Cycling Parameters

[crocogator106]

I'm currently cycling my new tank which is only a few days in. I tested my water parameters and am getting 1.2-2 ammonia, 0.2-0.5 Nitrite and 5 nitrates. I am using the Red Sea Marine Care test kits so I think they are pretty accurate. My concern is should I be getting readings from ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates all at the same time like this? I did have my rock curing/cycling for about a month and dosng LC to get rid of phosphates (Pukani) and think that this might be causing the readings in all three categories. I also dosed 25ml of household ammonia to kick off the cycle a few days ago when I got everything up and running.

 

[JeffyT]

Not sure if you should be dosing at all. The purpose of the cycling is so that your parameters become stable. The bacteria required will grow in your bio-media/sand/live rock then continue to break down everything for you.

I believe the only thing that can accelerate a cycle is dosing products like Dr. Tim's or using old water from an established tank or a piece of live rock from an established tank.

Usually you would go about cycling with the lights off, some sort of bio-media in the sump or display, no activated carbon components.

Your tank should spike and then go back down. If you cycle with a light you can get nuisance algae.

 

[crocogator106]

I started with dead sand and dead rock so I had to do something to start the cycle.


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[thegrun]

Your numbers are fine but no more dosing until the cycle is complete.

 

[crocogator106]

Ok I haven't been dosing since I put the rock in the DT. Thanks


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