Water Parameters

[neiltus]

Curious question...and this kinda makes sense to me, but would prefer thoughts from more experienced people.

Set up my tank using RODI water reading 0ppm (see link in sig to build thread) over the past week. It's a 72 gallon DT, ~95 gallon system.

Received 75# of cultured live pukani rock from TBS yesterday, it shipped yesterday morning and was in the tank by 4pm.

Did some baseline water tests using new Salifert kits this morning.

Temp = 76-77.8
PH = 7.93 via calibrated apex
KH = 8 dkh
NH4 = 0
NO2 = .1
NO3 = 10
PO4 = .5

Questions -

1) Is it possible that the tank has cycled, but will see an additional NH4 spike (most likely) as stuff dies off?

2) Water change necessary today because of NO3 and PO4? Or am I 'chasing' keeping alive stuff that should die off and prolonging the cycle in question 1?

 

[hkgar]

Don't worry about NO3 and PO4 at this point. You still have NO2, so the tank has not cycled. Ammonia and Nitrite need to be at 0 (zero) for the tank to have completed the cycle. What have you been feeding it to create the cycle? Is the 75#'s of Pukani rock the only rock you have?

If the bacteria is sufficient, than as stuff dies off you should not see any change in NO4 or NO2, but remember that the bacteria will continue to balance out based on the amount of bio-load it needs to deal with. The more load the more bacteria. That's why the overriding rule in reefing is GO SLOW. As you add fish, coral and other bio load your bacteria needs to be able to keep up and increase at the same time.

 

[neiltus]

Don't worry about NO3 and PO4 at this point. You still have NO2, so the tank has not cycled. Ammonia and Nitrite need to be at 0 (zero) for the tank to have completed the cycle. What have you been feeding it to create the cycle? Is the 75#'s of Pukani rock the only rock you have?

No fish (unless some came on the rock and are still hiding). Rock only + New Carib sea sand. The 75# of Pukani is the only rock. No feeding yet. Was thinking of putting a few grains of marine S for crabs/shrimp that came on the rocks, but assume that they will eat whatever off the rocks for the next few days.

 

[fishchef]

You really don't need to do partials during your cycle. Doubt you've cycled. You probably will see your ammonia spike and you should have no reading of nitrite which will indicate you've cycled. If your planning on corals I'd invest in a Hanna PO4 test. Chemical/color tests for phosphate are not accurate such as your Salifert. The phosphate reading you posted is more than likely much higher.

 

[hkgar]

"g) don't get 'miracle potions' of bacteria and for gosh sake, don't get a fish. You're good just with the natural dieoff from your rock, but if you just have to do something proactive, drop 4 flakes of fishfood in a day until you spot ammonia in your daily tests. Keep feeding imaginary fish daily---and 5 days after you fail to provoke ammonia, you are cycled"

From this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632

 

[gone fishin]

I am assuming since it came from TBS the rock was shipped fully submerged. If so I would speculate that the nitrite will be gone shortly and you could be ready soon. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[neiltus]

I am assuming since it came from TBS the rock was shipped fully submerged. If so I would speculate that the nitrite will be gone shortly and you could be ready soon. Good luck just my 2 cents.

Yes, was shipped fully submerged. Others report little NH4 if any. I am prepped to do a water change if there is any NH4. I assume when NO2 levels to zero I am done w cycle.

The PO4 worries me...should I start some GFO or have it ready? I know I am going to have to address the NO3 on a water change which should help the PO4.

There is quite an assortment of crabs/shrimp in/on the rock...and I am trying NOT to send them to their graves.

 

[Green Chromis]

:fish1: Why do you want to kill your crabs and shrimp? Do a water change and buy a Hanna PO4 checker. You can start using GFO and carbon right away if you want to, it will only help if you do have PO4 at .5, as you want to start removing any PO4 as soon as possible. :fish1:

 

[neiltus]

typo on the crabs and shrimp...oops

 

[gone fishin]

Yes, was shipped fully submerged. Others report little NH4 if any. I am prepped to do a water change if there is any NH4. I assume when NO2 levels to zero I am done w cycle.

The PO4 worries me...should I start some GFO or have it ready? I know I am going to have to address the NO3 on a water change which should help the PO4.

There is quite an assortment of crabs/shrimp in/on the rock...and I am trying NOT to send them to their graves.

You could run some GFO if you want. I think I would wait until I do a water change then see what the numbers are. Good luck.

 

[neiltus]

As of this morning, NH4 is zero and NO2 is zero. One week with TBS rock...is that abnormal and not to be trusted?

Might add some cleanup crew. Thoughts?

 

[CarrieB]

Doesn't seem unreasonable given the rock was shipped in water. I think you could add a CUC.


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