help with new tank

djmarcanjelo · 01/29/2009, 02:46 PM

so i got a new bc29g, live rock/sand started on saturday. and my levels are ph=7.8 ammonia=0.50 nitrite=5.0 nitrate=20, tested today. can someone tell me whats going on? how often should i test my levels? i also have 5 damsels bought yesterday which my LFS said i could get after they tested my water . now i dont know if i should have got them. any advice? thanks in advanced!

fender4string · 01/29/2009, 03:08 PM

Your tank is going through what's called the "cycle" (it's actually the nitrogen cycle) where bacteria in the rocks/substrate convert ammonia into nitrite and nitrite into nitrate. Usually the cycle takes 3-4 weeks but it can be quicken by using cured live rock (which is basically just rock that has been allowed to complete the cycle).

You're right about the fact that you should've waited on buying fish. You really shouldn't put any livestock in your tank until after the cycle is finished. Ammonia and the two nitrogen ions (though it's a matter of debate which nitogen ion is the bad one) are harmful to the fish and invertebrates we put in our tanks. While some people recommend or say it's ok to cycle a tank using hardy fish like damsels, the tank will cycle on it's own and by putting animals in the tank during the cycle it only causes them stress from toxic levels dissolved in the water.

It's a bump in the road but the damsels might ride it out. As you'll soon find out, some LFS don't give the best adivce either because they don't know enough or want to make a sale. Good luck! The last piece of advice is (and you'll hear this over and over again on here lol so I'll start the train

) take your time. The hobby requires a lot of patience. Also ask as many questions on here as you need to. This site has been very helpful to me. I'm pretty new to the hobby too

.

gnorts · 01/29/2009, 03:24 PM

To Reef Central

As for the 5 damsels that right there seems like alot of fish in a 29 cube even if you are trying to just use them to cycle. It will be hard to get them out later.

djmarcanjelo · 01/29/2009, 03:41 PM

yeah i think my LFS screwed me over. ill cont to monitor them. can anyone tell me if my levels are normal and if i need anything. has my ammonia spiked and i thought that my nitrate spike after the ammonia spikes. sorry if my questions are "newb-ish" . thanks in advance

mehaffydr · 01/29/2009, 04:09 PM

I would look for a different LFS if this is there advice. What Idiots. To tell you to put fish in a tank that is 3 days old. Also hopefully your ok with just damsels because anymore in that small tank it will be overloaded.
I would take those fish back to the store and wait for the tank to complete its cycle so not to subject those fish to this amonia.
Those levels or normal for a cycling tank but not for a tank that is ready for fish and other critters.
Amonia should be 0
Nitrite as close to 0 as possible
Nitrate Same

Yes after amonia spike the nitrates will also spike as the nitrite is reduced to nitrates.

No problem on nubish question. You are much better off asking here as no one here is trying to sell you something. and there is lots of good info to find on this site.

As for as needing anything. Good test kits so you can monitor this cycle would be a good start, Amonia,Nitrite and Nitate. Also test kits for PH, Clacium, Alk would be good for continued maintenance.

mmedeiros2 · 01/29/2009, 06:39 PM

After the cycle:
Ammonia should be 0 ppm
NITRITE should be 0 ppm
Nitrate will be on the high side.
Do a 50 % water change to bring down the nitrate levels.
Google the nitrogen cycle or mabey someone from this site can post a link for you.
In my opinion, you should do a lot of reading before you take your next step after the cycle. Start with understanding the cycle first.

01/29/2009, 02:46 PM	#1
djmarcanjelo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BAY AREA, CA Posts: 5	help with new tank so i got a new bc29g, live rock/sand started on saturday. and my levels are ph=7.8 ammonia=0.50 nitrite=5.0 nitrate=20, tested today. can someone tell me whats going on? how often should i test my levels? i also have 5 damsels bought yesterday which my LFS said i could get after they tested my water . now i dont know if i should have got them. any advice? thanks in advanced!

01/29/2009, 06:39 PM	#6
mmedeiros2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dartmouth, Ma. Posts: 452	After the cycle: Ammonia should be 0 ppm NITRITE should be 0 ppm Nitrate will be on the high side. Do a 50 % water change to bring down the nitrate levels. Google the nitrogen cycle or mabey someone from this site can post a link for you. In my opinion, you should do a lot of reading before you take your next step after the cycle. Start with understanding the cycle first. __________________ One must always be aware for the unexpected. Mike Current Tank Info: 75 gal. / Sump / Skimmer / 65 Lbs. LR / 2 Cleaner Shrimp / Firefish / Bangi Cardinal / Pearly Jawfish / 3 - Yellow Clown Gobies / Yellow Wrasse / Hermits

01/29/2009, 03:08 PM	#2
fender4string Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,550	Your tank is going through what's called the "cycle" (it's actually the nitrogen cycle) where bacteria in the rocks/substrate convert ammonia into nitrite and nitrite into nitrate. Usually the cycle takes 3-4 weeks but it can be quicken by using cured live rock (which is basically just rock that has been allowed to complete the cycle). You're right about the fact that you should've waited on buying fish. You really shouldn't put any livestock in your tank until after the cycle is finished. Ammonia and the two nitrogen ions (though it's a matter of debate which nitogen ion is the bad one) are harmful to the fish and invertebrates we put in our tanks. While some people recommend or say it's ok to cycle a tank using hardy fish like damsels, the tank will cycle on it's own and by putting animals in the tank during the cycle it only causes them stress from toxic levels dissolved in the water. It's a bump in the road but the damsels might ride it out. As you'll soon find out, some LFS don't give the best adivce either because they don't know enough or want to make a sale. Good luck! The last piece of advice is (and you'll hear this over and over again on here lol so I'll start the train ) take your time. The hobby requires a lot of patience. Also ask as many questions on here as you need to. This site has been very helpful to me. I'm pretty new to the hobby too .

01/29/2009, 03:24 PM	#3
gnorts Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 308	*To Reef Central* As for the 5 damsels that right there seems like alot of fish in a 29 cube even if you are trying to just use them to cycle. It will be hard to get them out later.

01/29/2009, 03:41 PM	#4
djmarcanjelo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BAY AREA, CA Posts: 5	yeah i think my LFS screwed me over. ill cont to monitor them. can anyone tell me if my levels are normal and if i need anything. has my ammonia spiked and i thought that my nitrate spike after the ammonia spikes. sorry if my questions are "newb-ish" . thanks in advance

01/29/2009, 04:09 PM	#5
mehaffydr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville AL. Posts: 144	I would look for a different LFS if this is there advice. What Idiots. To tell you to put fish in a tank that is 3 days old. Also hopefully your ok with just damsels because anymore in that small tank it will be overloaded. I would take those fish back to the store and wait for the tank to complete its cycle so not to subject those fish to this amonia. Those levels or normal for a cycling tank but not for a tank that is ready for fish and other critters. Amonia should be 0 Nitrite as close to 0 as possible Nitrate Same Yes after amonia spike the nitrates will also spike as the nitrite is reduced to nitrates. No problem on nubish question. You are much better off asking here as no one here is trying to sell you something. and there is lots of good info to find on this site. As for as needing anything. Good test kits so you can monitor this cycle would be a good start, Amonia,Nitrite and Nitate. Also test kits for PH, Clacium, Alk would be good for continued maintenance.