New Tank cycling results

Daddyrawg · 05/22/2018, 10:51 AM

Been 2 wks into cycling.. have LR LS red sea salt water and rodi water toppoffs.. been dosing everyday of macrobacter 7 for 2 wks as recommeneded..

Don't these results seem odd?

Ammonia 0.50 Nitrite 0 (really?) Nitrate 10 ( really?)

nereefpat · 05/22/2018, 11:02 AM

Have you added any type of nitrogen source?

What has been the schedule for that?

Daddyrawg · 05/22/2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Have you added any type of nitrogen source?

What has been the schedule for that?

Like what? what would be nitrogen source?

nereefpat · 05/22/2018, 11:47 AM

Cycling a tank refers to the nitrogen cycle.

You have to add fish food,pure ammonia, frozen cocktail shrimp, or some other form of nitrogen to start the cycle.

Daddyrawg · 05/22/2018, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Cycling a tank refers to the nitrogen cycle.

You have to add fish food,pure ammonia, frozen cocktail shrimp, or some other form of nitrogen to start the cycle.

would dr tims one and only be ok for the ammonia? or should I just get fish food?

Daddyrawg · 05/22/2018, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

would dr tims one and only be ok for the ammonia? or should I just get fish food?

I can just drop a shrimp in there, would 1 be enough?

tjm9331 · 05/22/2018, 12:40 PM

one shrimp should be plenty, you just need a something to decay in the tank and as it decays it releases ammonia, you can achieve the same thing by just adding pure ammonia to the tank.

Test daily, once you ammonia spikes (you'll know) then the cycle will begin, the ammonia will be turned to nitrites and those will spike(ammonia should be close to 0) then the nitrites will be converted to nitrates and those will spike (nitrites again should be close to 0 if not 0)

Once your nitrates spike perform a 50% water change and you should be good to go.

nereefpat · 05/22/2018, 12:50 PM

I'm not sure if the Dr Tim's stuff contains any ammonia.

tjm's plan is a good one.

MarkW64 · 05/22/2018, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Cycling a tank refers to the nitrogen cycle.

You have to add fish food,pure ammonia, frozen cocktail shrimp, or some other form of nitrogen to start the cycle.

He doesn't need to add ammonia -- he already has ammonia according to his test results.

Daddyrawg · 05/22/2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkW64

He doesn't need to add ammonia -- he already has ammonia according to his test results.

Ya, I did show some ammonia.. I added the shrimp anyway. I have noticed a snail roaming around, I think he is contributing to the slight ammonia present in tank.

tjm9331 · 05/23/2018, 07:04 AM

just to be on the safe side, if you've already added the shrimp, leave it in there and let it decay a bit. Test daily and see how it affects your readings, if your ammonia increases then you know you're not cycled yet. If it remains the same and only your nitrates increase then you are most likely cycled.

Just out of curiosity what test kit are you using? I have heard/read that the API test kits can give a false positive of around 0.5ppm ammonia.

mcgyvr · 05/23/2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkW64

He doesn't need to add ammonia -- he already has ammonia according to his test results.

Correct..
No need to add ammonia..
The shrimp is ONLY going to serve to increase nitrates and require more work (more water changes) post cycle to drop them to decent numbers..
Remove the shrimp..

You also started with live rock and when doing so you should expect little to no cycle at all..

If in another week ammonia still shows as .5ppm I'd chalk that up to the very typical false reading and would just move forward with stocking the tank slowly..
I actually think its likely that your cycle is over or there wasn't one at all and that .5 is just a false reading because you started with live rock and have been using mb7...

nereefpat · 05/23/2018, 07:32 AM

Never adding any nitrogen, I don't think you can say that the tank has cycled. I would chalk the nitrates up to the "live" sand if it came from a bag. Live rock has different meanings too. I agree that if it's live rock from a local tank, that has stayed wet, and you use enough of it, then you won't see much of a cycle.

I don't have any experience with the bacteria in a bottle stuff, but I still think the best management practice is to always add nitrogen and test over the course of a couple weeks. That way you can make sure the tank can safely support life.

MarkW64 · 05/23/2018, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Never adding any nitrogen, I don't think you can say that the tank has cycled.

As I pointed out in a response to another thread the OP started the day before this one — he may have added nitrogen in the form of die-off from his live rock. Daddyrawg hasn’t told us much about the live rock or sand he used.

Not all tanks “cycle”. IMO it’s unfortunate that it has become common to say that all tanks must cycle. What all tanks “must” have is a sufficient bacterial population. Tanks started with live rock may never show a cycle.

Unfortunately since the OP didn’t do any testing for the first two weeks it’s hard to diagnose what is going on. Test results going forward will likely clarify things...

Daddyrawg · 05/23/2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Correct..
No need to add ammonia..
The shrimp is ONLY going to serve to increase nitrates and require more work (more water changes) post cycle to drop them to decent numbers..
Remove the shrimp..

