New to the Saltwater World

Nicko86 · 05/05/2012, 09:06 PM

Hi guys and gals. I have 29g Oceanic Biocube with 30 pounds of live sand, 25 pounds of live rock, and is on its 3rd week of cycling. Everything has been going great it seems. Algae has died off and turned brown on the rocks and really hasn't been a problem for over a week now. I did find out today that I have hundreds of Amphipod's in my tank today and read that they should not pose any problems for me. Now here are my readings using the API and Red Sea test kits.

Salinity-1.025
Ammonia-0.10-0.15ppm (Almost Yellow/hint of green)
Nitrates-0
Nitrites-0
PH-8.2

Calcium-470 (I know a little high)
Magnesium-1400 (I know a little high)
Alkalinity-9.8

Now my ammonia has been staying around those levels for about a week now. I've been patient about it and just waiting for it to go away. I did expect the ammonia to officially drop by now but it's been locked in it seems. I've been making sure my skimmer has been staying clean and dumping the bi-product out everyday. Any idea's on why my ammonia levels haven't made any changes?

I use Tropic Marin Mersalz Pro-Reef Sea Salt for those who are wondering and I do want this tank to be a FOWLR.

Denbf58 · 05/06/2012, 06:29 AM

To Reef Central it takes time for bactria to grow feed on ammonia then you will get nitrite then nitrate when all go to 0 your cylce is over

TjwBlake · 05/06/2012, 08:23 AM

at 3 weeks you are really only hitting the "half way point" of the cycle. Keep up what you are doing, light ghost feeding might even help to make sure things keep moving forward.

05/05/2012, 09:06 PM	#1
Nicko86 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 18	New to the Saltwater World Hi guys and gals. I have 29g Oceanic Biocube with 30 pounds of live sand, 25 pounds of live rock, and is on its 3rd week of cycling. Everything has been going great it seems. Algae has died off and turned brown on the rocks and really hasn't been a problem for over a week now. I did find out today that I have hundreds of Amphipod's in my tank today and read that they should not pose any problems for me. Now here are my readings using the API and Red Sea test kits. Salinity-1.025 Ammonia-0.10-0.15ppm (Almost Yellow/hint of green) Nitrates-0 Nitrites-0 PH-8.2 Calcium-470 (I know a little high) Magnesium-1400 (I know a little high) Alkalinity-9.8 Now my ammonia has been staying around those levels for about a week now. I've been patient about it and just waiting for it to go away. I did expect the ammonia to officially drop by now but it's been locked in it seems. I've been making sure my skimmer has been staying clean and dumping the bi-product out everyday. Any idea's on why my ammonia levels haven't made any changes? I use Tropic Marin Mersalz Pro-Reef Sea Salt for those who are wondering and I do want this tank to be a FOWLR.

05/06/2012, 06:29 AM	#2
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	*To Reef Central* it takes time for bactria to grow feed on ammonia then you will get nitrite then nitrate when all go to 0 your cylce is over __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

05/06/2012, 08:23 AM	#3
TjwBlake Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kitchener, ON. Canada Posts: 404	at 3 weeks you are really only hitting the "half way point" of the cycle. Keep up what you are doing, light ghost feeding might even help to make sure things keep moving forward. __________________ Current tank: JbJ Nanocube 28. 1 Falco Hawk, zoas, cabbage leather, trumpet coral, GSP, mushrooms, CUC Current Tank Info: JbJ Nanocube 28