Hi people,
I am currently cycling a Redsea Reefer 525XL, I threw a few raw prawns in the tank for a few days until I tested for ammonia and while waiting for Dr Tims ammonia to arrive. I then dosed the tank with ammmonia and Dr Tims Bacteria, I applied three doses of ammonia, dosed to ~4ppm as per instructions. I have never seen more than 2ppm whilst testing and at week 3 Ammonia is 0, Nitrite is ~0.2ppm, but I am seeing 5ppm Nitrate with an API kit and 100+ppm with a Salifert kit.
My assumption is the API is the more accurate test due to the water column having a concentration of nitrite, the tank is cycling with Caribsea Life Rock and some Maxspect blocks in the sump. I do have some live rock in there but only a few small pieces to help seed the bacteria, I doubt the nitrate could be that high and 5ppm is much more reasonable.
Thanks,
Plecosam.
I am currently cycling a Redsea Reefer 525XL, I threw a few raw prawns in the tank for a few days until I tested for ammonia and while waiting for Dr Tims ammonia to arrive. I then dosed the tank with ammmonia and Dr Tims Bacteria, I applied three doses of ammonia, dosed to ~4ppm as per instructions. I have never seen more than 2ppm whilst testing and at week 3 Ammonia is 0, Nitrite is ~0.2ppm, but I am seeing 5ppm Nitrate with an API kit and 100+ppm with a Salifert kit.
My assumption is the API is the more accurate test due to the water column having a concentration of nitrite, the tank is cycling with Caribsea Life Rock and some Maxspect blocks in the sump. I do have some live rock in there but only a few small pieces to help seed the bacteria, I doubt the nitrate could be that high and 5ppm is much more reasonable.
Thanks,
Plecosam.
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