How do you know when tank is cycled?

Broderick · 11/01/2011, 11:36 AM

How do you know when tank is cycled? just wondering how to figure this out?

nctinter · 11/01/2011, 12:07 PM

Ammonia will be high at the start of the cycle. Then as it comes down nitrites will begin to rise. As they start to come down the nitrates will rise. Once you have a zero nitrate reading,check ammonia and nitrite as they should read zero also. Your tank is then cycled

brynkal · 11/01/2011, 12:53 PM

Test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate every couple of days to start with. You should start seeing ammonia first, then you'll get ammonia and nitrite, then finally you'll start getting nitrate. Once you have only nitrate with no ammonia or nitrite, you're cycled.

rogergolf66 · 11/01/2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brynkal

Test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate every couple of days to start with. You should start seeing ammonia first, then you'll get ammonia and nitrite, then finally you'll start getting nitrate. Once you have only nitrate with no ammonia or nitrite, you're cycled.

Yup simple and to the point. Nitrates will not go to zero like first post said.

Roger

Broderick · 11/01/2011, 01:18 PM

Is there a tester i can buy for this?

rogergolf66 · 11/01/2011, 01:29 PM

Lfs will have test kits for all 3 tests u need.

installman · 11/01/2011, 02:10 PM

Do not buy the test strips. I made that mistake when I set up my first saltwater tank. I thought I had zero ammonia and nitrite, but when I had faois test my water before buying fish I found out I still had both, and it took 2 more weeks before my tank was actually safe. I now own decent test kits.

11/01/2011, 11:36 AM	#1
Broderick Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brandon,Fl Posts: 186	How do you know when tank is cycled? How do you know when tank is cycled? just wondering how to figure this out?

11/01/2011, 01:29 PM	#6
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	Lfs will have test kits for all 3 tests u need. __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

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11/01/2011, 12:07 PM	#2
nctinter Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NPR, Florida Posts: 378	Ammonia will be high at the start of the cycle. Then as it comes down nitrites will begin to rise. As they start to come down the nitrates will rise. Once you have a zero nitrate reading,check ammonia and nitrite as they should read zero also. Your tank is then cycled

11/01/2011, 12:53 PM	#3
brynkal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 549	Test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate every couple of days to start with. You should start seeing ammonia first, then you'll get ammonia and nitrite, then finally you'll start getting nitrate. Once you have only nitrate with no ammonia or nitrite, you're cycled.

11/01/2011, 01:18 PM	#5
Broderick Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brandon,Fl Posts: 186	Is there a tester i can buy for this?

11/01/2011, 02:10 PM	#7
installman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 755	Do not buy the test strips. I made that mistake when I set up my first saltwater tank. I thought I had zero ammonia and nitrite, but when I had faois test my water before buying fish I found out I still had both, and it took 2 more weeks before my tank was actually safe. I now own decent test kits.