Cycling question

[gcourtney13]

Hi everyone! I have been cycling my tank for 14 days now it’s a 15 gallon fluval flex. My ammonia dropped to 0 on day 7 and had a small dip up a day later but has been 0 for 5 straight days. However my nitrite has stayed at 3.0 for the entire week. I talked to my lfs and they suggested adding more live bacteria. Is that the move I should make or should I let the tank continue to do its own thing? Should I do a water change? Thank you for your help want to do what’s best and learn the hobby more.

 

[Fish Fan]

Contrary to traditional thinking, we don't tend to worry about nitrite in saltwater aquaria.

What are you recording for nitrates?

If your ammonia went to zero, and you're now seeing some nitrate starting to build up, you have all the bacteria you need

Good luck!

 

[kvansloo]

Have you tested your nitrates yet? I would not do a water change till you have nitrates around 15 - 20 PPM.

 

[gcourtney13]

Have you tested your nitrates yet? I would not do a water till you have nitrates around 15 - 20 PPM.

Yes the test I am using is extremely cheap it has the range inbetween 40 and 80 ppm

 

[gcourtney13]

Contrary to traditional thinking, we don't tend to worry about nitrite in saltwater aquaria.

What are you recording for nitrates?

If your ammonia went to zero, and you're now seeing some nitrate starting to build up, you have all the bacteria you need

Good luck!

the test I am using is extremely cheap it has the range inbetween 40 and 80 ppm. I have been checking ammonia using the seachem ammonia alert but checking everything else using the tetra test I got from PetSmart (just trying to get a reading of 0 so didn’t want to put much into this and then comparing a few to a lfs)

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes the test I am using is extremely cheap it has the range inbetween 40 and 80 ppm

A nitrate test in the range of 40-80 ppm is a bit on the high end for a typical reef tank, but are you recording anything for nitrate yet?

 

[kvansloo]

I would buy a better Nitrate tester because we are always testing nitrates. That is the main concern on cycle and afterwards.

RedSea Algae Control Multi Test Kit (NO3/PO4)

Our favorite all around test kits are the red sea kits. With easy to follow directions, and consistent results, we always have a Red Sea Algae Control test kit in our testing closet. The Red Sea multi test kits are by far the best value for purchasing multiple test kits. Amazing Value. High...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the one I used a lot when I first started.

Nitrate High Range Colorimeter HI782 - Marine Water

The HI782 Nitrate Checker HC by Hanna Instruments is a simple and accurate handheld colorimeter that uses the zinc reduction method to determine nitrate concentration in marine applications. With a digital read out, there is no more struggling to determine colors visually. The HI782`s high range...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the one I use now.

 

[gcourtney13]

A nitrate test in the range of 40-80 ppm is a bit on the high end for a typical reef tank, but are you recording anything for nitrate yet?

That was the nitrate reading. Nitrite is reading around 3.0

 

[gcourtney13]

I would buy a better Nitrate tester because we are always testing nitrates. That is the main concern on cycle and afterwards.

RedSea Algae Control Multi Test Kit (NO3/PO4)

Our favorite all around test kits are the red sea kits. With easy to follow directions, and consistent results, we always have a Red Sea Algae Control test kit in our testing closet. The Red Sea multi test kits are by far the best value for purchasing multiple test kits. Amazing Value. High...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the one I used a lot when I first started.

Nitrate High Range Colorimeter HI782 - Marine Water

The HI782 Nitrate Checker HC by Hanna Instruments is a simple and accurate handheld colorimeter that uses the zinc reduction method to determine nitrate concentration in marine applications. With a digital read out, there is no more struggling to determine colors visually. The HI782`s high range...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is the one I use now.

Absolutely! Thank you for the tips. I have been watching a lot of videos and reading articles about testers want to make sure to get one I will be able to use so I will use it! I have some problems seeing different colors so I have been considering getting Hannah testers so I don’t mix them up accidentally!

 

[kvansloo]

If you have 0 ammonia and nitrites are low and you have some nitrates you could add fish, But you need to know your nitrates. I love the Hanna tester and it works great. That would be where I would start, also getting Phosphate tester would be advisable for the up coming algae war or once you have nitrates get copepods, amphipods, and dose phytoplankton.

 

[gcourtney13]

If you have 0 ammonia and nitrites are low and you have some nitrates you could add fish, But you need to know your nitrates. I love the Hanna tester and it works great. That would be where I would start, also getting Phosphate tester would be advisable for the up coming algae war or once you have nitrates get copepods, amphipods, and dose phytoplankton.

I am going today to pick up a better test kit I appreciate your help!

 

[Fish Fan]

That was the nitrate reading. Nitrite is reading around 3.0

Again, try not to worry too much about the nitrite as it's thought to be non-toxic in saltwater systems.

You're looking for when your ammonia goes to zero and you start to see nitrates accumulating. That's the sign your cycle is completing, and you can safely but slowly start to add fish or other livestock.

I probably should have asked sooner, but how did you start and cycle your tank? Did you use live rock and sand, or dead, dry rocks and sand? Did you add any bottled bacteria product, such as Dr. Tim's One and Only, Brightwell's Microbacter7, or Fritz Turbo Start? Did you add a source of ammonia such as bottled ammonium chloride or a piece of shrimp from the seafood market?

 

[gcourtney13]

Again, try not to worry too much about the nitrite as it's thought to be non-toxic in saltwater systems.

You're looking for when your ammonia goes to zero and you start to see nitrates accumulating. That's the sign your cycle is completing, and you can safely but slowly start to add fish or other livestock.

I probably should have asked sooner, but how did you start and cycle your tank? Did you use live rock and sand, or dead, dry rocks and sand? Did you add any bottled bacteria product, such as Dr. Tim's One and Only, Brightwell's Microbacter7, or Fritz Turbo Start? Did you add a source of ammonia such as bottled ammonium chloride or a piece of shrimp from the seafood market?

I used a mixture of live rock and dry rock. Live sand and added

Again, try not to worry too much about the nitrite as it's thought to be non-toxic in saltwater systems.

You're looking for when your ammonia goes to zero and you start to see nitrates accumulating. That's the sign your cycle is completing, and you can safely but slowly start to add fish or other livestock.

I probably should have asked sooner, but how did you start and cycle your tank? Did you use live rock and sand, or dead, dry rocks and sand? Did you add any bottled bacteria product, such as Dr. Tim's One and Only, Brightwell's Microbacter7, or Fritz Turbo Start? Did you add a source of ammonia such as bottled ammonium chloride or a piece of shrimp from the seafood market?

FritzZyme 9 SW Nitrifying Live Bacteria with live sand and a mixture of live rock and dry rock.

 

[Fish Fan]

With the live rock and sand, and the FritzZyme I’d say you’re well on your way if not fully cycled at this point.

Did you add anything for ammonia initially? Like fish food, a piece of supermarket shrimp, or bottled ammonium chloride?

 

[gcourtney13]

With the live rock and sand, and the FritzZyme I’d say you’re well on your way if not fully cycled at this point.

Did you add anything for ammonia initially? Like fish food, a piece of supermarket shrimp, or bottled ammonium chloride?

I actually added decaying algae from an old tank. Probably not idea but it is what I had on hand. There was definitely ammonia in it though as it tested at .2 l ppm on my seachem

 

[Garf]

That was the nitrate reading. Nitrite is reading around 3.0

Nitrite renders your nitrate test relatively useless for now. It messes with the readings.