You also started with live rock and when doing so you should expect little to no cycle at all..

If in another week ammonia still shows as .5ppm I'd chalk that up to the very typical false reading and would just move forward with stocking the tank slowly..
I actually think its likely that your cycle is over or there wasn't one at all and that .5 is just a false reading because you started with live rock and have been using mb7...

YA I started with 90lbs of LR and 80 lbs of LS although seamed dry in the bag to me when delivered (The sand).. I was thinking of adding fish food to the system, but maybe I better test results tonight. I use API for my test kit

Daddyrawg · 05/24/2018, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Correct..
No need to add ammonia..
The shrimp is ONLY going to serve to increase nitrates and require more work (more water changes) post cycle to drop them to decent numbers..
Remove the shrimp..

You also started with live rock and when doing so you should expect little to no cycle at all..

If in another week ammonia still shows as .5ppm I'd chalk that up to the very typical false reading and would just move forward with stocking the tank slowly..
I actually think its likely that your cycle is over or there wasn't one at all and that .5 is just a false reading because you started with live rock and have been using mb7...

Tested today, still .5 ammonia maybe .25.. the dam colors are so similar.. nitrites 0 but feals like nitrates are increasing.. turning on protein skimmer finally.. will do a 10% water change friday as I am not big on those.

mcgyvr · 05/24/2018, 06:22 AM

Your tank is ready to go... Like always start slow and enjoy..

Daddyrawg · 05/24/2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Your tank is ready to go... Like always start slow and enjoy..

Good to hear, I will definatley be taking it slow

Daddyrawg · 05/25/2018, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Your tank is ready to go... Like always start slow and enjoy..

water change helped..nitrates are low

E46er · 05/26/2018, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

Tested today, still .5 ammonia maybe .25.. the dam colors are so similar.. nitrites 0 but feals like nitrates are increasing.. turning on protein skimmer finally.. will do a 10% water change friday as I am not big on those.

you don't like doing water changes?
most people don't enjoy it but its something that needs to be done. especially by inexperienced hobbyists
they make a big difference in water quality.

Daddyrawg · 05/27/2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46er

you don't like doing water changes?
most people don't enjoy it but its something that needs to be done. especially by inexperienced hobbyists
they make a big difference in water quality.

I did one and it went nice and smooth..wasnt as bad as i remembered..probably cuz my setup is 10xs better than it was 15 yrs ago

05/22/2018, 10:51 AM	#1
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	New Tank cycling results Been 2 wks into cycling.. have LR LS red sea salt water and rodi water toppoffs.. been dosing everyday of macrobacter 7 for 2 wks as recommeneded.. Don't these results seem odd? Ammonia 0.50 Nitrite 0 (really?) Nitrate 10 ( really?)

05/22/2018, 11:02 AM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Have you added any type of nitrogen source? What has been the schedule for that? __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

05/22/2018, 11:47 AM	#4
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Cycling a tank refers to the nitrogen cycle. You have to add fish food,pure ammonia, frozen cocktail shrimp, or some other form of nitrogen to start the cycle. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

05/22/2018, 12:50 PM	#8
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I'm not sure if the Dr Tim's stuff contains any ammonia. tjm's plan is a good one. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

05/23/2018, 07:32 AM	#13
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Never adding any nitrogen, I don't think you can say that the tank has cycled. I would chalk the nitrates up to the "live" sand if it came from a bag. Live rock has different meanings too. I agree that if it's live rock from a local tank, that has stayed wet, and you use enough of it, then you won't see much of a cycle. I don't have any experience with the bacteria in a bottle stuff, but I still think the best management practice is to always add nitrogen and test over the course of a couple weeks. That way you can make sure the tank can safely support life. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

05/22/2018, 12:40 PM	#7
tjm9331 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 340	one shrimp should be plenty, you just need a something to decay in the tank and as it decays it releases ammonia, you can achieve the same thing by just adding pure ammonia to the tank. Test daily, once you ammonia spikes (you'll know) then the cycle will begin, the ammonia will be turned to nitrites and those will spike(ammonia should be close to 0) then the nitrites will be converted to nitrates and those will spike (nitrites again should be close to 0 if not 0) Once your nitrates spike perform a 50% water change and you should be good to go.

05/23/2018, 07:04 AM	#11
tjm9331 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 340	just to be on the safe side, if you've already added the shrimp, leave it in there and let it decay a bit. Test daily and see how it affects your readings, if your ammonia increases then you know you're not cycled yet. If it remains the same and only your nitrates increase then you are most likely cycled. Just out of curiosity what test kit are you using? I have heard/read that the API test kits can give a false positive of around 0.5ppm ammonia.

05/24/2018, 06:22 AM	#17
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Your tank is ready to go... Like always start slow and enjoy.. __________________ Who me?