Water levels (test) on a new tank

StlScott · 08/27/2012, 07:52 PM

I have a Biocube 29 that I set up two weeks ago with 30lbs of live rock and 25lbs of live sand. After cycling for 1 week, I chose to change the fine sand to something a little more coarse. The first time I set the tank up I mixed my salt in the empty tank with tap water and chlorine remover. After 1 week I drained the tank, changed the sand and filled it up with ro-di salt water. It's been cycling for 1 week and nothing is spiking. Shouldn't the water test high? My PH is a little low (is there a way to raise PH without using buffer or chemicals?) my ammonia and nitrites are 0 and just a trace of nitrites. Is this usual? I can't imagine my cycle is over. I sure would like some help. Any advise?

Biocubehqi · 08/27/2012, 08:06 PM

I agree with you, there is no way your cycle is over, it probly hasn't started. Try feeding your tank to help it along. There are tons of threads on this. I didn't do it so I can't tell you much on it. You can raise your ph by getting rid of co2 open a window next to the tank, just give it some fresh air that may help. So far I hope you have nothing in there so ph shouldn't matter. From what I understand I made this mistake. Don't chase your ph. If alk, cal, and mag are all good then your are fine. Be careful since you used tap water. Make sure you don't have a copper reading in your system and hopefully you won't have a hair algae problem.

Good luck.

Biocubehqi · 08/27/2012, 08:29 PM

Incase you didn't know use the search function on the bar at the top of this page, type in ghost feeding and cycle and you will have all the knowledge you need at your fingertips.

Waddleboy · 08/27/2012, 08:37 PM

take some fish food and drop it in. Wait a day and test. Ghost feeding provides decaying matter (ammonia) for the bacteria to feed on. The question of a cycle is whether or not you have a built up population to handle it. You had your tank cycling for two weeks, changed things and then an other week. 3 weeks might have done it if enough live rock went into it and such. Ghost feed to make sure

08/27/2012, 07:52 PM	#1
StlScott Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: St Charles, MO Posts: 48	Water levels (test) on a new tank I have a Biocube 29 that I set up two weeks ago with 30lbs of live rock and 25lbs of live sand. After cycling for 1 week, I chose to change the fine sand to something a little more coarse. The first time I set the tank up I mixed my salt in the empty tank with tap water and chlorine remover. After 1 week I drained the tank, changed the sand and filled it up with ro-di salt water. It's been cycling for 1 week and nothing is spiking. Shouldn't the water test high? My PH is a little low (is there a way to raise PH without using buffer or chemicals?) my ammonia and nitrites are 0 and just a trace of nitrites. Is this usual? I can't imagine my cycle is over. I sure would like some help. Any advise?

08/27/2012, 08:06 PM	#2
Biocubehqi Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 777	I agree with you, there is no way your cycle is over, it probly hasn't started. Try feeding your tank to help it along. There are tons of threads on this. I didn't do it so I can't tell you much on it. You can raise your ph by getting rid of co2 open a window next to the tank, just give it some fresh air that may help. So far I hope you have nothing in there so ph shouldn't matter. From what I understand I made this mistake. Don't chase your ph. If alk, cal, and mag are all good then your are fine. Be careful since you used tap water. Make sure you don't have a copper reading in your system and hopefully you won't have a hair algae problem. Good luck. Last edited by Biocubehqi; 08/27/2012 at 08:13 PM.

08/27/2012, 08:29 PM	#3
Biocubehqi Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 777	Incase you didn't know use the search function on the bar at the top of this page, type in ghost feeding and cycle and you will have all the knowledge you need at your fingertips.

08/27/2012, 08:37 PM	#4
Waddleboy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 766	take some fish food and drop it in. Wait a day and test. Ghost feeding provides decaying matter (ammonia) for the bacteria to feed on. The question of a cycle is whether or not you have a built up population to handle it. You had your tank cycling for two weeks, changed things and then an other week. 3 weeks might have done it if enough live rock went into it and such. Ghost feed to make sure