Very confused about cycle water parameters

[srpntmage]

I set up my tank with dry rock, Arag Alive sand and a few pieces of live rock 6 days ago. I have been feeding the tank a small amount of fish food daily. Below are the daily water parameters:

Day 1
PH7. 8-7.9
NH3 0.5
NO2 .25
NO3 5.0

Day 2
PH 7.8-7.9
NH3 1.0
NO2 2
NO3 10

Day 3
PH 7.8
NH3 2.0
NO2 2.0
NO3 10

Day 4
PH 7.8
NH3 2.0
NO2 2.0
NO3 10

Day 5
PH 7.8
NH3 3
NO2 2
NO3 80

Using the API master kit. Does this seem right? Ammonia and Nitrites were present from day one, and now, with rising ammonia, Nitrates are jumping way up suddenly. Anyone know what is going on?

 

[electrotech]

normal cycle, stop putting fish food in there and the NH3 will go to 0, NO2 will go to 0, and NO3 will rise once this happens cycle complete. The food is just breaking down causing ammonia. Need to do water change also NO3 high already.

 

[srpntmage]

Ok, great. I have read that once NH3 hits zero, that I should feed more food to keep the bacteria fed. Is this correct?

 

[srpntmage]

Also, when should I add my purigen and chemi-pure elite? I have a 29 biocube with a media rack and was told that these, and filter floss should go into it.

 

[disc1]

I set up my tank with dry rock, Arag Alive sand and a few pieces of live rock 6 days ago. I have been feeding the tank a small amount of fish food daily. Below are the daily water parameters:

Day 1
PH7. 8-7.9
NH3 0.5
NO2 .25
NO3 5.0

Day 2
PH 7.8-7.9
NH3 1.0
NO2 2
NO3 10

Day 3
PH 7.8
NH3 2.0
NO2 2.0
NO3 10

Day 4
PH 7.8
NH3 2.0
NO2 2.0
NO3 10

Day 5
PH 7.8
NH3 3
NO2 2
NO3 80

Using the API master kit. Does this seem right? Ammonia and Nitrites were present from day one, and now, with rising ammonia, Nitrates are jumping way up suddenly. Anyone know what is going on?

Since you're showing nitrite I wouldn't worry too much about the nitrate reading. Nitrite will fool a nitrate test and make it read way high.

 

[Dmorty217]

Also, when should I add my purigen and chemi-pure elite? I have a 29 biocube with a media rack and was told that these, and filter floss should go into it.

Once your nitrites hit 0 it's possible to add fish since most aren't impacted by nitrates unless very high. The filter floss should be in the water now, although I would suggest a sponge media of some sort (much easier to clean and you don't have to keep buying it like filter floss) Pure elite and chemipure are beneficial for polishing the water and helping corals mainly. They will need to be replaced monthly or more depending on bioload and feeding habits

 

[Sk8r]

Best once your cycle finishes, add a few cleanup crew, then more, continuing very limited (a few flakes) feeding for 4 weeks. In the meanwhile, quarantine your first fish for those 4 weeks to make sure you don't introduce a parasite into your sandbed and then have to go through a 12 week wait instead of 4.