Nitrate question

[Capt_Cully]

Can't believe I'm asking his but occasionally even a simple question is easier dealt with out loud. I've read a bunch about it and its getting confusing. After 7 years, I'm completing my first cycle.

Ammonia zero, nitrites zero, nitrates are up there. Test kits are a bit vague when you're greater than say, 20ppm.

I'm doing the fishless cycle with ammonia. At this point I'm just pouring a shot of ammonia in there once a day to keep fueling the notrosomonas that convert ammonia to nitrite. Some sources say once Nitrites are zero, you're done. Just do a 30-50% waterchange.

Is this correct? Its always been my assumption that once NITRATES were zero you were done. Am I right? Or should I just keep changing our water and run Purigen or something???

Or do I sit tight and hold course for a few more weeks?

You'd think his would be rudimentary but there are so many conflicting sources.

Thanks

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Generally, the main things that will remove nitrates (in this case) are water changes, macro algae (chaeto), or nuisance algae. Don't monkey with purigen. Big water changes and a big ball o' chaeto will get you headed in the right direction.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ok, I'm not interested in adding corals just yet. Going to let it settle in for a while. When should I consider adding a fish or two? Nitrates at zero? Below 10ppm? Etc.

 

[IronMan72]

Once Ammonia and Nitrites are zero and Nitrates start to rise then the cycle is complete. Do a water change and start stocking. Slowly of course. Sounds like you're ready to go.

 

[tmz]

For fish once the ammonia is zero for a week I prefer two in case of a second spike or something, but I'm cautious. There should be no nitrite at that point and in any case it won't hurt the fish in salt water.
Nitrate takes longer to go down as anaerobic activity picks up when the facultative bacteria( like oxygen and then nitrate) use up the oxygen in the bacterial mulm and / or create hypoxic areas in the substrate and rock and turn to the oxygen in NO3.Nitrate won't hurt the fish unless perhaps it's extremely high .say over 80 to 100ppm, even then I've not seen issues.

 

[pascal32]

third, ammonia and nitrite need to go to 0, that is the cycle. the end product is nitrate. the reduce nitrate some larger water changes will do the trick.

for an SPS tank I would aim 1-5, LPS 5-10, though that is my opinion more than anything,

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ok gents, thanks. Not looking to add corals yet, but its time for the fish to start coming home after 11 months.

 

[Capt_Cully]

What about snails and cleaners? Always been my understanding that they are exceptionally succeptable to higher nitrates. Like I've said, I've seen a lot of different articles and studies regarding acceptable levels for fish, inverts, and corals (yes I know corals are inverts). Most of the info is so variant I'd like to know what you guys use as your cut off for snails and crabs?

 

[block head]

i'd say under 20 . and you should be ok. closer to 0 is better of course. i'm also assuming you quit dosing ammonia? if it were me, i'd get the fish in and see how the tank holds up. adding a bunch of fish/and feeding might cause a swing or two. fish hold up well to ammonia, inverts like to die without provocation. they'll benefit from more stable/mature conditions.

 

[pascal32]

Ive added cleanup Snails for post cycle algae with higher nitrates (20) without issue