Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates..

Tomorleans · 05/09/2007, 08:21 PM

My tank is in the 2nd week of it's first cycle.. I have some brown algae. About 40% of it.. And my Ammonio is at 0, Nitrites at 0 and my Nitrate is about 30.. Does that sound right? Seems like the Nitrates are high..? Water change needed?

moze229 · 05/09/2007, 08:25 PM

Please tell us how much and if any sand and live rock you have. If you have the correct amount of live rock, I wouldn't change the water yet. If you put new water in too soon you'll begin what I call a lingering cycle. It will take much longer to stabilize that way. Check the params again next week and see where you are.

Matt

BurntOutReefer · 05/09/2007, 08:28 PM

no...dont do water changes.....thats your system getting ready. wait another two weeks...nitrates will go down to 20~25ppm....
then, do 50% water change...and wait another week...then test, then water change and add clean-up crew. then repeat.

BurntOutReefer · 05/09/2007, 08:29 PM

and IMO.....disregard the LS / LR info...its a mute point. a cycle is a cycle

moze229 · 05/09/2007, 08:40 PM

It's a moot point until we try and decide how long to wait before checking params again

A cycle is just a cycle until you start adding variables. Bare bottom, SSB, DSB, 1 lb. live rock per gallon, 2lb. live rock per gallon, etc. All of these things change the cycle time.

The more filtering "stuff" you have in there, the longer it will take to cycle. But, the longer cycle time means more stability. If you just put water in a glass box with nothing else in there, it will cycle. But if you add one little thing you params are off the chart again. With the correct amount of live rock (or sand if you choose to use that) you have a much larger "buffer". The larger the buffer, the longer the cycle time.

Matt

bertoni · 05/09/2007, 08:44 PM

I'd probably do some water changes to start removing the nitrate and any toxic metabolites from the water column, but that's definitely optional. I don't see how they can hurt. Either way, the tank sounds like it's doing well.

BurntOutReefer · 05/09/2007, 08:47 PM

ummm...thats what the test is for....
lets see...2000Lbs of LR and 20000Lbs of LS versus 1lb LR and 1lb LS....whats the test for your cycle?

BurntOutReefer · 05/09/2007, 08:48 PM

and actually...what livestock (if any) are in the tank?

Tomorleans · 05/09/2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moze229
Please tell us how much and if any sand and live rock you have. If you have the correct amount of live rock, I wouldn't change the water yet. If you put new water in too soon you'll begin what I call a lingering cycle. It will take much longer to stabilize that way. Check the params again next week and see where you are.

Matt

Well I have one chromis in there since the beginning.. And I have 15 pounds of LR. Half of what I need. The tank is about 18 days old..

here are a few pics..

Tomorleans · 05/09/2007, 09:02 PM

doh.. double post..

One other thing I originally had two chromis in there but one died about a week ago. I pulled him out the same day he died.

bertoni · 05/09/2007, 09:20 PM

The tank looks fine to me. I'd return the Chromis and get the rest of the live rock and let that cycle.

BurntOutReefer · 05/09/2007, 09:29 PM

tank looks fine. let it cycle. Dont do any water changes yet. Let if finesh and get a strong bacteria system going...
BTW...is that a SkilterFilter HOB or a BioWheel?

bertoni · 05/09/2007, 10:04 PM

I don't believe that water changes are going to affect the "strength" of the bacterial system, as much as I can apply meaning to the term.

BurntOutReefer · 05/09/2007, 11:23 PM

IMO..then I guess everyone needs to do some reading on water changes during a cycle....

Tomorleans · 05/10/2007, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BurntOutReefer
tank looks fine. let it cycle. Dont do any water changes yet. Let if finesh and get a strong bacteria system going...
BTW...is that a SkilterFilter HOB or a BioWheel?

yes it's a Skilter.. Junk right?

So with the Nitrates as high as they are is a water change in order? IS that a dangerous level? I read somewhere if the Nitrates are high during a cycle to do a water change..?

Shagsbeard · 05/10/2007, 06:23 AM

Your nitrates are fine... pretty typical actually for a new tank. That algae you're starting to see is a sign that your tank is healthy. Don't panic over it as it will diminish over time. Get a clean up crew in there and they'll take care of some of it. I'd give the crew about a month to get established before I started putting in corals/fish.

That rock looks pretty tippy to me... is it bolted together or just resting on top of each other?

Tomorleans · 05/10/2007, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shagsbeard
Your nitrates are fine... pretty typical actually for a new tank. That algae you're starting to see is a sign that your tank is healthy. Don't panic over it as it will diminish over time. Get a clean up crew in there and they'll take care of some of it. I'd give the crew about a month to get established before I started putting in corals/fish.

That rock looks pretty tippy to me... is it bolted together or just resting on top of each other?

haha It's just balancing on there.. I plan on glueing them together with epoxy.

Tomorleans · 05/10/2007, 07:27 AM

I know this may be a stupid question but how can you tell how good your Protein Skimmer is working?

cdangel0 · 05/10/2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomorleans
I know this may be a stupid question but how can you tell how good your Protein Skimmer is working?

