New shipment at 10 tonight
- Thread starter kp1917
- Start date
Bax
Premium Member
Sounds good KP! Be patient still. It may take a while for the nitrates to come down. I am two weeks since my ammo dropped and still watching high nitrate readings (30 - 40).
I've got chato in my HOB fuge and I am looking for some Gracillaria to add to it for nitrate export.
Things will still die off too so keep a close eye. Goods news is that things you haven't even noticed yet will start to pop up as well.
Good luck!
I've got chato in my HOB fuge and I am looking for some Gracillaria to add to it for nitrate export.
Things will still die off too so keep a close eye. Goods news is that things you haven't even noticed yet will start to pop up as well.
Good luck!
hdtran
New member
KP,
Your cycle is nearly completed. Let the ammonia and nitrites wend their way to zero naturally (will happen pretty quickly). You may do another change to keep your nitrates under control, though I would expect your rock, sand, and macroalgae to take charge of your nitrates. Once ammonia and nitrites are at zero, give TBS a phone call to arrange for part II.
You will get a diatom bloom, and a small hair algae bloom. Those go away (esp. with all the hermits in the cleanup crew).
If you're going to keep corals, I would also test alkalinity and calcium. Supplement alk & calcium per test results. You only need to run calcium & alk. tests about 1/week.
Don't forget to do a periodic water change to help replenish trace elements in your tank and export crud.
Your cycle is nearly completed. Let the ammonia and nitrites wend their way to zero naturally (will happen pretty quickly). You may do another change to keep your nitrates under control, though I would expect your rock, sand, and macroalgae to take charge of your nitrates. Once ammonia and nitrites are at zero, give TBS a phone call to arrange for part II.
You will get a diatom bloom, and a small hair algae bloom. Those go away (esp. with all the hermits in the cleanup crew).
If you're going to keep corals, I would also test alkalinity and calcium. Supplement alk & calcium per test results. You only need to run calcium & alk. tests about 1/week.
Don't forget to do a periodic water change to help replenish trace elements in your tank and export crud.
JEFFTHEREEFER
New member
kp thanks for this thread--I have been fighting the same things you have--Im now on day 15 and things are starting to come down like they should--How are things looking for you now??
You must have gotten your package 2 days before me-
You must have gotten your package 2 days before me-
Jeff,
It's day 14 for me and I tested late last night and got the same readings that I did about 12 hours earlier which was posted as day 13. I am curious to see what I will find tonight when I get home from work. I would like to see the Nitrites and Nitrates come down so I can get the second shipment ordered.
I also plan on only letting my rock sit out for only a few minutes this time to limit the die off. I'll deal with bad hitchikers in the tank.
How is it going for you?
KP
It's day 14 for me and I tested late last night and got the same readings that I did about 12 hours earlier which was posted as day 13. I am curious to see what I will find tonight when I get home from work. I would like to see the Nitrites and Nitrates come down so I can get the second shipment ordered.
I also plan on only letting my rock sit out for only a few minutes this time to limit the die off. I'll deal with bad hitchikers in the tank.
How is it going for you?
KP
JEFFTHEREEFER
New member
Its getting better---I didnt let any of my rocks sit out--as i was afraid of die off--i figured i would just deal w the hitchhikers-as its a smaller tank and i can catch them--
for me if i move the sand at all--my ammonia shoots up--if i leave it alone--it contines to fall--i am under one now and staying there so im hoping as you are that something will change by the time i get home tonight-- sorry for the book--not trying to highjack your thread here
for me if i move the sand at all--my ammonia shoots up--if i leave it alone--it contines to fall--i am under one now and staying there so im hoping as you are that something will change by the time i get home tonight-- sorry for the book--not trying to highjack your thread here
Bax
Premium Member
KP
That's what I did. After the ammo dropped I wnet to 10% changes weekly. My nitrates soared for two to three weeks (30 -40). And now, approaching week four with TBS the nitrates are dropping again (20-30). Ammo 0 since week one. So some "easy" corals and maybe a fish soon!
Patients is a virtue, especially in this hobby.
That's what I did. After the ammo dropped I wnet to 10% changes weekly. My nitrates soared for two to three weeks (30 -40). And now, approaching week four with TBS the nitrates are dropping again (20-30). Ammo 0 since week one. So some "easy" corals and maybe a fish soon!
Patients is a virtue, especially in this hobby.
Day 15 - It's almost over
Time: 7:50pm
Temp: 79.4 (lights have been on for a while)
Ammonia: barely a trace
Nitrites: .5
Nitrates: 20
PH: 8
Salinity: 1.0235
Checked Calcium for the first time around 360 to 400, kinda lost track but promise to do better next time.
Richard saw my numbers from day 13 and said he'd ship part II next week.
AWESOME!
KP
Time: 7:50pm
Temp: 79.4 (lights have been on for a while)
Ammonia: barely a trace
Nitrites: .5
Nitrates: 20
PH: 8
Salinity: 1.0235
Checked Calcium for the first time around 360 to 400, kinda lost track but promise to do better next time.
Richard saw my numbers from day 13 and said he'd ship part II next week.
AWESOME!
KP
JEFFTHEREEFER
New member
Looking good kp---I am still stuck--I pulled rock out and found a couple of sponges to remove--also just went to fish store and bought some of the bio-spira----I hope i can finish my cycle this next week as i just found out I will be outta town for 3 weeks
Jeff,
With the Bio-Spira, I would do all of your rock cleaning, do a good water change then dump in the B-S and hope that your levels stay good enough so that you don't have to do another water change for a couple of days. I believe that you want the B-S to get a chance to get in, mixed up and attached to everything.
What are your levels now?
KP
With the Bio-Spira, I would do all of your rock cleaning, do a good water change then dump in the B-S and hope that your levels stay good enough so that you don't have to do another water change for a couple of days. I believe that you want the B-S to get a chance to get in, mixed up and attached to everything.
What are your levels now?
KP
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