cycle test result after 1 1/2 weeks

joshyross70 · 10/02/2013, 10:42 PM

so im almost two weeks in the cycle and idk if i should panic or be happy with the results! please help

pH = looks like 8.0

ammonia = looks like 8

nitrite = look like 1.0

nitrate = looks like 10

NHATRANG · 10/02/2013, 11:03 PM

Patience, you are on your way. I bet 5 to 7 days, everything will be 0

schatzi · 10/02/2013, 11:05 PM

don't worry about ph but 8 is a good number. they all look exactly like they should, even pretty quickly too compared to my cycle. Don't worry if the ammonia keeps going up or not dropping, that's normal and just be patient. You're doing good.

schatzi · 10/02/2013, 11:10 PM

double

joshyross70 · 10/03/2013, 12:43 AM

thats a major relieve!! thanks. im assuming i should take the piece of shrimp i used out correct?

KeepNitReel · 10/03/2013, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshyross70

thats a major relieve!! thanks. im assuming i should take the piece of shrimp i used out correct?

With ammonia reading 8ppm your cycle most likely will stall. Ammonia readings in 3-5ppm range is where you want to be.

Deinonych · 10/03/2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keepnitreel

with ammonia reading 8ppm your cycle most likely will stall. Ammonia readings in 3-5ppm range is where you want to be.

+1

joshyross70 · 10/03/2013, 12:57 PM

so how would i get ammonia down then

KeepNitReel · 10/03/2013, 01:12 PM

Partial water change is necessary in this case. Get the level down to 3-5ppm.

I have no idea why someone would tell you your cycle is fine, you would have been starting at a tank full of ammonia, nitrite & nitrate forever.

LizardLou · 10/03/2013, 01:40 PM

Definitely water change to get the ammonia down. My ammonia spiked around 5 at the start of my cycle. Then you want to see the ammonia turn into nitrites and then nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites will be 0 when it's cycled.

Test all three every day to watch the progression.

joshyross70 · 10/03/2013, 03:26 PM

what percent should i do the water change for? i have a 34 gallon DT

KeepNitReel · 10/03/2013, 04:04 PM

I'm not sure but I would start with no less than 30%. Afterwards, give the tank a little time to turnover a few times then check ammonia. If it's still to high, repeat the process but at a lower percentage.

joshyross70 · 10/04/2013, 12:06 AM

anyone else with opinion on percent of water change

Mark9 · 10/04/2013, 05:54 AM

If you have 8, and your target is 5, you want to remove 3.
3/8 is approximately 37% of the water volume.

If you want 4, do a 50% water change.

oscarinw · 10/04/2013, 06:02 AM

I'd change 10-15 gallons and take the shrimp out. Good luck with things!

KeepNitReel · 10/04/2013, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark9

If you have 8, and your target is 5, you want to remove 3.
3/8 is approximately 37% of the water volume.

If you want 4, do a 50% water change.

+1
Anything less will result in ammonia reading over 5ppm

Mark9 · 10/04/2013, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshyross70

thats a major relieve!! thanks. im assuming i should take the piece of shrimp i used out correct?

Yes, take that stinky shrimp out!

joshyross70 · 10/04/2013, 08:56 AM

took the shrimp out and i gotta say, i all most puked all over when i took it out. i will do a 50% water change today. thanks for the help

KeepNitReel · 10/04/2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshyross70

took the shrimp out and i gotta say, i all most puked all over when i took it out. i will do a 50% water change today. thanks for the help

That shrimp sounds like it was rotten before you ever put it in the tank! Good thing it was used in the tank & not for meal

joshyross70 · 10/05/2013, 07:49 AM

so after doing about a 40% water change yesterday i tested today and this is what the tests read

ph- 8
ammonia- 3
nitrite-2
nitrate- 20

so everything looks the same exept the ammonia. any suggestions?

KeepNitReel · 10/05/2013, 10:28 AM

Leave it like that! Your nitrite will overcome your ammonia quickly due to the 8ppm that was in the tank. Your good!!!!

joshyross70 · 10/05/2013, 02:02 PM

kool beans. thanks

acabgd · 10/05/2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshyross70

so everything looks the same exept the ammonia. any suggestions?

