New Tank Day 55 ???

Frostys_Breck · Jan 20, 2024

My 49 Gallon tank was cycled and was reading 0 for ammonia 0 for nitrite and 5.0 for nitrate. I went to my LFS and bought two clown fish.

My readings are now looking like this after 3 days and I did a big 15gallon water change.
0.50 ppm Ammonia
.50 - 1.0 ppm Nitrite
10ppm Nitrate

Is this normal? Is there anything I should do?

Also as a new tank should I just be doing water top offs or should I be taking out water and adding new water every week?

Thanks,
Daniel

vetteguy53081 · Jan 20, 2024

Frostys_Breck said:
My 49 Gallon tank was cycled and was reading 0 for ammonia 0 for nitrite and 5.0 for nitrate. I went to my LFS and bought two clown fish.

My readings are now looking like this after 3 days and I did a big 15gallon water change.
0.50 ppm Ammonia
.50 - 1.0 ppm Nitrite
10ppm Nitrate

Is this normal? Is there anything I should do?

Also as a new tank should I just be doing water top offs or should I be taking out water and adding new water every week?

Thanks,
Daniel

This may or may not be correct. This kit well known for false readings. I suggest taking a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and compare readings- then you'll know where your levels truly are at

Frostys_Breck · Jan 20, 2024

I was looking at new testing options. Thinking of maybe the Hanna testers

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 20, 2024

Frostys_Breck said:
I was looking at new testing options. Thinking of maybe the Hanna testers

API tests are NOT prone to "false readings". Most API tests give results in a range of values and are not as PRECISE/EXACT as other test kits.
API ammonia tests total ammonia - but free ammonia is the harmful type. Once a tank has been "cycled", a reading of 0.25 or lower can be considered zero free ammonia. My interpretation of the ammonia vial you posted is a lot closer to 0.25 than to 0.5.

No need to bother testing nitrite in saltwater tanks.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 20, 2024

As for water changes, that's up to you, and there are several schools of thought on the topic. Personally, I advise new reefers to get in the habit of regular maintenance, testing, and water changes as their tank matures and stabilizes.

Frostys_Breck · Jan 21, 2024

Thanks for the clarification. I judged ammonia again and it shows up at 0.
So this is my current schedule.
I test 3 times a week. I was testing more when the tank was cycling.
Top off water twice In the week.
Every other week remove 5 gallons of water and add new water.
Does this sound appropriate

Thanks for all the help.

Katrina71 · Jan 21, 2024

Top off depends on the rate of evaporation. Ours is more demanding in the winter with our fireplace in the same room.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Jan 21, 2024

Frostys_Breck said:
Thanks for the clarification. I judged ammonia again and it shows up at 0.
So this is my current schedule.
I test 3 times a week. I was testing more when the tank was cycling.
Top off water twice In the week.
Every other week remove 5 gallons of water and add new water.
Does this sound appropriate

Thanks for all the help.

I'd test weekly or twice a month at this point, preferably a short time before your water change.

Frostys_Breck · Jan 24, 2024

Another question. M Clowns are doing well. How long should I wait till I add another fish or even a coral.

Beachbilly · Jan 24, 2024

Did you keep your bio bag in your filter? I changed mine once in the beginning big mistake. Then you have a small cycle again. BTW add more beneficial bacteria in the bottle, there are a number of products like Turbo start and such. Does again if you loose beneficial bacteria in cases like adding livestock.

Beachbilly · Jan 24, 2024

Sorry dose beneficial again. You need to test water for Calcium 450, magnesium 1350, Alkalinity 8.5-9, phosphate.02-.03, keep testing nitrates as they may spike when nitrites go down. I heard coral takes 4 month or so I put some in recently my 29 gallon set up was 10/27/2023.