Cycling Question....Confused

Zoregon · 08/14/2016, 12:20 PM

Finished first week of cycling on 180g. Have 50lbs LR and 60lbs live sand. The rest is dry rock and sand.

Using the Red Sea tests and have a question.

My Ammonia and Nitrites are both literally 'off the charts' as they are darker than the highest colours on the tests. My Nitrates are minimal.

Ammonia - 2.0+ (dark blue/green)
Nitrite - 1.0 +(turned very dark pink almost immediately)
Nitrate - 2.0 (very light pink)
PH - 8.2
Water temp - 77.9

I'm just a little confused as I was expecting an ammonia spike and then a nitrite spike whereas they are both very very high.

Should I ghost feed a small amount as well or just keep on keepin on?

hkgar · 08/14/2016, 12:28 PM

Your tank is in the process of cycling and it can take some time. Everyone, me included, wants to add that first fish and get started. It can take a few weeks.

Rule number one for reefing: Go slow!
Rule number two: Go slower than what you think rule one means.

Nothing good happens in reefing if you go too fast. Ever.

gone fishin · 08/14/2016, 12:34 PM

Since you used 50 lb's of LR it is possible that you would show ammonia and nitrites. Just wait for both to be gone. I would not bother checking nitrates until the nitrites are gone. It is possible that the nitrate test will give a false reading with the nitrites present. good luck just my 2 cents.

CarrieB · 08/14/2016, 02:34 PM

Sounds like you had a fair amount of die-off/ organic waste that is too much for the existing bacterial population to process. It is trying however, hence the ammonia and nitrite. Was the LR shipped from somewhere?

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Zoregon · 08/14/2016, 02:39 PM

So this is normal? Do nothing just test every few days to see where I'm at?

I understand this takes 4-6 weeks. Just want to make sure I'm doing it right.

Yes the rock was cured and shipped via overnight courier. I rinsed in Rodi and put in tank.

MyReefXperience · 08/14/2016, 02:45 PM

Yep, just test everyweek. I recommend you to trace a graphic with the data of the tests' results. Is more visual like that.

Then just wait to have good values on ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate... and that's all the secret. Just patiente and monitoring your system.

Ron Reefman · 08/14/2016, 05:09 PM

I'd test every 2 or 3 days. Eventually the ammonia level will go down and then the nirite will as the nitrate goes up.

anthonys51 · 08/14/2016, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoregon

So this is normal? Do nothing just test every few days to see where I'm at?

I understand this takes 4-6 weeks. Just want to make sure I'm doing it right.

Yes the rock was cured and shipped via overnight courier. I rinsed in Rodi and put in tank.

you arent suppose to rinse your live rock in freshwater rodi. you basically killed off all the live bacteria.

if you get cured live rock and arent feeding your tank you really shouldnt see a spike in ammonia and nitrite.

anthonys51 · 08/14/2016, 07:04 PM

i have cycled many tanks. it doesnt have to be hard or a chemistry experiment.

i buy cured live rock add to tank. add clean up crew in next few days. then add a few corals every few days or so and i dont feed my tank or add fish for 3 months. but yes i do add corals lps and even monti caps in first 3 months. i dont see the point in ghost feeding or adding pure ammonia. why would i want to build up nirtaues in my tank, yes water changes can get them out, but i dont want them in at all.
i wait 3 months before i add fish, only because fish and feeding fish are going to produce the most waste and cause the tank to be unstable the fastest. i never test for nitrite or ammonia. dont see the point. it has worked for me and i never had a tank have cryno outbreak or GHA or anything. not saying this is the only way. just find it easy. i hate testing and only think i test for is alk,cal and mag.

Zoregon · 08/14/2016, 07:19 PM

I rinsed the rock in Saltwater Rodi. Just a bit to get the worst off.

So you're saying that I should start adding my clean up crew? With my levels so high won't they die?

anthonys51 · 08/14/2016, 08:16 PM

If you used cured live rock. Why are your levels so high after a week Did you add anything else

Are you sure the rock was cured. Where you buy it from. I normally just go to lfs and buy some good live rock.

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Green Chromis · 08/15/2016, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoregon

I rinsed the rock in Saltwater Rodi. Just a bit to get the worst off.

So you're saying that I should start adding my clean up crew? With my levels so high won't they die?

