Cycling Question..

[clownfish06]

I have a 75 gallon tank with same size sump. My tank has been cycling for 3 weeks and using an API test kit my numbers are: Ammonia .25 ; Nitrite .50 and Nitrate 5.0 ppm. I have been patient and do not want to jump the gun but is it time for a 50% water change and add fish? I started off with dry rock and sand and added pure ammonia which shot up to 8 ppm or more because I added to much but it has dropped to lvl listed above. No signs of algae and lights been on during day and off at night. Thoughts?

 

[TigeBell]

With ammonia showing you need to wait. No need for water change yet. However, you are close to being done with your cycle.

You could take a sample to you LFS and see if they will perform a test if you like.

 

[JoelA7]

No water change until cycle is complete. NH3 is 0, NO2 is 0.

 

[SwampyBill]

^^^ +1 ^^^

& no need to be running lights either. That will only cause excess algae.

 

[clownfish06]

Ok. Thanks for the info. I will keep checking levels.

 

[Hexacorallia]

you said light on during day and off at night. Does this mean the light is on all day? you will want a scheduled photoperiod from 8-10hrs a day. Just makin sure! Also 50% h2o change? yes wait till cycled, but even after its fully cycled IME its not needed. h20 changes for excess nutrients or replenish elements. If the tank is just cycled, shouldn't have any excess nutrients or much of any elements used. Also once your tank has occupants, 50% changes can be harsh on marine life causing a sudden drastic change. i prefer no more then 25-30% more frequent then one 50%. just some tips

 

[clownfish06]

Thank you

 

[thegrun]

You are waiting for your ammonia and nitrites to both drop to zero before adding livestock. If at that point your nitrates are over 5ppm I would make a large water change to reduce the nitrates and then add a clean-up crew.

 

[Mcgeezer]

turn your lights off. having them on is asking for algae trouble...

ammonia and nitrite need to hit zero....then perform large water change over the period of 2-3 days and test again. Dont change 50% at one time as it can drastically alter the bacteria levels in your tank.

if at zero (including nitrate) then your cycled. Ideally, you should allow nitrate to drop to zero naturally and then do the water change.


start adding CUC and then wait a little while before adding any fish.

 

[clownfish06]

I see everybody suggesting to add a clean up crew but there will be nothing for them to clean up. Do I just feed as if a fish were in tank so clean up crew can have something to eat?

 

[TigeBell]

There is stuff in the tank that they can clean up. You can also add fish food to help them eat something.

 

[clownfish06]

Update... Ammonia. 0, Nitrite .50, Nitrate. 10, PH 7.8. Nitrite and Nitrate both spiked and are now coming down by half compared to last week. PH being 7.8 and needing to be higher after I add buffer is this something I will constantly have to add buffer to deal with or once buffer is added should maintain level until water changes?

 

[santanzchild]

Mine hovers around 7.8 and I have seen no ill effects from it.

 

[clownfish06]

Thanks.. Now if nitrite will ever hit 0 I will be ready for couple water changes then live things I can actually see in tank.

 

[JoelA7]

Don't add anything. Let it settle in.

 

[clownfish06]

Dont add anything? Talking about now or right after it cycles?

 

[JoelA7]

What I'm suggesting is to finish the cycle and then wait a little while and see how the tank normalizes. It may be your environment leads toward 7.8 and if so ok. That's probably good. If stable you can support so much.

 

[clownfish06]

Finally... 0 ammonia...0 nitrite but 40 nitrate..ph 8.2....salinity 1.0253 Now water changes over 2-3 days and clean up crew?