Cycling on track

[Schlagg]

I started the curing/cycling process of my 75 gallon marine tank on February 10 and I've been monitoring the progress with the ATI ammonia/nitrite/nitrate water tests.

I only had dry rock and sand when I first started, but added some (10 lbs) of coraline live rock on February 19.

I still didn't see any progression in my ammonia levels so I added 2 pieces of uncooked jumbo shrimp on February 25.

Did some reading on this forum and decided to cave in and purchase some DrTims denitrifying bacteria (240ml) and added this on March 2. The instructions had me remove my sock filter and turn off my lights for 48 hours. I just turned the lights back on and put my sock filter back in and did some water testing.

As of today my levels are as follows: Ammonia - 1.0 ppm / Nitrite - 5.0 ppm / Nitrate - 5.0 ppm and a pH of 8.3

Are these levels consistent with 22 days of cycling? Should I add anything additionally? Should I do any water changes or do I just keep waiting until I see higher levels of nitrate?

Thanks

 

[JUNBUG361]

IMO Your tank is on track. Be patient and keep checking on your water parameters. Once your ammonia & nitrite levels go down nitrate will increase a bit more. Then do a water change.

 

[OldReefGuy]

Grab a beer and wait. I wouldnt even test. Wait a week and than test and you should see your nitrate up and the rest at o.
Do 10% water change and add your first bioload (small). Give it a week, and then you should be good

 

[Schlagg]

Update:

Day 42 of cycling:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 8.3

What's the next step? add fishies? Do water changes? Add more bioload to the tank? I'm all ears

 

[JUNBUG361]

If water change has been done & those are Your water parameters. Your tank is ready for live stock. Not sure how much algae growth you have. Some cleaning crew or some hardy fish

 

[Dragon1979]

Do you do water change during the cycle or after the tank finish cycle

 

[Schlagg]

I have not done a water change as of today. I assume that's the next step then.

 

[JUNBUG361]

Do you do water change during the cycle or after the tank finish cycle

Water change after the cycle.

 

[Schlagg]

This was taken just after the cycling was completed in February:

The tank has had its first few water changes. I set up a quarantine tank a couple weeks ago and it's been acclimating for our first fish purchase. We're getting five firetail gobies; they come in tomorrow! I've added a protein skimmer finally (Octoreef 110-INT classic) and filled my refugium with chaeto algae. We'll see how they do

And here are some update pictures for the tank:

 

[Schlagg]

Let's try this again: