Cycling question

TDB · 01/10/2015, 09:53 AM

My reef tank has been running a week and here is the results of testing

PH 8.2
Nitrates 5.0 PPM
Ammonia 2.0 PPM
Temp 79
Salinity 1.024

I guess it is time for a water change ?

ReefKeep66 · 01/10/2015, 10:08 AM

What are your nitrites? Your need to wait until ammonia and nitrites are 0 and for the nitrate spike, after that you can do a 50% wc

billsreef · 01/10/2015, 10:09 AM

Are you cycling with live fish? If so, yes do a water change to drop that ammonia for the sake of the fish. If your doing a fishless cycle (which I hope you are), than don't do anything but wait out the cycle

gone fishin · 01/10/2015, 10:13 AM

What Bill said. Good luck

dkeller_nc · 01/10/2015, 10:24 AM

And, you don't necessarily need to buy a nitrite test if you don't already have one. You simply test for ammonia and nitrate every week or so and wait until your ammonia tests "zero" for 2 successive test points, and your nitrate concentrations stabilize. At that point, you do a large water change (50% or more), or several smaller water changes to get your nitrates below 10 ppm, and slowly start introducing animals, starting with a clean-up crew (CUC).

TDB · 01/10/2015, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billsreef

Are you cycling with live fish? If so, yes do a water change to drop that ammonia for the sake of the fish. If your doing a fishless cycle (which I hope you are), than don't do anything but wait out the cycle

No I have no live stock at all just live and dry rock

TDB · 01/10/2015, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkeller_nc

And, you don't necessarily need to buy a nitrite test if you don't already have one. You simply test for ammonia and nitrate every week or so and wait until your ammonia tests "zero" for 2 successive test points, and your nitrate concentrations stabilize. At that point, you do a large water change (50% or more), or several smaller water changes to get your nitrates below 10 ppm, and slowly start introducing animals, starting with a clean-up crew (CUC).

I am in no hurry to put anything in the tank. I had a set up about 6 years ago and got in a hurry which caused a lot of problems . I am doing it right this time

TDB · 01/10/2015, 10:51 AM

Nitrite 0.50 PPM

01/10/2015, 09:53 AM	#1
TDB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Hockley TX Posts: 73	Cycling question My reef tank has been running a week and here is the results of testing PH 8.2 Nitrates 5.0 PPM Ammonia 2.0 PPM Temp 79 Salinity 1.024 I guess it is time for a water change ?

01/10/2015, 10:09 AM	#3
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Are you cycling with live fish? If so, yes do a water change to drop that ammonia for the sake of the fish. If your doing a fishless cycle (which I hope you are), than don't do anything but wait out the cycle __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

01/10/2015, 10:13 AM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	What Bill said. Good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

01/10/2015, 10:08 AM	#2
ReefKeep66 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: The great state of Georgia Posts: 549	What are your nitrites? Your need to wait until ammonia and nitrites are 0 and for the nitrate spike, after that you can do a 50% wc

01/10/2015, 10:24 AM	#5
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	And, you don't necessarily need to buy a nitrite test if you don't already have one. You simply test for ammonia and nitrate every week or so and wait until your ammonia tests "zero" for 2 successive test points, and your nitrate concentrations stabilize. At that point, you do a large water change (50% or more), or several smaller water changes to get your nitrates below 10 ppm, and slowly start introducing animals, starting with a clean-up crew (CUC).

01/10/2015, 10:51 AM	#8
TDB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Hockley TX Posts: 73	Nitrite 0.50 PPM