More cycling problems

jsteinmeyer · 10/19/2012, 05:12 PM

Entering my 6th week of cycling, I've noticed a drop in my pH (From 8.2 to 7.8). And now, just got my Red Sea test kit, and noticed that my Calcium is around 300 ppm (WAYYY low) and Alkalinity around 6 dkh. I'm just flabbergasted and at a loss of words and fixes. My nitrites have been sky high for 2 weeks or more yet my ammonia stays around 0 ppm, which is the only positive I have to hang my hat on.

Should I be worried about the pH drop or the extremely low levels of calcium and alkalinity, as well as the high nitrites (Close to 5 ppm)???

Tank specs/background info: I'm using RO/DI water, Red Sea Coral Pro salt at 1.023, 55 gallon tank, 50 lbs dead, base rock, 40 lbs aragonite, Reef octo skimmer has been on for duration of cycle. Also performed a 40% water change (Big mistake, from what I've heard) at the urging of my LFS (Never going back). Even began cycle by seeding with Dr. Tim's One and Only (Crap).

PLEASE HELP!!!

disc1 · 10/19/2012, 05:42 PM

Try getting the salinity up to 1.026. If your salinity is low then everything else will be low too.

I wouldn't sweat the calcium and alk while the tank is cycling, but you'll want to correct it when you start to add corals.

The nitrates aren't that high, I wouldn't worry about that too much just yet either.

The pH may be a product of the cycle getting started. It is often hard to tell. Otherwise the problem is dissolved CO2 and the answer is fresh air.

hollister · 10/19/2012, 07:15 PM

After 6 weeks u should be cycled. PH needs to be tested in the morning and around the same time. And PH and ALK may run a little low as your tank matures.

A 20% water change should help calcium and nitrate readings. But a 40% may cause a mini cycle.

sporto0 · 10/19/2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollister

After 6 weeks u should be cycled. PH needs to be tested in the morning and around the same time. And PH and ALK may run a little low as your tank matures.

A 20% water change should help calcium and nitrate readings. But a 40% may cause a mini cycle.

HUH????? 40% water change WILL NOT cause a "mini" cycle which in fact is a misnomer to begin with. Disc 1 has it nailed down solid, sometimes it does take longer to cycle, Dr. Tim's is a scam & the fact you have Nitrites & no ammonia is just reassurance the cycle is in progress, check the expiration on your test kit, sometimes the presence of nitrates will trick your test into reading Nitrites, perhaps a second opinion from your LFS test kit would be in order. Good luck & hang in there, 6 weeks is nothing compared to a lifetime of a healthy, happy tank.

hollister · 10/19/2012, 08:26 PM

I said could cause a mini cycle or extend it. Could stress new bio load and cause die off , which would extend cycle.
Six weeks kinda long or diffenatally on the high end of a cycle time.

sporto0 · 10/19/2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollister

I said could cause a mini cycle or extend it. Could stress new bio load and cause die off , which would extend cycle.
Six weeks kinda long or diffenatally on the high end of a cycle time.

Again, no it couldn't in either case. Colonizing bacteria are not free floating in the water column & fresh salt water does not stress the inhabitants or bio chemistry, a common misnomer.

MinnFish · 10/19/2012, 08:44 PM

If, Dr. Tim is snake oil. I haven't tried it, but I did researched it. I'm not a fan of quick fixes in a bottle. Anyhoo, u will need some LR (shrimp, ammonia dosing, etc) to seed and start a cycle. Turn the skimmer off, u have nothing to skim. Run your lights at about 6 to 8 HRS. Test water daily. U have the rest of the story by now. Good luck.

10/19/2012, 05:12 PM	#1
jsteinmeyer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 32	More cycling problems Entering my 6th week of cycling, I've noticed a drop in my pH (From 8.2 to 7.8). And now, just got my Red Sea test kit, and noticed that my Calcium is around 300 ppm (WAYYY low) and Alkalinity around 6 dkh. I'm just flabbergasted and at a loss of words and fixes. My nitrites have been sky high for 2 weeks or more yet my ammonia stays around 0 ppm, which is the only positive I have to hang my hat on. Should I be worried about the pH drop or the extremely low levels of calcium and alkalinity, as well as the high nitrites (Close to 5 ppm)??? Tank specs/background info: I'm using RO/DI water, Red Sea Coral Pro salt at 1.023, 55 gallon tank, 50 lbs dead, base rock, 40 lbs aragonite, Reef octo skimmer has been on for duration of cycle. Also performed a 40% water change (Big mistake, from what I've heard) at the urging of my LFS (Never going back). Even began cycle by seeding with Dr. Tim's One and Only (Crap). PLEASE HELP!!!

10/19/2012, 05:42 PM	#2
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Try getting the salinity up to 1.026. If your salinity is low then everything else will be low too. I wouldn't sweat the calcium and alk while the tank is cycling, but you'll want to correct it when you start to add corals. The nitrates aren't that high, I wouldn't worry about that too much just yet either. The pH may be a product of the cycle getting started. It is often hard to tell. Otherwise the problem is dissolved CO2 and the answer is fresh air. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

10/19/2012, 07:15 PM	#3
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	After 6 weeks u should be cycled. PH needs to be tested in the morning and around the same time. And PH and ALK may run a little low as your tank matures. A 20% water change should help calcium and nitrate readings. But a 40% may cause a mini cycle.

10/19/2012, 08:26 PM	#5
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	I said could cause a mini cycle or extend it. Could stress new bio load and cause die off , which would extend cycle. Six weeks kinda long or diffenatally on the high end of a cycle time.

10/19/2012, 08:44 PM	#7
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	If, Dr. Tim is snake oil. I haven't tried it, but I did researched it. I'm not a fan of quick fixes in a bottle. Anyhoo, u will need some LR (shrimp, ammonia dosing, etc) to seed and start a cycle. Turn the skimmer off, u have nothing to skim. Run your lights at about 6 to 8 HRS. Test water daily. U have the rest of the story by now. Good luck.