How do I fix my fishless cycling error?

[ace560]

Disclaimer: This is my first Saltwater Aquarium, I’ve only had freshwater before this.

I recently picked up a 32g biocube from Facebook marketplace. I used treated tested tap (very clean water supply, reviewed water quality reports, de-chlorinated. I WILL BE USING RO/DI FROM NOW ON) I added 30lbs of Caribsea Seaflor Aragonite. I also added ~20lbs live rock (from LFS, in tank use and treated.)

I’ve been dosing Fritz TurboStart 900 nightly. I didn’t know until today you’re not supposed to add ammonia if using live rock so I’ve also been dosing to ~2ppm.

The tank was cycling well for the first few days but now it seems to not be. Here are my current levels.

Ammonia: .5ppm
Nitrites: 15ppm
Nitrates: 50ppm
Carbonate: 0 (this confuses me)
Alkalinity: 0 (this also confuses me)
pH: 7.2 (this also also confuses me)
Chlorine: 0

Thanks for reading!

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Welcome to the hobby man! Stop dosing Ammonia and let the bacteria build up.

The test kit you got is probably not the most accurate one out there. I did the same thing when i started if you can afford these get the ones listed at the end.

Alternatively Api saltwater kit is not the best but is better then what you have.
eventually youll want a good test kit set. The master kit does at least give you everything you need.

Take your time and wait the week out during this time you will learn 3 really important things.

Dont spend too much on everything and do your research before buying. People in the hobby will give you many different opinions but keep it simple and go slow at first.

Patients is key even though your excited!

Find a good youtube series like bulk reef supply beginner series guide. Also there are sticky forms that have guides to help you.

Wish you the best! Let the bacteria get the Ammonia to 0 and nitrites to 0 for a full 24- 48 hours before adding live stock. Then go slowly adding a couple things at a time waiting for bacteria to catch up to new live stock.

Seachem Ammonia Alert​

Salifert
Alkalinity Calcium Magnesium Combo Test Kit

​

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to saltwater aquariums!

My humble advise would be to please stop using those multi-test strips that you dip, even if they say that they are for aquariums, and not for something like a swimming pool or drinking water. I just don't think I've seen any of those that are very accurate. If you're just getting started in the hobby, and on a budget like most of us, pick up one of the saltwater master test kits from API or Red Sea:

API Saltwater Master Test Kit from Chewy.com

It would definitely be a good idea to go with RODI filtered fresh water in the future. Even if your tap water is super clean, there could still be something in the water that may give you trouble down the road, and it would take some real thinking and ICP lab testing to figure that out. It's just best to start with the purest water that you can. If you just have a small tank, you can buy gallons of distilled water from any grocery store or pharmacy or Walmart, and for about a dollar/gallon or so. You can use these gallons until you get your RODI system setup and running.

Even if you used tap water, as long as you used a decent brand of salt mix and mixed your water to the proper salinity, there is no way that your pH is only 7.2. I think this is where those test strips are misleading you.

As @Cali Reef Life said, I too would suggest the beginner series videos from the guys at Bulk Reef Supply if you're just getting started in this hobby. Some R2R members get upset with me when I suggest their videos, but I think they are very good source of information for new reefers. Just keep in mind that obviously they are trying to sell you equipment, and often equipment that you arguable don't need (ask here before you buy anything!), but in my opinion the information in these vides is great.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL53kwcE7KD-d0A-qXZ07iH1Fl0M3qWYsL

And, please post a pic of your tank, that would help ;-)

Best of luck with your Biocube build!

 

[ace560]

Welcome to saltwater aquariums!

My humble advise would be to please stop using those multi-test strips that you dip, even if they say that they are for aquariums, and not for something like a swimming pool or drinking water. I just don't think I've seen any of those that are very accurate. If you're just getting started in the hobby, and on a budget like most of us, pick up one of the saltwater master test kits from API or Red Sea:

API Saltwater Master Test Kit from Chewy.com

It would definitely be a good idea to go with RODI filtered fresh water in the future. Even if your tap water is super clean, there could still be something in the water that may give you trouble down the road, and it would take some real thinking and ICP lab testing to figure that out. It's just best to start with the purest water that you can. If you just have a small tank, you can buy gallons of distilled water from any grocery store or pharmacy or Walmart, and for about a dollar/gallon or so. You can use these gallons until you get your RODI system setup and running.

Even if you used tap water, as long as you used a decent brand of salt mix and mixed your water to the proper salinity, there is no way that your pH is only 7.2. I think this is where those test strips are misleading you.

As @Cali Reef Life said, I too would suggest the beginner series videos from the guys at Bulk Reef Supply if you're just getting started in this hobby. Some R2R members get upset with me when I suggest their videos, but I think they are very good source of information for new reefers. Just keep in mind that obviously they are trying to sell you equipment, and often equipment that you arguable don't need (ask here before you buy anything!), but in my opinion the information in these vides is great.


And, please post a pic of your tank, that would help ;-)

Best of luck with your Biocube build!

Thank you for all the advice! I ordered that kit and it should be in tomorrow. I’ve noticed the strips are super inaccurate. Here is a photo of the tank setup (so far!)

 

[Fish Fan]

You're more than welcome, and that's a nice looking setup! Best of luck with your build!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Disclaimer: This is my first Saltwater Aquarium, I’ve only had freshwater before this.

I recently picked up a 32g biocube from Facebook marketplace. I used treated tested tap (very clean water supply, reviewed water quality reports, de-chlorinated. I WILL BE USING RO/DI FROM NOW ON) I added 30lbs of Caribsea Seaflor Aragonite. I also added ~20lbs live rock (from LFS, in tank use and treated.)

I’ve been dosing Fritz TurboStart 900 nightly. I didn’t know until today you’re not supposed to add ammonia if using live rock so I’ve also been dosing to ~2ppm.

The tank was cycling well for the first few days but now it seems to not be. Here are my current levels.

Ammonia: .5ppm
Nitrites: 15ppm
Nitrates: 50ppm
Carbonate: 0 (this confuses me)
Alkalinity: 0 (this also confuses me)
pH: 7.2 (this also also confuses me)
Chlorine: 0

Thanks for reading!

Hey to add onto others (I may have missed it if they mentioned) I would do a large water change to get the nitrates down either now or later. Possibly now if nutrients are just sitting where they are at might kick the stall

And yeah don't dose ammonia as long as some is in there you are on your way Fritz is more than ample enough to get you going