Water parameters

Bassguy13 · 08/31/2016, 11:56 AM

So my tank has been running for about 2 days. All i have is live sand in there at the moment. I tested my water parameters (PH, Amonnia, Nitrite, and nitrate) for the first time. All of the tests except for PH, obviousl,y came back as zero. I dont really know what to take this as since im pretty new. Is this a bad thing good thing or should i just keep testing and watch it. It seems a little soon for the tank to be cycled. It is a 5g marineland contour

nereefpat · 08/31/2016, 11:59 AM

You will have to add a nitrogen source to start the cycle.

mcgyvr · 08/31/2016, 12:04 PM

Give it time..
Typically a cycle can take up to 4 weeks or more but can happen in a week or 2 with sufficient live rock/live sand with little die off..
I guarantee your cycle is not done.. and probably hasn't even started..

Typically people do the following.
#1-Ghost feed (just add a few flakes of fish food to the tank for a few days).. This will break down into ammonia and start the process.
#2-Actually add bottled ammonia to the tank.. Typically we recommend adding enough till 2ppm of ammonia is measureable.. Do that once.. Then maybe a few more times to see how fast the system is processing that ammonia all the way through to nitrates..
#3-throwing in a dead shrimp or something else to again break down into ammonia,etc..

Welcome.. Sit back.. Relax.. You've got time.. Tank is NOT cycled..

Seriously I wouldn't recommend anyone cycling for less than 4 weeks no matter whats in the tank...

remember this..
NOTHING good happens quickly in Reefing..

Bassguy13 · 08/31/2016, 12:51 PM

Well any idea on why my cycle hasnt started yet?

thegrun · 08/31/2016, 01:57 PM

1. because it has only been two days!
2. Have you added anything to start the cycle?

Sk8r · 08/31/2016, 02:34 PM

Expect 4 to 8 weeks, depending on amount of live rock.

Sk8r · 08/31/2016, 02:36 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074

Bassguy13 · 08/31/2016, 04:48 PM

No I haven't added anything to start the cycle

gone fishin · 08/31/2016, 05:19 PM

Do you plan on putting any rock in the tank??

niladride · 09/01/2016, 04:38 AM

@Op

Generally die offs from live sand and live rocks start the cycle which takes about 4-6 weeks to complete. If you do not have any die off you have to add some source of ammonia in the tank, be it pure bottled ammonia solution from market or any decaying matter or fish food.

Bassguy13 · 09/01/2016, 06:07 AM

Yes I am putting in live rock

niladride · 09/01/2016, 06:55 AM

If you put live rock directly from another well established set up to your tank within a couple of hours may be with the rocks staying wet, you may not see the cycle at all as the bacteria colony in the rocks stay alive and there may not be adequate die off to start the cycle.

texdoc77 · 09/01/2016, 07:14 AM

Another option is to use a kit to cycle your tank such as Red Sea Reef Mature Pro Kit and follow the instructions.

And also look at the link Sk8r gave...

08/31/2016, 02:34 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Expect 4 to 8 weeks, depending on amount of live rock. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/31/2016, 02:36 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074 __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/31/2016, 05:19 PM	#9
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Do you plan on putting any rock in the tank?? __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

09/01/2016, 07:14 AM	#13
texdoc77 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 417	Another option is to use a kit to cycle your tank such as Red Sea Reef Mature Pro Kit and follow the instructions. And also look at the link Sk8r gave... __________________ "The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self; all your wishes and precautions; to Christ." -C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity) Current Tank Info: Currently Rebuilding

08/31/2016, 11:56 AM	#1
Bassguy13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 106	Water parameters So my tank has been running for about 2 days. All i have is live sand in there at the moment. I tested my water parameters (PH, Amonnia, Nitrite, and nitrate) for the first time. All of the tests except for PH, obviousl,y came back as zero. I dont really know what to take this as since im pretty new. Is this a bad thing good thing or should i just keep testing and watch it. It seems a little soon for the tank to be cycled. It is a 5g marineland contour

08/31/2016, 11:59 AM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	You will have to add a nitrogen source to start the cycle. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

08/31/2016, 12:04 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Give it time.. Typically a cycle can take up to 4 weeks or more but can happen in a week or 2 with sufficient live rock/live sand with little die off.. I guarantee your cycle is not done.. and probably hasn't even started.. Typically people do the following. #1-Ghost feed (just add a few flakes of fish food to the tank for a few days).. This will break down into ammonia and start the process. #2-Actually add bottled ammonia to the tank.. Typically we recommend adding enough till 2ppm of ammonia is measureable.. Do that once.. Then maybe a few more times to see how fast the system is processing that ammonia all the way through to nitrates.. #3-throwing in a dead shrimp or something else to again break down into ammonia,etc.. Welcome.. Sit back.. Relax.. You've got time.. Tank is NOT cycled.. Seriously I wouldn't recommend anyone cycling for less than 4 weeks no matter whats in the tank... remember this.. NOTHING good happens quickly in Reefing.. __________________ Who me?

08/31/2016, 12:51 PM	#4
Bassguy13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 106	Well any idea on why my cycle hasnt started yet?

08/31/2016, 01:57 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	1. because it has only been two days! 2. Have you added anything to start the cycle?

08/31/2016, 04:48 PM	#8
Bassguy13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 106	No I haven't added anything to start the cycle

09/01/2016, 04:38 AM	#10
niladride Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 567	@Op Generally die offs from live sand and live rocks start the cycle which takes about 4-6 weeks to complete. If you do not have any die off you have to add some source of ammonia in the tank, be it pure bottled ammonia solution from market or any decaying matter or fish food.

09/01/2016, 06:07 AM	#11
Bassguy13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 106	Yes I am putting in live rock

09/01/2016, 06:55 AM	#12
niladride Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 567	If you put live rock directly from another well established set up to your tank within a couple of hours may be with the rocks staying wet, you may not see the cycle at all as the bacteria colony in the rocks stay alive and there may not be adequate die off to start the cycle.