Cycling

[jaylam]

Hi All,

COul you have a look at my test results and tell me how im doing please:

Day 1 -
Ph 8.1
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

Day 2 - Live rock added
Ph 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

Day 3 -
Ph 8.4
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

Nothing seems to be happening, is there something else I should be doing?

 

[-Nemo-]

It looks like you had a mini cycle from adding more rock. Be patient, it's on its way

 

[jaylam]

It looks like you had a mini cycle from adding more rock. Be patient, it's on its way

What am I waiting for to happen, im a bit confused as I have read so many peoples different versions of cycling on the net

 

[-Nemo-]

A cycle is complete when ammonia is absolute 0 and nitRITe is absolute 0.

 

[jaylam]

A cycle is complete when ammonia is absolute 0 and nitRITe is absolute 0.

Thats what I thought but i keep reading on other pages that something should spike then the nitrites drop, maybe that happened and I didnt notice it.

Anyway looks like im almost there in that case.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[seffieuk]

Nah, as Nemo says in the salt water cycle you first get ammonia spike, then this disappears and you get a nitrite spike and then last a nitrate spike - when you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and have had nitrates you cycle is concluded and you do a large water change - wait 24 hours, re-test and if ammonia and nitrite are 0 and the nitrate is below 10 you can go get your cuc

Keep testing and when the ammonia and nitrate disappear and they will woo hoo...........

Seffie x

 

[jaylam]

Nah, as Nemo says in the salt water cycle you first get ammonia spike, then this disappears and you get a nitrite spike and then last a nitrate spike - when you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and have had nitrates you cycle is concluded and you do a large water change - wait 24 hours, re-test and if ammonia and nitrite are 0 and the nitrate is below 10 you can go get your cuc

Keep testing and when the ammonia and nitrate disappear and they will woo hoo...........

Seffie x

ah ok i understand, will keep testing, cant wait to get some fish...

 

[Arlanda7]

Hey there,

I know what you mean, I am also cycling my aquarium with live rock and I am approaching week three. My amonia level was the highest it has been the other day, I tested it today and it is at zero. My Nitrite levels will now start to build and hopefully should drop in the next week or two.

I found this graph on a forum which may help you too.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=134114=The+Saltwater+Nitrogen+Cycle+a+brief+explanation+of+the+basics/

 

[ben1987]

dont rush it mate, cos you will just end up ith dead ones

 

[Arlanda7]

Yeh, everywhere I have read says take it slow... the slower the better otherwise you will come un-stuck. Resist the temptation and take it easy and you will be fine with the end results.

 

[jaylam]

Well I think im almost done as the ammonia and nitrite have sat at 0 for the past 3 days but my nitrate is still high range 50 and low range 10.

Can anyone help/advise on what I should do.

 

[ben1987]

nitrates are removed by the water change. change 40-50% with new salted RO, test again. then if in 2-3 days ammonia and nitrite have sat at steady zero and nitrates are low then add some CUC, see how they do for a week...then get a fish.

 

[seffieuk]

Woo hoo as Ben said, time for that big water change to get rid of those nitrates

Seffie x

 

[Arlanda7]

So when Amonia is 0 and Nitrite is zero, you should do as much as a 40/50% water change?

 

[seffieuk]

So when Amonia is 0 and Nitrite is zero, you should do as much as a 40/50% water change?

Well, this very much depends on the siz of tank and how high the nitrates are.

On a smaller tank with high nitrates where a large cycle has taken place, yes 40%/50%

However some people have a mini cycle and their nitrates are well below 10, so no water change would be needed and they could go get their cuc

Seffie x