tank cycled for 3 days. nitrates and nitrites high.

[banthonyb71]

I just set up a new biocube and I didnt test until about 3 days in. I tested and my nitrites and nitrates both tested off the charts and my ammonia was undetectable.

I added no ammonia source into the tank so why are the nitrates already this high?

[Sk8r]

Did you have live rock? Dieoff can do that, which is a good thing. Just be patient: once you have nitrate, ammonia will come. And go.

[Turbomark]

Don't worry about testing nitrate at this point. You can begin testing once your nitrite starts to lower significantly. Did you ever test for ammonia?

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[banthonyb71]

Did you ever test for ammonia?

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yeah it tested 0

[Turbomark]

Wait for it to cycle through the nitrite, as long as that processes reasonably quickly you should be good to go after a big water change to knock down the nitrates. If you're nervous you can always manually dose ammonia and watch it process to make sure your cycle is solid.

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[banthonyb71]

Did you have live rock? Dieoff can do that, which is a good thing. Just be patient: once you have nitrate, ammonia will come. And go.

yeah, Im in no rush it all. Just wanted to see where everything was. Just curious why ammonia was skipped. I started with BRS dry rock only. Added a couple pieces of live rubble rock but that was after I tested.

[banthonyb71]

any ideas why no ammonia?

[banthonyb71]

Did you have live rock? Dieoff can do that, which is a good thing. Just be patient: once you have nitrate, ammonia will come. And go.

maybe from the live sand came the nitrates?

[mcgyvr]

maybe from the live sand came the nitrates?

Yes..
And thanks for providing that missing and important detail...

[banthonyb71]

Don't worry about testing nitrate at this point. You can begin testing once your nitrite starts to lower significantly. Did you ever test for ammonia?

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Today I tested


6/29/17
Ammonia 0 ppm
Phosphate .08 ppm
PH 8.0
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 7.5 ppm



from day I first tested

6/16/17
Ammonia 0 ppm
Phosphate 0 ppm
PH 8.0
Nitrite (Beyond range of test kit) = to or > than 5 ppm
Nitrate 20 ppm

[Turbomark]

Looks good. My opinion is that I'd like to see ammonia processed into nitrate in just a couple of days. I'd dose to a couple ppm and watch to make sure the cycle completes properly. But that's my opinion, others will say that you're good to go.

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