cycling tank

carreradude · 01/26/2010, 09:53 PM

Ok so my tank has been cycling for almost 3 weeks now since I added some pieces of live rock in wiht my dry rock and sand. I fugure its time I should get a test kit and check to see what my levels are, Im probably going to go with the Salifert test kits, Which tests should I buy to start with?

Also im starting to see little areas of like a lime greenish coloring on some parts of my rock? Is this a common algae?

Mariner · 01/26/2010, 10:00 PM

IMHO, you should test throughout your cycle for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, that way you can keep track of progress and know exactly what has happened -- there's no doubt about where you are in the cycle. Cheap Aquarium Pharm. test solutions are fine to obtain these values IMO, because they don't need to be very precise. You can also use the AP KH test kit for alk. Later on, when you start testing for Calcium and Magnesium, I'd recommend a higher quality kit like Salifert.
HTH,
Mariner

afernandez · 01/26/2010, 10:04 PM

i say go with some thing simple such as api/red sea good for the money save the salifert test kits for po4/alk/cal/mg .. i use all 3. and just got some elos to try out. but like i said try one of those test kits that bring ammonia/no2/no3/ph they good never let me down.

carreradude · 01/26/2010, 10:08 PM

I have been testing with some cheap test strips that test nitrate, nitrite, alk and ph, according to them my nitrate and nitrite have come down significantly, so i figure i should get higher quality test kits to know for sure my water perams

sedor · 01/26/2010, 10:12 PM

Salifert is definitely overkill! For the price of one kit you can buy an entire kit with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph. Save salifert for when you start measuring your Ca, Alk, and Mg.

carreradude · 01/26/2010, 10:15 PM

ok so the all in one test strips are fine for now

spleify · 01/26/2010, 10:27 PM

I personally would avoid the strips. They are not very reliable.

API are OK kits. But if you were planning on getting the Salifert kits, IMO I would stick with them. I have used them for years and have had good luck with them

Sisterlimonpot · 01/26/2010, 10:31 PM

+1 API test kits are the cheapest route, once your cycle is complete it is seldom that you are going to be testing ammonia and nitrite.

wooden_reefer · 01/26/2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carreradude

Ok so my tank has been cycling for almost 3 weeks now since I added some pieces of live rock in wiht my dry rock and sand. I fugure its time I should get a test kit and check to see what my levels are, Im probably going to go with the Salifert test kits, Which tests should I buy to start with?

Also im starting to see little areas of like a lime greenish coloring on some parts of my rock? Is this a common algae?

You should not assume that for the past three weeks your tank has been cycling.

It takes ammonia (and bacteria seed which you have) to cycle. If you are not sure about the presence of ammonia and/or nitrite, you cannot be sure that a cycle has started.

BTW, it is more correct to speak of the cycling the filtration medium (Live rock etc) in a tank, but newbies tend to think of cycling a tank. Newbies will likely cycle the filtration medium in the DT; this leads to the general idea of "cycling a tank".

01/26/2010, 09:53 PM	#1
carreradude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca Posts: 37	cycling tank Ok so my tank has been cycling for almost 3 weeks now since I added some pieces of live rock in wiht my dry rock and sand. I fugure its time I should get a test kit and check to see what my levels are, Im probably going to go with the Salifert test kits, Which tests should I buy to start with? Also im starting to see little areas of like a lime greenish coloring on some parts of my rock? Is this a common algae?

01/26/2010, 10:00 PM	#2
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	IMHO, you should test throughout your cycle for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, that way you can keep track of progress and know exactly what has happened -- there's no doubt about where you are in the cycle. Cheap Aquarium Pharm. test solutions are fine to obtain these values IMO, because they don't need to be very precise. You can also use the AP KH test kit for alk. Later on, when you start testing for Calcium and Magnesium, I'd recommend a higher quality kit like Salifert. HTH, Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

01/26/2010, 10:04 PM	#3
afernandez Never Quit!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new york city! Posts: 1,505	i say go with some thing simple such as api/red sea good for the money save the salifert test kits for po4/alk/cal/mg .. i use all 3. and just got some elos to try out. but like i said try one of those test kits that bring ammonia/no2/no3/ph they good never let me down. __________________ Arlin- Take your time and do it right. Current Tank Info: 120g Apex controller, (2) mp40w Es ,(3) Mp10W Es, Alfa vertex 170, 8 bulb ATI Dimable Sunpower,REEFOCTOPUS-BB-10000, Tunze Ato . 21G MINI-Reef, 250w MH, Mp10Wes

01/26/2010, 10:12 PM	#5
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Salifert is definitely overkill! For the price of one kit you can buy an entire kit with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph. Save salifert for when you start measuring your Ca, Alk, and Mg. __________________ Ryan

01/26/2010, 10:27 PM	#7
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	I personally would avoid the strips. They are not very reliable. API are OK kits. But if you were planning on getting the Salifert kits, IMO I would stick with them. I have used them for years and have had good luck with them __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

01/26/2010, 10:08 PM	#4
carreradude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca Posts: 37	I have been testing with some cheap test strips that test nitrate, nitrite, alk and ph, according to them my nitrate and nitrite have come down significantly, so i figure i should get higher quality test kits to know for sure my water perams

01/26/2010, 10:15 PM	#6
carreradude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Santa Clarita, Ca Posts: 37	ok so the all in one test strips are fine for now

01/26/2010, 10:31 PM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	+1 API test kits are the cheapest route, once your cycle is complete it is seldom that you are going to be testing ammonia and nitrite. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress