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05/04/2015, 06:15 PM | #1 |
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Needing Some Hand Holding
I think my tank is beginning to cycle. I've had it set up for a few days. Here are the test results that I get. Specific Gravity = 1.023, pH = 7.4, Ammonia = 0.25, Nitrite = 0.25, Nitrate = 40. The water is clear as a bell with no sediment or anything in it.
Thoughts? |
05/04/2015, 06:18 PM | #2 |
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What did you use to start the cycle?
How much rock? Was the rock live or dead? Tank size?
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Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT |
05/04/2015, 06:19 PM | #3 |
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Sounds like everything is moving along as it should. You'll want to wait for zero NH4 and NO2 readings before adding livestock. Patience is key in this hobby.
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05/04/2015, 06:28 PM | #4 |
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Tank Specfics
75 gallon tank, 30 gallon sump
30 lbs of live rock 80 lbs live sand I used a small piece of tilapia to cycle I started the hobby, in part, to practice patience. I am not naturally patient. |
05/04/2015, 06:33 PM | #5 |
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I would give it some time. Has the tilapia rotted away yet?
IMO your a little light on rock, unless your going for the minimalist look.
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Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT |
05/04/2015, 06:45 PM | #6 |
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+1^^^ I would add about 30-40 more ponds of rock. With 30 pounds your not going to reach your bioload potential. If you can get the tilapia out I would do that its only going to add to the ammonia leaving you with higher nitrates at the end of the cycle.
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05/04/2015, 06:48 PM | #7 |
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Light on the Rock
Think more light in the wallet. I'm saving up for more live rock. I still have a kid in college.
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05/04/2015, 06:54 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
http://smile.amazon.com/Carib-Sea-AC...words=dry+rock |
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05/04/2015, 06:59 PM | #9 |
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Dry Rock
I have 15-20 pounds of dry coral. Would that work?
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05/04/2015, 07:32 PM | #10 |
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As long as it's clean, perfect. That's what "live rock" started out as after all!
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I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer |
05/04/2015, 07:33 PM | #11 |
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05/04/2015, 08:07 PM | #12 |
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And if you have a local forum, ask around - some people have a rock or two they wouldn't mind passing along to a new reefer as long as you remember to pay it forward in the future.
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05/04/2015, 08:13 PM | #13 |
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Who knew Amazon sold dry rock!! Humph.
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05/04/2015, 08:15 PM | #14 |
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Adding more rock to create more bioload is highly advisable. Ammonia will first drop to zero, then nitrite will drop to zero, and then nitrate should be very low or zero. Once nitrate is very low/zero and all other readings are zero, do a large water change to eliminate as much nitrate as possible. Then you are cycled. Seeing diatoms on the rock after ammonia and nitrite hit zero is a good sign that you're getting close to being done.
Your pH is extremely low. 7.4 is almost pure water....work on getting it higher then 8 before you add any livestock. During your cycle, it really doesn't matter as much. |
05/04/2015, 09:28 PM | #15 |
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Lighting
What role does lighting play in this process? Also how much water change is considered a large water change?
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05/05/2015, 06:31 AM | #16 |
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I would do at least 30-50%. IMO, lighting does not play a role in the cycle process at all.
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05/05/2015, 11:05 AM | #17 |
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I'm just a newbie. But one option(if your light on funds) could be just keep bio load way down for that size tank.maybe pair of clowns. As u get a couple bucks keep adding dry rock.good luck.
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05/05/2015, 03:58 PM | #18 |
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Update
I added the dry corals as suggested. I also took the piece of tilapia I used to start the cycle out of the tank. Here are my testing results:
Specific Gravity 1.024 pH 8.0 Ammonia 0.25 Nitrite 0.00 Nitrate 40.00 Thanks to all for your help. |
Tags |
amonia, chemistry, nitrate, nitrite, water quality |
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