Do not add anything to your tank with your readings that high, wait for all your parameters to become normal. With you using cured rock, all your readings should be normal, or slightly elevated, so something must be wrong, with your readings being so high. Continue to test your system until your readings become normal, do a water change or two, then you can add a small clean up crew, and maybe a hardy coral or two, then wait a few months before you start adding fish. Go slow, enjoy all the life on your live rock. One more thing go slow, nothing good happens in this hobby when you are in a hurry.

anthonys51 · 08/15/2016, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Chromis

Do not add anything to your tank with your readings that high, wait for all your parameters to become normal. With you using cured rock, all your readings should be normal, or slightly elevated, so something must be wrong, with your readings being so high. Continue to test your system until your readings become normal, do a water change or two, then you can add a small clean up crew, and maybe a hardy coral or two, then wait a few months before you start adding fish. Go slow, enjoy all the life on your live rock. One more thing go slow, nothing good happens in this hobby when you are in a hurry.

I agree. Don't add anything until your levels come down. Maybe the rock you have still has a lot of die off on it. But I would just wait a week and test of levels are done do as me and chromis says

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Zoregon · 08/15/2016, 03:34 PM

Thank you. I suspect the rock was not as cured as it should have been. Some of it looks 'rusty' which is weird but it does have some nice coralline on it.

I did test today and ammonia has gone down, nitrite and nitrate are both significantly higher.

Will just leave her to sit for awhile and see where I'm at. No rush to add livestock, still trying to decide on lights.......currently using an old 48" coralife just so I can have something on in the interim.

anthonys51 · 08/16/2016, 01:30 PM

i just wouldnt add fish until the coral and coralline algae starts growing. i like to give the tank time to fully cycle in before i add fish (aka phosphate machines)

Tanthaitrung · 08/16/2016, 07:18 PM

The cycle can be shortened by adding nitrifying bacteria (API QUICK START)?

fishchef · 08/16/2016, 07:25 PM

I read that there's a test for individuals who have never had a SW system before. I helps prevent the loss of life in reef systems. Can you point me towards this?

Tanthaitrung · 08/16/2016, 07:41 PM

Is this the one that you are looking for? Or I misunderstand?

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/ap...aster-test-kit

Khanh

Zoregon · 08/24/2016, 10:57 AM

So I was at ammonia 0, nitrite 0 & Nitrate 20.

Was considering doing my w/c and possibly adding some form of life but it didn't feel right. So I 'ghost fed' a small amount of brine shrimp for two days.

Now I'm at ammonia .2, nitrite .05 & Nitrate 20. Does this mean I am not cycled? I don't want to put anything in this tank until I'm sure.

thegrun · 08/24/2016, 11:14 AM

If you have any ammonia or nitrites your tank is not cycled.

Zoregon · 08/24/2016, 11:18 AM

Well....crap that's what I thought. Should I continue ghost feeding a small amount daily or leave it be? Thanks

nereefpat · 08/24/2016, 11:28 AM

Probably no need to ghost feed.

How long has the tank been cycling? When cured live rock is shipped, it is no longer cured, since there is die off.

08/14/2016, 12:20 PM	#1
Zoregon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 83	Cycling Question....Confused Finished first week of cycling on 180g. Have 50lbs LR and 60lbs live sand. The rest is dry rock and sand. Using the Red Sea tests and have a question. My Ammonia and Nitrites are both literally 'off the charts' as they are darker than the highest colours on the tests. My Nitrates are minimal. Ammonia - 2.0+ (dark blue/green) Nitrite - 1.0 +(turned very dark pink almost immediately) Nitrate - 2.0 (very light pink) PH - 8.2 Water temp - 77.9 I'm just a little confused as I was expecting an ammonia spike and then a nitrite spike whereas they are both very very high. Should I ghost feed a small amount as well or just keep on keepin on?

08/14/2016, 12:28 PM	#2
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Your tank is in the process of cycling and it can take some time. Everyone, me included, wants to add that first fish and get started. It can take a few weeks. Rule number one for reefing: Go slow! Rule number two: Go slower than what you think rule one means. Nothing good happens in reefing if you go too fast. Ever. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

08/14/2016, 12:34 PM	#3
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Since you used 50 lb's of LR it is possible that you would show ammonia and nitrites. Just wait for both to be gone. I would not bother checking nitrates until the nitrites are gone. It is possible that the nitrate test will give a false reading with the nitrites present. good luck just my 2 cents. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

08/14/2016, 02:39 PM	#5
Zoregon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 83	So this is normal? Do nothing just test every few days to see where I'm at? I understand this takes 4-6 weeks. Just want to make sure I'm doing it right. Yes the rock was cured and shipped via overnight courier. I rinsed in Rodi and put in tank. Last edited by Zoregon; 08/14/2016 at 02:47 PM.

