Am I through with my cycle?

[NoobieNemo]

I got my TBS package last thursday(30 gallon package) I got 30 lbs of live rock and 55 lbs of live sand for my first shipment...This morning I checked my ammonia with jungle test strips (it showed up just slightly green, very close to "ideal), on my SeaChem test discs, ammonia hasn't showed up at all the past 2 days! As for my tank, there is algae all over the freakin place! the rocks are turning brown! from what I've read it's pretty normal, should I tell Richard that I'd like to get my shipment on saturday?

-NoobieNemo

 

[hdtran]

How about your nitrites? Got to test those too.

 

[snooter1]

When your AM and Nitrites are 0 you are good. Nitrates will not go down that low. I have been able to get them to 10 but that is as low as thye will go. You will likely go through another cycle when the 2nd half comes in. I would give him a call and get ont he waiting list. Richard may not be able to ship right away and it apears your tank is very close if not done already.

 

[NoobieNemo]

oh crap..I just tested the nitrite...it's off the scale...around 20 maybe?25? Do I do a water change?crap....

 

[hdtran]

Noobie,

Your pm box is full & you need to clean out a bunch of messages.

Are you sure it's the nitrites at 20-25, or nitrates? If nitrites, (and also report your ammonia as ppm, not as color, please?), then, by all means do a substantial water change (at least 1/3 of the water, if not 1/2). Be sure your new water is adjusted for same salinity and temperature as tank water.

Also, report on your pH.

 

[hdtran]

Noobie reported a pH of 8.2, which is fine.

I'm beginning to get suspicious of the 20-25ppm nitrite reading. I'm wondering if the test kit is off, as 20-25ppm nitrite is way the heck off-scale.

Double check by testing your change-water (which should read 0 nitrite) to make sure that your test kit is correct before panicking any further!

 

[NoobieNemo]

I did that, I tested normal saltwater, it came up 0...I think I'm leaving my lights on too much...and I think that my thermometers could be a little off, the digital one says the water is about 84, but my glass thermometer (cheapy from wal mart) says 80...

Does that have anything to do with anything?

The nitrites now look a lot weaker, maybe 10...15...the color chart is very odd on SeaChem...

 

[snooter1]

AM will go to 0 and Nitrites will follow shortly after. Nitrates will stay at aboput 10-20