2008, 01:24 AM

Newbs. Its i use tap with no problem , or i skipped the cycle or i used a damsel to cycle or my favorite ,lion fish in my 20 gallon reef tank with no flow is dieing or ect. ect. .

05/16/2008, 01:32 AM	#1
ODShaun Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 701	whats going on ?? opinions please so my tank has been cycling for about three weeks exactly. tested my water yesterday and ammonia, nitrates, nitrites seem to be going down slowly. i did a 50% water change about a week and half ago, water is much clearer. oh.. I have a 50 gal (48x15Wx16deep) with 50/50 live sand and 50 lbs of LR. 20 gal refugium/sump with internal protein skimmer and cheato in the next chamber. Cheato seem to be growing though. My parameters is ammonia is about almost 0, and nitrite is at 0.1 close to 0.05, and my nitrates are at 50..I was thinking, could it possibly be the test kit ? My buddy gave it to me, dont know how old it could be, its made by red sea ( marine lab).. I might just take some water to a LFS and have them test it. So but if my parameters are still high, what do I do to get near perfect water condition, I at least want to put a clean up crew, question is, is my tank even ready for that, i would hate to have anything die in there, especially if it was the first critter to go in? Opinions please.. thanks

05/16/2008, 06:42 AM	#4
Victor1046 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delray Beach FL Posts: 427	I have always heard not to do water changes during the cycle. Check on this!!! I think the whole idea is to actually let the tank cycle without interference. Good luck __________________ Victoria Current Tank Info: 110Gl, 2X250 MH 2X96W ACT , PS, 2 Tom Clowns, bi-color blennie,flame angel, brain, colt, BTA, Xenia, Red & Yellow Zoe, Green Boniopora, Red Cynarina, Trumpet, Hammer Coral, mushrooms, leather,

05/16/2008, 08:13 AM	#7
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	heres alittle more help for you courtesy of mr farley, this will answer some questions im sure http://web.archive.org/web/200305101...&RecordNo=3090 __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/16/2008, 01:44 AM	#2
nmbeg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 894	It wouldn't hurt to retest the kit.... but if I am interpreting things correctly, your tank is cycling well. The ammonia and nitrites are zero..... meaning the bacteria are doing their job and converting it all to nitrate. The only ways to get rid of nitrate are 1. DSB or plenum for anaerobic bacteria to convert nitrate to nitrogen gas, 2. biodiversity such as your LR and fuge to take up the nitrate and 3. water changes. I think you are on the right track. patience. keep doing what you are doing. Then again what do i know, i am a newb myself.

05/16/2008, 01:59 AM	#3
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	I agree, your cycle is doing well. just take your time, if you retest the nitrates and they are still high, I suggest holding off on the CUC. CUC's are more sensitive to nitrate than fish are.

05/16/2008, 07:19 AM	#5
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	You're close enough to the end of the cycle where a decent sized water change isn't going to hurt anything. You're probably another week out till the tank is done cycling. You can do the w/c now or in a week, makes no difference.

05/16/2008, 08:07 AM	#6
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Doing water changes does not slow down your cycle. It's actually better for the cycle. There was an article in the chem forum that showed the total time to cycle and end results were the same between no water changes and frequent water changes. The tank with frequent water changes had a linear decline in ammonia readings instead of several very high and very low spikes. They both arrived at zero at the same time. With no water changes the ammonia levels rise very high then the bacteria colonies multiply to meet the food source and the ammonia level drops to a very low reading. They then starve and die off and the ammonia level shoots up again. This cycle of continues until equilibrium. Same thing holds true for nitrites and nitrates. Water changes keeps your system from having high spikes thus preserving more life in the live rocks. But it does cost more since you go through more salt.

05/17/2008, 01:03 AM	#8
ODShaun Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 701	thanks guys... any more opinions?? so how many gallons should i change out of a 55 gal? and what next ? let the water cycle and then how long should i retest?

05/17/2008, 01:20 AM	#9
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Changing water during cycle only slows and or stops its production. I love how others can base this on there experiance alone. I have some great info on whats happening in your cycling tank and why not to do water changes,and if you want more let me know. Quote: " However, without ammonia present the cycle cannot begin, and if ammonia is removed, or the supply is disrupted during cycling, the process stops. As you see the ammonia level rise during the cycling period, if you think by adding an ammonia destroyer or doing a water change to bring it down is helping, it isn't! You are only delaying the cycling process and preventing it from completing its mission. " http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bio...a/aa073199.htm

05/17/2008, 01:24 AM	#10
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Newbs. Its i use tap with no problem , or i skipped the cycle or i used a damsel to cycle or my favorite ,lion fish in my 20 gallon reef tank with no flow is dieing or ect. ect. .