Normal water perameters during cycle?

billaweed · 12/27/2017, 11:32 PM

I just started my 2nd tank after 9 years only 1 week ago. Using my API MASTER test kit from 9 yrs ago i decided to test tbe water. My numbers are as follows

Ammonia: 0.50ppm
Nitrate: 15ppm
Ph: 7.8-8.0
Nitrite: 0.25
Calcium: 300 (roughly)

I used a bio start in the water when i started the tank to help the cycle and today i put a damsel in the tank.

With the exception of the ph and calcium, These numbers are too high in my opinion, but ive never tested during a cycle. So my question is, could my test kit be old throwing me bad numbers? Or are these numbers normal during tank cycling?

Thanks

mcgyvr · 12/28/2017, 06:31 AM

Those numbers may be just fine depending on where you are in the cycle..but your cal is a bit low not that you really need to worry at this time and why would you add a fish thinking numbers are off?... Ammonia is toxic and while people used to use the damsel method is not really used anymore as its kind of cruel to put a living creature into potentially toxic water..you might want to slow down and go learn about the basics again

billaweed · 12/28/2017, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Those numbers may be just fine depending on where you are in the cycle..but your cal is a bit low not that you really need to worry at this time and why would you add a fish thinking numbers are off?... Ammonia is toxic and while people used to use the damsel method is not really used anymore as its kind of cruel to put a living creature into potentially toxic water..you might want to slow down and go learn about the basics again

So what it came down too was, my wife surprised me with a damsel when she got home from work. So it was either the tank or the toilet. Closest lfs is a ways away. It wasnt till after that that i checked the water.

Anyway, do test kits have experation dates? I figured the calcium would be higher since im using Instant Ocean and theyre usually a bit higher.

sde1500 · 12/28/2017, 06:53 AM

Also wouldn't hurt to get a new test kit. Not sure I'd trust one that is 9 years old.

12/27/2017, 11:32 PM	#1
billaweed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 45	Normal water perameters during cycle? I just started my 2nd tank after 9 years only 1 week ago. Using my API MASTER test kit from 9 yrs ago i decided to test tbe water. My numbers are as follows Ammonia: 0.50ppm Nitrate: 15ppm Ph: 7.8-8.0 Nitrite: 0.25 Calcium: 300 (roughly) I used a bio start in the water when i started the tank to help the cycle and today i put a damsel in the tank. With the exception of the ph and calcium, These numbers are too high in my opinion, but ive never tested during a cycle. So my question is, could my test kit be old throwing me bad numbers? Or are these numbers normal during tank cycling? Thanks

12/28/2017, 06:31 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Those numbers may be just fine depending on where you are in the cycle..but your cal is a bit low not that you really need to worry at this time and why would you add a fish thinking numbers are off?... Ammonia is toxic and while people used to use the damsel method is not really used anymore as its kind of cruel to put a living creature into potentially toxic water..you might want to slow down and go learn about the basics again __________________ Who me?

12/28/2017, 06:53 AM	#4
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Also wouldn't hurt to get a new test kit. Not sure I'd trust one that is 9 years old. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.