Patience.

FTDelta · 10/05/2013, 09:47 PM

Noticed you use API test kit. They're so-so for saltwater. I'd invest in a better quality test kit like Salifert, Seachem or Red Sea brand.

joshyross70 · 10/09/2013, 11:19 PM

did another test tonight

ph - 8
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 5
nitrate - 40

10/02/2013, 10:42 PM	#1
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	cycle test result after 1 1/2 weeks so im almost two weeks in the cycle and idk if i should panic or be happy with the results! please help pH = looks like 8.0 ammonia = looks like 8 nitrite = look like 1.0 nitrate = looks like 10

10/02/2013, 11:05 PM	#3
schatzi Professional amateur Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: JC, MO Posts: 513	don't worry about ph but 8 is a good number. they all look exactly like they should, even pretty quickly too compared to my cycle. Don't worry if the ammonia keeps going up or not dropping, that's normal and just be patient. You're doing good. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef, 46g predator tank, 25g fuge, 39g frag/fuge, 70g sump, 29g clown tank.

10/02/2013, 11:10 PM	#4
schatzi Professional amateur Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: JC, MO Posts: 513	double __________________ 125g Mixed Reef, 46g predator tank, 25g fuge, 39g frag/fuge, 70g sump, 29g clown tank. Last edited by schatzi; 10/02/2013 at 11:45 PM.

10/02/2013, 11:03 PM	#2
NHATRANG Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Milford Posts: 109	Patience, you are on your way. I bet 5 to 7 days, everything will be 0

10/03/2013, 12:43 AM	#5
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	thats a major relieve!! thanks. im assuming i should take the piece of shrimp i used out correct?

10/03/2013, 12:57 PM	#8
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	so how would i get ammonia down then

10/03/2013, 01:12 PM	#9
KeepNitReel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Henrico, Virginia Posts: 490	Partial water change is necessary in this case. Get the level down to 3-5ppm. I have no idea why someone would tell you your cycle is fine, you would have been starting at a tank full of ammonia, nitrite & nitrate forever.

10/03/2013, 01:40 PM	#10
LizardLou Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 55	Definitely water change to get the ammonia down. My ammonia spiked around 5 at the start of my cycle. Then you want to see the ammonia turn into nitrites and then nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites will be 0 when it's cycled. Test all three every day to watch the progression.

10/03/2013, 03:26 PM	#11
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	what percent should i do the water change for? i have a 34 gallon DT

10/03/2013, 04:04 PM	#12
KeepNitReel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Henrico, Virginia Posts: 490	I'm not sure but I would start with no less than 30%. Afterwards, give the tank a little time to turnover a few times then check ammonia. If it's still to high, repeat the process but at a lower percentage.

10/04/2013, 12:06 AM	#13
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	anyone else with opinion on percent of water change

10/04/2013, 05:54 AM	#14
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	If you have 8, and your target is 5, you want to remove 3. 3/8 is approximately 37% of the water volume. If you want 4, do a 50% water change.

10/04/2013, 06:02 AM	#15
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	I'd change 10-15 gallons and take the shrimp out. Good luck with things!

10/04/2013, 08:56 AM	#18
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	took the shrimp out and i gotta say, i all most puked all over when i took it out. i will do a 50% water change today. thanks for the help

10/05/2013, 07:49 AM	#20
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	so after doing about a 40% water change yesterday i tested today and this is what the tests read ph- 8 ammonia- 3 nitrite-2 nitrate- 20 so everything looks the same exept the ammonia. any suggestions?

10/05/2013, 10:28 AM	#21
KeepNitReel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Henrico, Virginia Posts: 490	Leave it like that! Your nitrite will overcome your ammonia quickly due to the 8ppm that was in the tank. Your good!!!!

10/05/2013, 02:02 PM	#22
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	kool beans. thanks

10/05/2013, 09:47 PM	#24
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	Noticed you use API test kit. They're so-so for saltwater. I'd invest in a better quality test kit like Salifert, Seachem or Red Sea brand.

10/09/2013, 11:19 PM	#25
joshyross70 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 394	did another test tonight ph - 8 ammonia - 0 nitrite - 5 nitrate - 40