Cycling Tank - First Test Results

[nigam]

I filled my tank with Saltwater, and added live rock that had been sitting in rubbermaid containers for a week or two, along with live sand that contained at least a few snails and a sea urchin.

I did my first test 48 hours later (now) and have the following results:

Salinity = 1.0245
Ph = 7.58
Free Ammonia = 0.02
Total Ammonia = 0.1
Nitrites = 0.5
Nitrates = 2 to 5

Does this seem ok? What should I be looking for next?

Thanks
Alok

[jellyous]

Did you have a heater in the rubbermaid containers while the live rock was in there? This really isn't that good if you didn't because everything would of died and you will have a fouled tank for a while. Judging by you saying you filled your tank with saltwater this is a new tank setup. If it is, you need to let it cycle and don't add anything alive to the tank for about a week.

[bertoni]

Those numbers seem fine. I assume the containers have heaters and circulation, given the numbers. The rock is probably cured at this point, so you could consider putting it into the tank in a few days or so.

[nigam]

I had heaters in the rubbermaid container, but no circulation. Everything is in the saltwater tank now.

Should I look for the ammonia/nitrite numbers to get worse before they go to zero?

[bertoni]

There's no way to know. Live rock is highly variable in the amount of organic debris that comes with it.

[nigam]

Thanks - I'll see how long it takes to get to 0

[drummereef]

Let us know how it goes. Sounds like a good start.

[nigam]

As of now,

- Free Ammonia looks like 0
- Total Ammonia is still close to 0.1 (I'm not that good at matching the colors)
- Nitrates is 20 (up from 2-5 last week)

Also, I saw a snail crawling around. I'm going to wait another week or two...

[virginiadiver69]

Sounds like you are getting ready for a water change.

[nigam]

I haven't done the water change yet, but a few questions:

1. My "free ammonia" is 0; "total ammonia" around 0.5. Should I wait until both of these go to 0?

2. How high should I let the nitrates go before I need to change the water? They are steady at 20. Also, is one big water change better, or more, small water changes?

3. I have snails in the live sand now. What comes next when the tank is cycled? Should I set up the refugium first, or add fish first? (Or something else!)

Thanks again for all the help I've received here.

Alok

[bertoni]

1. I would wait until both are zero for a few weeks before adding any animals.

2. I'd do 20% changes, and start now, if I had the energy.

3. I'd add the refugium first, for extra filtration.

[peterink]

If can, add the refugium first. Then let it run for a day or 2. The name of the game is to make sure the water is very stable. If everything is running consistantly, then u can add live fishes (not too many at a time).

Remember, everytime u add a fish to the tank, the nitrate will fluctuate, then stabilize again.

I am new too. My tank is still cycling, now its coming to a week already.

[peterink]

Cleaning crew shoud be introduced to your reef to start their jobs.

How about your sump? Chaeto yet?

Any pictures of your display and sump?

[kau_cinta_ku]

am i reading that right? pH 7.58, that is low you want to be around 8.2-8.3

[nigam]

I'll get pictures eventually. At the moment, everything seems to be going well other than some brown algae.

Originally posted by peterink
Cleaning crew shoud be introduced to your reef to start their jobs.

How about your sump? Chaeto yet?

Any pictures of your display and sump?

[nigam]

It's in the right range now. I'm not sure why the early readings were low.

THanks
Alok

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku
am i reading that right? pH 7.58, that is low you want to be around 8.2-8.3