08/14/2016, 05:09 PM	#7
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I'd test every 2 or 3 days. Eventually the ammonia level will go down and then the nirite will as the nitrate goes up. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/14/2016, 02:34 PM	#4
CarrieB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 526	Sounds like you had a fair amount of die-off/ organic waste that is too much for the existing bacterial population to process. It is trying however, hence the ammonia and nitrite. Was the LR shipped from somewhere? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/14/2016, 02:45 PM	#6
MyReefXperience Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 18	Yep, just test everyweek. I recommend you to trace a graphic with the data of the tests' results. Is more visual like that. Then just wait to have good values on ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate... and that's all the secret. Just patiente and monitoring your system.

08/14/2016, 07:04 PM	#9
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	i have cycled many tanks. it doesnt have to be hard or a chemistry experiment. i buy cured live rock add to tank. add clean up crew in next few days. then add a few corals every few days or so and i dont feed my tank or add fish for 3 months. but yes i do add corals lps and even monti caps in first 3 months. i dont see the point in ghost feeding or adding pure ammonia. why would i want to build up nirtaues in my tank, yes water changes can get them out, but i dont want them in at all. i wait 3 months before i add fish, only because fish and feeding fish are going to produce the most waste and cause the tank to be unstable the fastest. i never test for nitrite or ammonia. dont see the point. it has worked for me and i never had a tank have cryno outbreak or GHA or anything. not saying this is the only way. just find it easy. i hate testing and only think i test for is alk,cal and mag.

08/14/2016, 07:19 PM	#10
Zoregon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 83	I rinsed the rock in Saltwater Rodi. Just a bit to get the worst off. So you're saying that I should start adding my clean up crew? With my levels so high won't they die?

08/14/2016, 08:16 PM	#11
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	If you used cured live rock. Why are your levels so high after a week Did you add anything else Are you sure the rock was cured. Where you buy it from. I normally just go to lfs and buy some good live rock. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/15/2016, 03:34 PM	#14
Zoregon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 83	Thank you. I suspect the rock was not as cured as it should have been. Some of it looks 'rusty' which is weird but it does have some nice coralline on it. I did test today and ammonia has gone down, nitrite and nitrate are both significantly higher. Will just leave her to sit for awhile and see where I'm at. No rush to add livestock, still trying to decide on lights.......currently using an old 48" coralife just so I can have something on in the interim.

08/16/2016, 01:30 PM	#15
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	i just wouldnt add fish until the coral and coralline algae starts growing. i like to give the tank time to fully cycle in before i add fish (aka phosphate machines)

08/16/2016, 07:18 PM	#16
Tanthaitrung Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 565	The cycle can be shortened by adding nitrifying bacteria (API QUICK START)?

08/16/2016, 07:25 PM	#17
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	I read that there's a test for individuals who have never had a SW system before. I helps prevent the loss of life in reef systems. Can you point me towards this?

08/16/2016, 07:41 PM	#18
Tanthaitrung Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 565	Is this the one that you are looking for? Or I misunderstand? http://m.marinedepot.com/products/ap...aster-test-kit Khanh

08/24/2016, 10:57 AM	#19
Zoregon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 83	So I was at ammonia 0, nitrite 0 & Nitrate 20. Was considering doing my w/c and possibly adding some form of life but it didn't feel right. So I 'ghost fed' a small amount of brine shrimp for two days. Now I'm at ammonia .2, nitrite .05 & Nitrate 20. Does this mean I am not cycled? I don't want to put anything in this tank until I'm sure.

08/24/2016, 11:14 AM	#20
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you have any ammonia or nitrites your tank is not cycled.

08/24/2016, 11:18 AM	#21
Zoregon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 83	Well....crap that's what I thought. Should I continue ghost feeding a small amount daily or leave it be? Thanks

08/24/2016, 11:28 AM	#22
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Probably no need to ghost feed. How long has the tank been cycling? When cured live rock is shipped, it is no longer cured, since there is die off.