Cycling Tank - First Test Results

[nigam]

I filled my tank with Saltwater, and added live rock that had been sitting in rubbermaid containers for a week or two, along with live sand that contained at least a few snails and a sea urchin.

I did my first test 48 hours later (now) and have the following results:

Salinity = 1.0245
Ph = 7.58
Free Ammonia = 0.02
Total Ammonia = 0.1
Nitrites = 0.5
Nitrates = 2 to 5

Does this seem ok? What should I be looking for next?

Thanks
Alok

 

[jellyous]

Did you have a heater in the rubbermaid containers while the live rock was in there? This really isn't that good if you didn't because everything would of died and you will have a fouled tank for a while. Judging by you saying you filled your tank with saltwater this is a new tank setup. If it is, you need to let it cycle and don't add anything alive to the tank for about a week.

 

[bertoni]

Those numbers seem fine. I assume the containers have heaters and circulation, given the numbers. The rock is probably cured at this point, so you could consider putting it into the tank in a few days or so.

 

[nigam]

I had heaters in the rubbermaid container, but no circulation. Everything is in the saltwater tank now.

Should I look for the ammonia/nitrite numbers to get worse before they go to zero?

 

[bertoni]

There's no way to know. Live rock is highly variable in the amount of organic debris that comes with it.

 

[nigam]

Thanks - I'll see how long it takes to get to 0

 

[drummereef]

Let us know how it goes. Sounds like a good start.

 

[nigam]

As of now,

- Free Ammonia looks like 0
- Total Ammonia is still close to 0.1 (I'm not that good at matching the colors)
- Nitrates is 20 (up from 2-5 last week)

Also, I saw a snail crawling around. I'm going to wait another week or two...

 

[virginiadiver69]

Sounds like you are getting ready for a water change.

 

[nigam]

I haven't done the water change yet, but a few questions:

1. My "free ammonia" is 0; "total ammonia" around 0.5. Should I wait until both of these go to 0?

2. How high should I let the nitrates go before I need to change the water? They are steady at 20. Also, is one big water change better, or more, small water changes?

3. I have snails in the live sand now. What comes next when the tank is cycled? Should I set up the refugium first, or add fish first? (Or something else!)

Thanks again for all the help I've received here.

Alok

 

[bertoni]

1. I would wait until both are zero for a few weeks before adding any animals.

2. I'd do 20% changes, and start now, if I had the energy.

3. I'd add the refugium first, for extra filtration.

 

[peterink]

If can, add the refugium first. Then let it run for a day or 2. The name of the game is to make sure the water is very stable. If everything is running consistantly, then u can add live fishes (not too many at a time).

Remember, everytime u add a fish to the tank, the nitrate will fluctuate, then stabilize again.

I am new too. My tank is still cycling, now its coming to a week already.

 

[peterink]

Cleaning crew shoud be introduced to your reef to start their jobs.

How about your sump? Chaeto yet?

Any pictures of your display and sump?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

am i reading that right? pH 7.58, that is low you want to be around 8.2-8.3

 

[nigam]

I'll get pictures eventually. At the moment, everything seems to be going well other than some brown algae.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9323434#post9323434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by peterink
Cleaning crew shoud be introduced to your reef to start their jobs.

How about your sump? Chaeto yet?

Any pictures of your display and sump?

 

[nigam]

It's in the right range now. I'm not sure why the early readings were low.

THanks
Alok

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9323623#post9323623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
am i reading that right? pH 7.58, that is low you want to be around 8.2-8.3