Cycling Question ?

[jcigars]

Well it's been 10 days since I added the Live Rock. I also added another 25LBS of LS. I took out the Frozen Shrimp after a week (man you wan't to talk about stinky). I now have Bubble Algae growing on my LR and brown stuff on my sand bed. I cut down on keeping the lights on to a few hours a day and also turned off the protien skimmer. I have been testing the water everyday. I finally am seeing a rise in my Nitrites and Nitrates they were at 0 for at least a week but now are on the rise. There is still Ammonia present it's between 3.0 - 6.0. I have not tested the water today but will do that sometime this afternoon. Once the ammonia gets to 0 the tank should be cycled correct ? Do I need to do a water change once the ammonia gets to 0 ? Will see the Nitrates and Nitrites drop without doing a water change ?

Jimmy

 

[MarkO1]

The nitrogen cycle is complete when you can not detect any ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Getting your nitrates down to 0 may prove difficult (may I recommend a refugium?) Do not add anything to your tank until your nitrItes are at 0. Otherwise you may likely run into problems. Most people recommmend your nitrAtes to be below 10 ppm for a reef tank. They could be higher in a fish only tank.

BTW, you are going to go through a few algae blooms as your tank matures. In my experience, it takes six months to one year before your tank is mature and stable.
HTH.
_________________
how to roll a joint?

 

[MarkO1]

I'd keep your protein skimmer running uring the cycling. The more waste you remove, the lower your nitrAtes will be.
_________________
Mercedes Benz OC500LE

 

[danmhippo]

Yes, you need to wait until nitrite gets to 0, then I would do a large water change, wait another week or 2 after the water change to make sure all water parameter are stablized before your initial fish stocking.

 

[Mogo]

Agreed with all of the above. I'd give it another few days at least just to be sure.