Cycling, hight phosphates!

[liberalis]

Hi,

I've started my cycle 18 days ago. 180 l tank. I've got 19kg of live rock and 9l of live sand. Today test:No3: 5-10, ammonia: 0, Po4: 0,17.

I'm worried about the high level of phosphates. Am I doing something wrong or this level of phosphates may be normal at this stage ? The water changes may be something of help?

Any advice for my first ever cycle would be great !

 

[Staisman]

It is normal, I had 0.25 phosphates after the cycle is done. If you have 0 ammonia and 0 Nitrites, you can do 50% water change and lower your No3 and Po4.

 

[danil]

Actually this value is low for cycling. You have very little dead organic on your rocks which is good. Since you have NO3 detected your cycle has started and you're ready to go!