Cycling Help

[hickoryboy]

Hi all,

Tank information: 30 gal long with 23 lbs of Live rock from an established tank.

I set the tank up 2 weeks ago and added the live rock on 11/08/14 from day one the tests readings were as follows:

PH: 8.2
Amonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
Salinity: 1.0241.025

ON 11/13/14 I added Amonia per the advice from RC. The readings after about 30 minutes were as follows:

PH: 8.2
Amonia: 4.0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Salinity: 1.024-1.025

11/14/14

PH: 8.2
Amonia: 4.0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Salinity: 1.024-1.025

Did a small water change 5 gallons and had a reading of the following on 11/15/14

PH: 8.2
Amonia 2.0ppm - 3.0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Salinity: 1.024-1.025

Any advice or suggestions on where I may be on the cycle or what to do next? Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions!

 

[Azedenkae]

Wait it out. :3

How's the life on the live rock? Any visible die-off? You don't really need to do water changes at the moment by the way, no point to it.

 

[hickoryboy]

Azendenkae, Thanks for the response. Don't want to sound totally out there but not sure what to look for in the die-off. Will the amonia drop on its own? Thanks!

 

[gone fishin]

Yes the ammonia will drop on its own. Once your bacteria get up and going the ammonia will fall and nitrite will rise and fall. Leaving nitrate and time to do a WC.

As far as signs for die off on LR usually an ammonia rise is a good indicator.

Just sit back and relax the tank is doing the work now.

 

[Eac7466]

I know waiting is the hard part. But if you don't be patient it will cost you a lot in the long run. I learned that on my first tank.