My water params during cycle

evoi19 · 10/08/2010, 05:12 PM

Hi,

So i'm on day 4 of my cycle and tested the water and I'm wondering if this is normal.

My tank:
100gal + 30gal sump
120lbs live sand
90lbs +/- of LR from live aquaria
Haven't turned the lights on
Skimmer running
No water changes

API test kit:
Ph: 8.0
ammonia: 8ppm
Nitrite: 2ppm
Nitrate: 20ppm

I know the ammonia is expected but how about the nitrites and nitrates?

djkms · 10/08/2010, 05:20 PM

I have almost the exact same setup as you. Live rock from live aquaria and my tank cycled in 12 days. Ammonia went through the roof and dropped real fast. I had trates during my cycle I think on day 5.

Also test your fresh saltwater for trates, 20 seems high 4 days in.

Sent from my drooooooid.

Percula9 · 10/08/2010, 05:25 PM

It should be fine. How are you cycling the tank? The ammonia should drop soon. Nitrite will probably go higher and then finally drop. Just let the tank do its thing. Nitrite sometimes gives a false nitrate reading.

evoi19 · 10/08/2010, 05:38 PM

I'm cycling it with everything on except the lights. No water changes. Have a mag 12 running as the return and 2 tunze turbelle 6045 for flow. Skimmer is a PM redline 125.

I guess I just need to be more patient. lol I come from work and check everything out. Wake up in the morning and check it again. My gf is wonders why I'm staring at rock. Haha

Percula9 · 10/08/2010, 09:12 PM

Are you cycling with uncured rock or a piece of shrimp or putting in ammonia directly?

evoi19 · 10/08/2010, 09:29 PM

Neither of those. I thought I didn't have to since Im using live rock and live sand.

Percula9 · 10/08/2010, 09:48 PM

What ever was left on the rock is decaying and causing the cycle. Your live rock must have been somewhat uncured. There is no such thing as instant cycling. There are only levels. There has to be the input of ammonia to feed the nitrifying bacteria. When there are fish in your tank they are the source of the ammonia. When a tank has enough bacteria, those bacteria convert the ammonia and nitrites so rapidly to nitrates they can't be measured any more.

10/08/2010, 05:12 PM	#1
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	My water params during cycle Hi, So i'm on day 4 of my cycle and tested the water and I'm wondering if this is normal. My tank: 100gal + 30gal sump 120lbs live sand 90lbs +/- of LR from live aquaria Haven't turned the lights on Skimmer running No water changes API test kit: Ph: 8.0 ammonia: 8ppm Nitrite: 2ppm Nitrate: 20ppm I know the ammonia is expected but how about the nitrites and nitrates?

10/08/2010, 05:20 PM	#2
djkms Fish Freak Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 1,136	I have almost the exact same setup as you. Live rock from live aquaria and my tank cycled in 12 days. Ammonia went through the roof and dropped real fast. I had trates during my cycle I think on day 5. Also test your fresh saltwater for trates, 20 seems high 4 days in. Sent from my drooooooid. __________________ Kris - 200 Gallon Baby Reef Current Tank Info: 225 Upgrade Setup 11/17/2012 72x27x27 - Custom 40g sump/Diablo DCS-250int skimmer/Blueline HD40x/2 MP40's/Tunze ATO/2 Part/BRS RODI/ Neptune apex, WXM/3 Radium 250w Galaxy Ballast/8 39w T5's/Litermeter III/Aquavitro Salinity/20%WC/Carbon/GFO/Vinegar

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10/08/2010, 05:25 PM	#3
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	It should be fine. How are you cycling the tank? The ammonia should drop soon. Nitrite will probably go higher and then finally drop. Just let the tank do its thing. Nitrite sometimes gives a false nitrate reading.

10/08/2010, 05:38 PM	#4
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	I'm cycling it with everything on except the lights. No water changes. Have a mag 12 running as the return and 2 tunze turbelle 6045 for flow. Skimmer is a PM redline 125. I guess I just need to be more patient. lol I come from work and check everything out. Wake up in the morning and check it again. My gf is wonders why I'm staring at rock. Haha

10/08/2010, 09:12 PM	#5
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Are you cycling with uncured rock or a piece of shrimp or putting in ammonia directly?

10/08/2010, 09:29 PM	#6
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	Neither of those. I thought I didn't have to since Im using live rock and live sand.

10/08/2010, 09:48 PM	#7
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	What ever was left on the rock is decaying and causing the cycle. Your live rock must have been somewhat uncured. There is no such thing as instant cycling. There are only levels. There has to be the input of ammonia to feed the nitrifying bacteria. When there are fish in your tank they are the source of the ammonia. When a tank has enough bacteria, those bacteria convert the ammonia and nitrites so rapidly to nitrates they can't be measured any more.