These tests are all over the map!

[Martini5788]

That's frustrating. Welcome to cycling , it's a pain but totally worth it. Test in a few days and see what it says.

[ibrat82]

So the waiting did pay off. Thanks to all those that kept saying be patient. My Nitrites are at .50 so dropped pretty fast over night. I'll wait until they are zero before testing nitrates. So once i detect nitrates and if they seem to be over 20ppm i would just do a water change to bring them between 0-20ppm right? Should i test the tank by putting in food or ammonia to see if it converts ammonia to nitrite to nitrates?

Originally Posted by Martini5788

That's frustrating. Welcome to cycling , it's a pain but totally worth it. Test in a few days and see what it says.

[ibrat82]

also would i have to ghost feed the tank until im ready to add fish?

[ReefWreak]

Originally Posted by ibrat82

So the waiting did pay off. Thanks to all those that kept saying be patient. My Nitrites are at .50 so dropped pretty fast over night. I'll wait until they are zero before testing nitrates. So once i detect nitrates and if they seem to be over 20ppm i would just do a water change to bring them between 0-20ppm right?

Yes.

Originally Posted by ibrat82

Should i test the tank by putting in food or ammonia to see if it converts ammonia to nitrite to nitrates?

No.

Originally Posted by ibrat82

also would i have to ghost feed the tank until im ready to add fish?

No.

You should prepare for the incoming algae storm, and be ready to start adding your clean up crew once you lower your nitrates to reasonable levels.

Once the clean up crew starts eating the algae that has grown from your cycle, they will be releasing it back as ammonia again, and the cycle continues. You'll want to be switching to regular interval water changes now, whatever your preferred interval is (10% per week, 20% per two weeks, 20% per month, etc). That will lower nitrates over time.

A good way to think about the cycle, and your aquarium in general, is that it's all a closed box. What goes in (ammonia to start the cycle, fish food, etc) must come out (as fish growth/mass, coral growth/mass, algae growth/mass, or if it is dissolved in the water column as nitrates it comes out in water changes).

Take your time, slow down, don't second guess. Good things happen slowly, bad things happen quickly.

[ibrat82]

Should I expect an "algae storm" even if I'm using a gfo reactor? I've been running it for 22 days since the cycle began and just today it looks like it's finally cycled. I haven't seen any algae growth yet. I'm only using dry rock and haven't turned my lights on at all. Kept the tank away from any lights. My understanding is I won't see any brown algae grow for a couple more weeks, months. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

After I bring my nitrates down as they seem pretty high 40-80ppm depending on which test kit I'm using, should I introduce 1-2 fish and a cuc, not one for algae since I don't have any but for dealing with fish food, poop etc ?

Originally Posted by ReefWreak

Yes.



No.



No.

You should prepare for the incoming algae storm, and be ready to start adding your clean up crew once you lower your nitrates to reasonable levels.

Once the clean up crew starts eating the algae that has grown from your cycle, they will be releasing it back as ammonia again, and the cycle continues. You'll want to be switching to regular interval water changes now, whatever your preferred interval is (10% per week, 20% per two weeks, 20% per month, etc). That will lower nitrates over time.

A good way to think about the cycle, and your aquarium in general, is that it's all a closed box. What goes in (ammonia to start the cycle, fish food, etc) must come out (as fish growth/mass, coral growth/mass, algae growth/mass, or if it is dissolved in the water column as nitrates it comes out in water changes).

Take your time, slow down, don't second guess. Good things happen slowly, bad things happen quickly.

[ibrat82]

Anyone?

Originally Posted by ibrat82

Should I expect an "algae storm" even if I'm using a gfo reactor? I've been running it for 22 days since the cycle began and just today it looks like it's finally cycled. I haven't seen any algae growth yet. I'm only using dry rock and haven't turned my lights on at all. Kept the tank away from any lights. My understanding is I won't see any brown algae grow for a couple more weeks, months. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

After I bring my nitrates down as they seem pretty high 40-80ppm depending on which test kit I'm using, should I introduce 1-2 fish and a cuc, not one for algae since I don't have any but for dealing with fish food, poop etc ?

[Dkuhlmann]

I don't know why you're trying so hard to try and prevent the process of tank maturing. You're going to get the algae and uglies no mater what you do. Just go ahead and run your lights and get it over with. Some of the things you'll try and do to prevent the algae outbreaks will also fuel cyano bacteria, ie vodka or sugar dosing to lower nitrates. Just let it happen starting with the diatom bloom and on to GHA and eventually coralline. It's going to happen, if not now then when you do finally turn your lights on for your tank inhabitants. Once your tank has fully matured you will have denitrifying bacteria that will lower the nitrates for you, but that takes time.

Do a big wc to lower your nitrates to the 20ppm range and add a cuc as soon as you see the algae bloom start. Don't over buy cuc as once your tank is under control they'll die off to sustainable levels. After your cuc has been in for say 2 weeks or so then add one or two fish. If you plan on having clowns this is the time IMO to add a small pair of your favorite ones. Then wait at least 2-4 weeks before adding the next fish. Add fish from least aggressive to most aggressive.