chemistry levels today??

[caitreich]

Not too sure what to make of this and why it's happening during cycling...Do I need to start adding supplements? Levels were normal on 8/21 If so, what are you all doing these days to achieve normal levels? (I've been reading all day on this forum and it seems like there are million different ways to alter the chemistry). I went ahead and added an airstone and will check pH later. I have not added any living creatures....just a tank that started cycling on Aug 8th using ghost feeding.

I used Instant Ocean salt, I have a skimmer, and have to hydor pumps in addition to what came with the tank (20g, IM Nuvo)
temp 80.5
pH: appears to be heading below 7.8 using API saltwater test kit
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Salinity 1.025
hanna checker for phosphate 0
Salifert Ca 390 (was 400)
Salifert Mg 1080 (1290)
Salifert KH/Alk 7.9 (was 9)

 

[gone fishin]

Personally the ammonia and nitrite numbers are of more importance during a cycle. since yours are zero are you just starting or finishing?

If your concerned about the pH I would not sweat it. After the cycle the alk, calc and mag numbers will be of more importance. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[caitreich]

I am assuming finishing....the numbers rose, then decreased and have been 0 since 8/22 (started everything on 8/8)

 

[gone fishin]

That is a pretty quick cycle.

Did you use live rock?

Did you use anything to start a cycle?

 

[caitreich]

no live rock at all. Just did ghost feeding. I thought it was quick too, not really knowing. Used ro/di water as well.

 

[gone fishin]

Do you recall what the ammonia numbers got up to?

 

[caitreich]

yeah, i have a notebook......the highest it went up was 0.50

 

[gone fishin]

Not the highest, I usually like to shoot for about 2ppm of ammonia. I would suspect going slow on additions and you should be fine. Oh and good job on keeping a notebook. They do make things easier when some time goes by.

 

[caitreich]

thank you!