Introduction/Cycling Question

SteppingStones · 08/22/2013, 03:37 PM

I've recently set up my first saltwater tank, a 27g cube, and its been set up for around a month and cycling for around 2-3 weeks. I went with a Fluval 206 canister filter just for the initial set up and I hope so move to an overflow/sump set up in a few months. I have around 20 lbs of LR (planning to get more) and medium depth sand bed (2in). I cycled with 2 deli shrimp and I'm sure I had a decent amount of die off from the LR. Right now, I think my tank is nearing the end of its cycle but i do have a few questions. My tank parameters are as followed:
Ammonia:0ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:100ppm
(via Salifert test kits)

My ammonia and nitrites have been at zero for a few days. Is my tank actually nearing the end of a cycle, or will the nitrates spike down to 0? I know that they are usually lowered by a water change, so is that necessary at this point? Or should I wait a bit longer to let things take its course?

Thanks,
Sam

Brianmil7516 · 08/22/2013, 04:07 PM

i would do a 20% water change and test again in a few day. If Ammonia and Nitirite stay at 0, your cycle is done... do you have anything in QT waiting to be added???

SteppingStones · 08/22/2013, 05:48 PM

Nothing as of yet, I have the QT set up but I haven't got anything to fill it lol. I'll probably get a CUC, and then get my first fish for the QT.

Lynxone · 08/22/2013, 10:00 PM

I would do a 20% water change and clean that canister to try and lower your nitrates. If that's successful and your ammonia and nitrites stay at zero, you're probably ok to start with adding some cuc. You will be struggling to keep those nitrates down with a canister filter if you don't keep it clean.

SteppingStones · 08/23/2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynxone

I would do a 20% water change and clean that canister to try and lower your nitrates. If that's successful and your ammonia and nitrites stay at zero, you're probably ok to start with adding some cuc. You will be struggling to keep those nitrates down with a canister filter if you don't keep it clean.

Thanks, I'll definitely be cleaning the canister weekly or bi-weekly until I set up the overflow/sump. I'll do a water change soon and post updates.

miah2bzy · 08/24/2013, 07:15 AM

I would get the overflow/sump setup soon, they're easier to handle than having to clean the canister filter weekly/biweekly - do you have some check valves in place on your so you can shut off water flow into the canister before you open it up?

SteppingStones · 09/04/2013, 05:47 PM

Well, I did a 20% water change on Saturday, and I just tested it again. My nitrates are still amazing high (100ppm via Salifert). I just did another water change today, and I hope it helps lower them. I also cleaned the canister filter Saturday as well. I'm starting to wonder if I have a bad test kit, or if they're reading accurately. Any advice? Still no livestock in the tank, what could be the source of the nitrate boom?

Fizz71 · 09/05/2013, 02:13 PM

I don't think you have a "nitrate bloom" going on actively....you just had a lot of ammonia going in so you have a lot of nitrate coming out. Until you get your nitrates "reset" you won't know if there is something in there still producing them (like something still rotting).

With nothing else in the tank but rock I'd probably do a 50% water change and see what it gets you. I'd also get a second opinion on the nitrates...you can try by testing your water change water before putting it in...it better be 0.

SteppingStones · 09/06/2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizz71

I don't think you have a "nitrate bloom" going on actively....you just had a lot of ammonia going in so you have a lot of nitrate coming out. Until you get your nitrates "reset" you won't know if there is something in there still producing them (like something still rotting).

With nothing else in the tank but rock I'd probably do a 50% water change and see what it gets you. I'd also get a second opinion on the nitrates...you can try by testing your water change water before putting it in...it better be 0.

Well it looks like my test kits are accurate. I tested my water before adding it to the tank and it read 0. I'll continue doing water changes and hopefully I can control my nitrates and/or set up a more frequent water change routine. I'll have to cure my new LR a little more before adding it to the tank to prevent any other issues. Thanks everyone

ravensix · 09/06/2013, 02:14 PM

I would get rid of the cansiter filter. That is what is most like is causing your nitrate issues. Unless you clean everyday you will keep having issues. I would covert over to a sump as soon as possible.

SteppingStones · 09/07/2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensix

I would get rid of the cansiter filter. That is what is most like is causing your nitrate issues. Unless you clean everyday you will keep having issues. I would covert over to a sump as soon as possible.

Thats definitely the plan. I've got to wait a little before I can get the overflow, but i just picked up a 20H for a sump. Any recommendations for a return pump or skimmer? I might have better luck for that topic in the nano section

08/22/2013, 03:37 PM	#1
SteppingStones Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 16	Introduction/Cycling Question I've recently set up my first saltwater tank, a 27g cube, and its been set up for around a month and cycling for around 2-3 weeks. I went with a Fluval 206 canister filter just for the initial set up and I hope so move to an overflow/sump set up in a few months. I have around 20 lbs of LR (planning to get more) and medium depth sand bed (2in). I cycled with 2 deli shrimp and I'm sure I had a decent amount of die off from the LR. Right now, I think my tank is nearing the end of its cycle but i do have a few questions. My tank parameters are as followed: Ammonia:0ppm Nitrite:0ppm Nitrate:100ppm (via Salifert test kits) My ammonia and nitrites have been at zero for a few days. Is my tank actually nearing the end of a cycle, or will the nitrates spike down to 0? I know that they are usually lowered by a water change, so is that necessary at this point? Or should I wait a bit longer to let things take its course? Thanks, Sam

09/04/2013, 05:47 PM	#7
SteppingStones Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 16	Update Well, I did a 20% water change on Saturday, and I just tested it again. My nitrates are still amazing high (100ppm via Salifert). I just did another water change today, and I hope it helps lower them. I also cleaned the canister filter Saturday as well. I'm starting to wonder if I have a bad test kit, or if they're reading accurately. Any advice? Still no livestock in the tank, what could be the source of the nitrate boom?

09/05/2013, 02:13 PM	#8
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I don't think you have a "nitrate bloom" going on actively....you just had a lot of ammonia going in so you have a lot of nitrate coming out. Until you get your nitrates "reset" you won't know if there is something in there still producing them (like something still rotting). With nothing else in the tank but rock I'd probably do a 50% water change and see what it gets you. I'd also get a second opinion on the nitrates...you can try by testing your water change water before putting it in...it better be 0. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

08/22/2013, 04:07 PM	#2
Brianmil7516 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 36	i would do a 20% water change and test again in a few day. If Ammonia and Nitirite stay at 0, your cycle is done... do you have anything in QT waiting to be added???

08/22/2013, 05:48 PM	#3
SteppingStones Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 16	Nothing as of yet, I have the QT set up but I haven't got anything to fill it lol. I'll probably get a CUC, and then get my first fish for the QT.

08/22/2013, 10:00 PM	#4
Lynxone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 251	I would do a 20% water change and clean that canister to try and lower your nitrates. If that's successful and your ammonia and nitrites stay at zero, you're probably ok to start with adding some cuc. You will be struggling to keep those nitrates down with a canister filter if you don't keep it clean.

08/24/2013, 07:15 AM	#6
miah2bzy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 87	I would get the overflow/sump setup soon, they're easier to handle than having to clean the canister filter weekly/biweekly - do you have some check valves in place on your so you can shut off water flow into the canister before you open it up?

09/06/2013, 02:14 PM	#10
ravensix Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: FL Posts: 10	I would get rid of the cansiter filter. That is what is most like is causing your nitrate issues. Unless you clean everyday you will keep having issues. I would covert over to a sump as soon as possible.