Newbie question

[womanhead]

Hey, it's been 30 years since my last SW tank. Things have definitely changed! I am setting up a 60 gallon, probably fish only, at least for now. I used RODI water, canister filter, salinity is 1.020, temp 78°. Friday I added live sand. Saturday I added Tim's stuff. I checked my water for the first time last night (Monday) and my PH was 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and Nitrate was 5. I may be confused, but I'm thinking I should be seeing the ammonia spiking and seeing nitrites rise and so on. So is it possible this has already cycled since nitrates were 5? Thanks in advance, Lauren

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey, it's been 30 years since my last SW tank. Things have definitely changed! I am setting up a 60 gallon, probably fish only, at least for now. I used RODI water, canister filter, salinity is 1.020, temp 78°. Friday I added live sand. Saturday I added Tim's stuff. I checked my water for the first time last night (Monday) and my PH was 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and Nitrate was 5. I may be confused, but I'm thinking I should be seeing the ammonia spiking and seeing nitrites rise and so on. So is it possible this has already cycled since nitrates were 5? Thanks in advance, Lauren

View attachment 3062674

It is possible. Typically, you want to add your bacteria and then ammonia chloride . Then you want to monitor ammonia , When your ammonia is steady at zero for 5 days and Nitrate is steady at 20 or below- You are cycled. Ignore nitrIte Unless sky high
The tank will go through two phases in which ammonia will rise then fall and nitrate will rise and fall which is normal. When fish are added, the bacteria population will increase with the new bio load, converting waste to nitrate.

 

[Slocke]

Hey, it's been 30 years since my last SW tank. Things have definitely changed! I am setting up a 60 gallon, probably fish only, at least for now. I used RODI water, canister filter, salinity is 1.020, temp 78°. Friday I added live sand. Saturday I added Tim's stuff. I checked my water for the first time last night (Monday) and my PH was 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and Nitrate was 5. I may be confused, but I'm thinking I should be seeing the ammonia spiking and seeing nitrites rise and so on. So is it possible this has already cycled since nitrates were 5? Thanks in advance, Lauren

View attachment 3062674

Welcome!

The live sand will have some of the bacteria and with the Dr.Tims too. So it is possible if not probable your tank is already cycled.

 

[jsker]

 

[Patientman]

Welcome to the group!

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board!

 

[907_Reefer]

Welcome aboard!

 

[JZ199]

Welcome!!

 

[ScubaFish802]

Welcome back, some other good advice above so I'll leave it at that!

 

[CoralB]

Welcome!!!

 

[Cthulukelele]

Hey, it's been 30 years since my last SW tank. Things have definitely changed! I am setting up a 60 gallon, probably fish only, at least for now. I used RODI water, canister filter, salinity is 1.020, temp 78°. Friday I added live sand. Saturday I added Tim's stuff. I checked my water for the first time last night (Monday) and my PH was 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and Nitrate was 5. I may be confused, but I'm thinking I should be seeing the ammonia spiking and seeing nitrites rise and so on. So is it possible this has already cycled since nitrates were 5? Thanks in advance, Lauren

View attachment 3062674

Welcome! Have you put anything into the tank to cause ammonia levels? I. E. Rotting food or ammonium chloride?

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! It’s my understanding that’s how the tanks are instantly cycled at the large reef shows.

 

[womanhead]

Welcome! Have you put anything into the tank to cause ammonia levels? I. E. Rotting food or ammonium chloride?

No, I haven't put anything in the tank. I admit I only heard of it from this forum. I read 2 books and never heard of adding ammonia either.

 

[womanhead]

Welcome!

The live sand will have some of the bacteria and with the Dr.Tims too. So it is possible if not probable your tank is already cycled.

Thanks for all the help. Are there any recommendations on how I can be sure? What my next step should be?
Thanks Lauren

 

[Nman]

 

[Buckster]

Welcome to R2R! I keep my salinity at 1.024 - I think that should be a question to see what the average is of most reefers!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and back to the salty world Lauren.