Cycle progress

[bryanb85]

I wanted to post these graphs of my current/first cycle and get your thoughts of my progress. Not sure if i should be seeing nitrates already but everything seems to be going well.

75 gallon with 75 lbs of dry rock and 80 lbs of live sand. Ive also added 2 whole shrimp and a bottle of fluval bacteria. Water is about 90% clear, a little hazy looking through the side of the tank.

One question with my sump. 200 micron sock overflows immediately. Should i , have a ball valve on my drain tube or is this a common problem?

 

[Enseye85]

You have nitrites showing, and you used live sand, so its not surprising that some nitrate is showing. I have read some things about nitrite interfering with a nitrate result, but either way, it's nothing to e concerned about. In my opinion, it wouldn't hurt at all to put a ball valve, or some other way to shut off water to the sump. If you do add one, and have to use it some day, make sure you turn off the return pump.

 

[Dan_P]

I applaud your dligence in plotting the dots, and with pen and paper to boot!

Numbers look good. Don't worry about the nitrate at this point. I hope you continue to post the graphs.

 

[bryanb85]

Good ole pen and paper. I plan to continue these charts through the entire cycle. How frequently should i be testing for ph and alk or is that something to worry about after the cycle is complete?

 

[Dan_P]

Good ole pen and paper. I plan to continue these charts through the entire cycle. How frequently should i be testing for ph and alk or is that something to worry about after the cycle is complete?

At this point tracking alkalinity and pH would be academic. Weekly measurements for now if you are curious.

If you can afford it, consider buying a pH meter before stocking animals.

 

[gone fishin]

Your plots look like your progressing along. You will not see a lot of nitrite until your ammonia starts to fall.

Do not throttle back your drain lines with a valve. Either you are getting really dirty socks fast or your drain flow rate is to much for the socks.

As far as alk, calcium and magnesium go that is a ways down the road. WC should keep you in check until you start adding things that will consume them.

 

[bryanb85]

Thanks for the input dan, ive quickly learned that in this hobby when someone says if you can afford it, it MUST be expensive. never heard of the ph meter but ill in to it.

gone fishing, as far as my filter socks they overflowed even with saltwater only in the tank. Nothing to clog them up. Maybe try 100 micron sock?