Water cycle, Ammonia Levels, Water Changes

[mterrace]

Hi Again....

I have a new 90 gallon DT, with a 55 gallon fuge...I am cycling the tank/curing the LR and my ammonia is between 2.5 and 5....(Nitrites are at 0.2)

My make up water container is about 30 gallons...so when I am doing water changes, I am doing 30 gallon water changes....the ammonia is only coming down to about 2.5....

Is that acceptable -- or is 2.5 still too high? (I read that you should do a water change when Ammonia gets above 1). My RO/DI unit makes the water in about 15-18 hours....so I can do 30 gallons/day water changes....

I put 130# of uncured LR in the tank on Thursday....Since then I have done 2 - ~30 gallon water changes....Is this what I should be doing?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[mterrace]

bump

 

[Tehrab]

A new tank with uncured rock is going to need to cycle. Trying to keep your cycling tank within stable water parameters is a lesson in futility.

I'd say hold off on water changes for now and read the stickies at the top of this forum for the articles on the cycling process.

 

[alexb518]

You got it chief. that's the key to uncured LR--water changes.

 

[supertech3]

just be patient and stop doing changes it will come down after the rock has cured, this is part of the process just leave it be, check water parameters in two weeks and then see if you are ready

 

[bbehring]

you will find that there are varrying opnions on weather or not to waterchange during the cycle/curing of live rock. I personally changed the water every 3 to 4 days during my cycle. Based on input from WaterKeeper, it is better to get as much of the dieoff and organics out of the water. I aslo run both my skimmers during the cycle. Do read the stickies at the top of this forum they are a must read.