What water params accompany a cycle?

[mallorieGgator]

Wondering what water params are right before and during a cycle.
My params are:
Calcium: 460ppm
pH:~8.0
Ammonia: between 0 and .25 ppm
Phosphate: ~.25 ppm
Nitrates/Nitrites: 0 ppm

Is it normal to have a phosphate level like that after only 2 days of set-up with no fish or inverts?

[cshutchinson]

Wondering what water params are right before and during a cycle.
My params are:
Calcium: 460ppm
pH:~8.0
Ammonia: between 0 and .25 ppm
Phosphate: ~.25 ppm
Nitrates/Nitrites: 0 ppm

Is it normal to have a phosphate level like that after only 2 days of set-up with no fish or inverts?

I would assume with this number, you are not using RO/DI water?

Phosphates you get for free in your tap water. Not reducing this number will help fuel the growth of various types of algae.

Phosphates can also leach out of live rock and sand.

As your tank cycles, you will see ammonia rise, then nitrite, then nitrate. Eventually the ammonia will go to zero, along with the nitrites. Then the nitrates become the number you need to manage and keep as low as you can with water changes, etc.

Hope this helps.

[mallorieGgator]

It darn well better be RO water. That's what I paid for. I'll try to re-test again and see if I messed up the test.

[mallorieGgator]

So I re-did the phosphate test and go a zero reading. I forgot to let the first test sit for 3 minutes. lol.