90gal reef cycling

[DjPhato]

Hi all, so after little more than a month these are the values I got over time with my hanna multiparameter:

Ammonia: 1.38 - 0.71 - 0.11 - 0.7 - 0.7 - 0.7 - 0.7
Nitrite ultra low range: 36 - 23 - 10 - 10 - 3
Nitrate High range: 10.7 - 14 - 13.8 - 18.7
Phosphate ultra low range: 0.11

What do you think? With almost all live rocks and sand I was expecting to be done by now but I guess I need to wait longer. Not sure if ammonia should go to zero…I always used salifert test in the past, what do you think?
Thanks and happy holidays!!!

 

[griss]

You definitely want ammonia at zero for fish. I can't recall but, have you used any of the bacterial additives to speed up the cycle?

 

[DjPhato]

You definitely want ammonia at zero for fish. I can't recall but, have you used any of the bacterial additives to speed up the cycle?

Yeah I usef Dr Tims one and only at the start, then 10days ago a did a 10% change and add some brightwell microbacteria

I am thinking, could this be a false positive? Will test the RO water now and see whats the value

 

[kharmaguru]

6 weeks to cycle is pretty normal...

 

[DjPhato]

I just tested my RO water and its 0.06 Ammonia now the question is….its actually zero and hanna instrument is not calibrated well or I produce water with ammonia inside?? The latter is a bit strange as my 5 stage RO is new

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Check the specifications on the meter.
There is an acceptable variance on any number produced.
So yes that is a good reading.

 

[DjPhato]

I actually found an explanation, something I did not know….the test measures NH3+NH4+ but only NH3 is toxic. Using this calculator I found that my value is much lower if considering only NH3, see picture below

This is the calculator:

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

Hanna also has its own table and according to this I have NH3 0.003
That being said, I have to increase the ph which is 7.8

 

[DjPhato]

Which values should I wait before starting with lights acclimation but avoid a huge amount of algae growing? And what about introducing some cleaning animals like snails, crabs?

 

[griss]

I (personally) always keep light on during the cycle from the very beginning. But, that's because I use real live rock to cycle and I want to keep any photosynthetic animals alive if possible. So, IMO, you can begin your lighting schedule now.

I also think you can add some cleaning crew.