First saltwater cycle - Help please

Brav403

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 7, 2024
Messages
66
Reaction score
11
Location
United Kingdom
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
As title suggests; Started a cycle in my 33gallon with life rock, arag alive sand. Dosed turbostart 900 alongside Fritz Fishless Fuel.

Recorded 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites after 12 days. Proceeded to dose 2ppm ammonia so I could try and measure Ammonia & Nitrite to 0 again within 24 hours before considering adding livestock.

Added some more turbostart 900 on day 14 because I wasn't convinced I'd added enough initially. Ammonia and Nitrites still not 0 as of today (day 17) (ammonia 0.2 nitrite 0.05 using Red Sea test kit) I should add Nitrates are at 10ppm

Concerned that I've read in alot of places that Turbostart really should help to cycle the tank within 5 days (Granted I didn't add loads initially) and as of Monday 11th March I am 3 weeks in.

Should I just be patient?
 

mues

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 25, 2023
Messages
274
Reaction score
372
Location
Jacksonville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If you have nitrates, you are cycled. You will not see undetectable ammonia or nitrites on most kits. Add a fish or two and happy reefing. Also, don't bother testing nitrites for saltwater
 
OP
OP
B

Brav403

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 7, 2024
Messages
66
Reaction score
11
Location
United Kingdom
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If you have nitrates, you are cycled. You will not see undetectable ammonia or nitrites on most kits. Add a fish or two and happy reefing. Also, don't bother testing nitrites for saltwater
Thanks for the response, nitrates are at 10ppm so not insanely high, is it worth a water change prior to stocking in a day or two or shall I leave it a week to get the fish settled?
 

mues

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 25, 2023
Messages
274
Reaction score
372
Location
Jacksonville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thanks for the response, nitrates are at 10ppm so not insanely high, is it worth a water change prior to stocking in a day or two or shall I leave it a week to get the fish settled?
Most would say yes. I didn't do a water change in mine for the first six weeks or so, but I had 150g display. Wouldn't hurt anything to keep nitrates in check.
 

Freenow54

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 5, 2021
Messages
1,657
Reaction score
1,313
Location
Canada
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Myself just get the system ie sump media skimmer ect going. You can change water forever in my experience doesn't change a thing
 
Back
Top