Testing water during cycle.

[zeroeffect]

We have been testing our water and we can see some small changes happening here and there. But my question is this.

During a cycle what all has to change to make it all good in the tank?

I've read a few threads and asked a few questions at the lfs about it but I guess I just can't get it down.

I've been getting some of the names mixed up on what is good and what's not.

Is there a thread or a good site that will walk us step by step from day one to end of cycle on what we want in the tank and do not want?

[rayn]

Ammonia, nitrite, the nitate. Ammonia and nitrite NEED to be zero. Some nitrates are okay, but better at zero depending on your fish and critter population. They generally go up and down in that order. Then you have Ph, alk, phosphate, CA, ma. Depends on tank load and your desire. Others will chime in I'm sure.

[reefvilla]

Thats right ^


For sure get the Ammonia to 0 before you add anything. Nitrites need to be 0 too but Ammonia is the killer.

[dwd5813]

test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. bacteria populations increase as food in the form of ammonia and nitrite becomes available as organics decay produces ammonia which in turn gets converted by bacteria to nitrite which gets converted to nitrate which gets removed with water changes, used by life in your tank (algae, etc..) and eventually converted by specialized bacteria. test for ammonia, let that rise and fall, test for nitrite, let that rise and fall, test for nitrate, let that rise and make it fall with water changes or refugium plants, etc.. and once that is all happening on a regular enough pace that you can not detect ammonia or nitrite and your nitrate is low to 0 you can start adding slowly. keep an eye on those levels after additions to make sure your tank can handle it on its own.