RRRR! What to believe?!

[ReiferMadness]

I went to test my water this morning (2 weeks after initial set up) I did a water test tonight and here are my readings.

pH: 8.2
Ammonia .25
Nitrate: 80
Nitirite: 1.0
Salinity: 1.022

I'm running a 47g, 50lbs LR, 40 lbs. live sand with a Rena xP2 filter.

Here's my question... am I on par for where I should be at this point in my cycle? I've read SO many things that tell me to add this or that chemical... "add buffer", "add calcium", "add iodine", "add reef carbonate"...

I am just at a place that I want to find out if I'm on course. I have no livestock and no corals in my tank.

I trust the members on here more than any LFS that I've been to. Thanks in advance.

 

[jbird69]

I think it looks like a good cycle process.

 

[patsfan1130]

Sounds very normal. be patient. Keep testing. and above all else. take it slow.

 

[sunfish11]

You are doing fine. Don't add anything or do anything at this point. Just be patient and let the cycle finish.

Lisa

 

[ReiferMadness]

So, don't add any chemicals at this point and just let it ride out?

 

[klaytos]

I'd say you are doing fine. I would wait until after your cycle to add any chemicals, even then you might not need them. It looks like you are on the back side of your cycle, ammonia will wrap up, as will nitrites. Ideally, nitrates will wane as well. Then do a decent water change when you detect only nitrates for awhile and you'll be good to go. I think many would recommend you boost you SG to 1.024-1.026 (when you do water change will work) if you intend to make a reef tank.

Once your cycle is completely done you can add a clean-up crew and/or a fish or two, then you may want to start testing for calcium, alkalinity, etc. and go from there.

In summary; stay the course you are doing perfectly fine IMO.

 

[sassafrass]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14128291#post14128291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReiferMadness
So, don't add any chemicals at this point and just let it ride out?

Exactly !!! And when your cycle is over don't add ANYTHING to your tank yhat you can't measure. And above all else don't take advice from anyone that stands to make money off of the answer they give!!!

 

[ReiferMadness]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14128336#post14128336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sassafrass
Exactly !!! And when your cycle is over don't add ANYTHING to your tank yhat you can't measure. And above all else don't take advice from anyone that stands to make money off of the answer they give!!!

That is going to be my mantra ...

 

[ReiferMadness]

I should have known when the girl at the LFS said, "Once you get all of these in your tank we'll throw in a couple of damsels and see how they do. They're only $6." I asked her what do I do if I don't want to keep a damsel in my tank? Her reply? "Well if they don't live you won't have them in there."

You bet.

 

[jbird69]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14128397#post14128397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReiferMadness
I should have known when the girl at the LFS said, "Once you get all of these in your tank we'll throw in a couple of damsels and see how they do. They're only $6." I asked her what do I do if I don't want to keep a damsel in my tank? Her reply? "Well if they don't live you won't have them in there."

You bet.

Hah! Thats terrible! However, damsels are excellent first fish and are known to survive and expedite a cycle (especially in a fish only system). getting them out can be tricky and they can become aggressive. Some of them are quite beautiful! I still have 3 that remain from my cycle. Tho my domino needs to go.

 

[MotherFish]

I agree 100% with all the very good advice above by RC members... and disagree 100% with everything you've been told by that LFS.

I sincerely hope that there's other store nearby so that you don't have to go back to this one.

*Edit* I don't agree with the practice of using live fish to cycle a tank. It is unnecessary and cruel to the fish. A dead shrimp or even the decomposition from the LR will start your cycle without involving any fish.
I know you're not advocating that either, jbird. I just thought it should be mentioned.

 

[ReiferMadness]

There is. We have 4 SW LFS within 15 miles of my home. My preferred LFS, the woman that owns it is EXTREMELY knowledgeable and is right up front. I've known her for over 4 years and she helped me with my 75g and 110g years ago. (guess I've forgotten a TON in my time off)

I went to see her today with a water sample and she's going to be gone for the next 3 weeks... I decided to go to another one (stupid) and ran into them testing my water and telling me about the buffer, iodine, calcium, "reef starter", etc. etc.

Sooooooo $40 later.... I brought home the waste of cash chemicals. I didn't put them in right off and instead decided to wait to talk to RC.

Oh well, I kinda look at it as a costly lesson. No chems... let cycle run it's course.