Generally by how much "funk" it is taking out of the water and what color it is. Just a heads up...don't get curious and stick your nose in the cup to see what it smells like

Tomorleans · 05/10/2007, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cdangel0
Generally by how much "funk" it is taking out of the water and what color it is. Just a heads up...don't get curious and stick your nose in the cup to see what it smells like

hahaha gotcha.

bertoni · 05/11/2007, 12:50 AM

Nitrate isn't particularly toxic, but ammonia is, and toxins can be released by decay. That's why I would do water changes if I had the energy.

AquaReeferMan · 05/11/2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomorleans
I know this may be a stupid question but how can you tell how good your Protein Skimmer is working?

Your skimmate should look like this

05/09/2007, 08:21 PM	#1
Tomorleans Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Orleans(Westbank) Posts: 226	Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates.. My tank is in the 2nd week of it's first cycle.. I have some brown algae. About 40% of it.. And my Ammonio is at 0, Nitrites at 0 and my Nitrate is about 30.. Does that sound right? Seems like the Nitrates are high..? Water change needed? Last edited by Tomorleans; 05/09/2007 at 09:05 PM.

05/09/2007, 08:25 PM	#2
moze229 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Triangle Area, NC Posts: 678	Please tell us how much and if any sand and live rock you have. If you have the correct amount of live rock, I wouldn't change the water yet. If you put new water in too soon you'll begin what I call a lingering cycle. It will take much longer to stabilize that way. Check the params again next week and see where you are. Matt __________________ The best things in life are free....except for reef tanks :( "What don't kill you - make you more strong." - James Hetfield Current Tank Info: 24 Aquapod w/120w LED Bridgelux 55 X 3 - Softies and LPS

05/09/2007, 08:40 PM	#5
moze229 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Triangle Area, NC Posts: 678	It's a moot point until we try and decide how long to wait before checking params again A cycle is just a cycle until you start adding variables. Bare bottom, SSB, DSB, 1 lb. live rock per gallon, 2lb. live rock per gallon, etc. All of these things change the cycle time. The more filtering "stuff" you have in there, the longer it will take to cycle. But, the longer cycle time means more stability. If you just put water in a glass box with nothing else in there, it will cycle. But if you add one little thing you params are off the chart again. With the correct amount of live rock (or sand if you choose to use that) you have a much larger "buffer". The larger the buffer, the longer the cycle time. Matt __________________ The best things in life are free....except for reef tanks :( "What don't kill you - make you more strong." - James Hetfield Current Tank Info: 24 Aquapod w/120w LED Bridgelux 55 X 3 - Softies and LPS

05/09/2007, 08:44 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd probably do some water changes to start removing the nitrate and any toxic metabolites from the water column, but that's definitely optional. I don't see how they can hurt. Either way, the tank sounds like it's doing well. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/09/2007, 09:20 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The tank looks fine to me. I'd return the Chromis and get the rest of the live rock and let that cycle. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/09/2007, 08:28 PM	#3
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	no...dont do water changes.....thats your system getting ready. wait another two weeks...nitrates will go down to 20~25ppm.... then, do 50% water change...and wait another week...then test, then water change and add clean-up crew. then repeat.

05/09/2007, 08:29 PM	#4
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	and IMO.....disregard the LS / LR info...its a mute point. a cycle is a cycle

05/09/2007, 08:47 PM	#7
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	ummm...thats what the test is for.... lets see...2000Lbs of LR and 20000Lbs of LS versus 1lb LR and 1lb LS....whats the test for your cycle?

05/09/2007, 08:48 PM	#8
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	and actually...what livestock (if any) are in the tank?

05/09/2007, 09:02 PM	#10
Tomorleans Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Orleans(Westbank) Posts: 226	doh.. double post.. One other thing I originally had two chromis in there but one died about a week ago. I pulled him out the same day he died.

05/09/2007, 09:29 PM	#12
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	tank looks fine. let it cycle. Dont do any water changes yet. Let if finesh and get a strong bacteria system going... BTW...is that a SkilterFilter HOB or a BioWheel?

05/09/2007, 10:04 PM	#13
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't believe that water changes are going to affect the "strength" of the bacterial system, as much as I can apply meaning to the term. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/09/2007, 11:23 PM	#14
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	IMO..then I guess everyone needs to do some reading on water changes during a cycle....

05/10/2007, 06:23 AM	#16
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Your nitrates are fine... pretty typical actually for a new tank. That algae you're starting to see is a sign that your tank is healthy. Don't panic over it as it will diminish over time. Get a clean up crew in there and they'll take care of some of it. I'd give the crew about a month to get established before I started putting in corals/fish. That rock looks pretty tippy to me... is it bolted together or just resting on top of each other?

05/10/2007, 07:27 AM	#18
Tomorleans Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Orleans(Westbank) Posts: 226	I know this may be a stupid question but how can you tell how good your Protein Skimmer is working?

05/11/2007, 12:50 AM	#21
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Nitrate isn't particularly toxic, but ammonia is, and toxins can be released by decay. That's why I would do water changes if I had the energy. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni