Can't tell parameters!

[Exotrezy]

Hello guys! I have been cycling my tank for almost 2 weeks (Sunday around 7 pm central time would be 2 weeks) and I was trying to tell the nitrate but I can't tell what it is? It has had the same reading for the past week and I also couldn't tell ammonia but I am assuming it is around 0.25 ppm when I shined a flash on it. Could you guys tell me what it is and when my cycling will be over?

 

[Exotrezy]

And for anyone wondering, all of these have spiked and dropped down to how much they are at right now. Also the nitrites were around 0.5 ppm.

 

[DexterKarin]

Your ammonia looks like zero to me and nitrates 10. What about your nitrites?

 

[DexterKarin]

Oops just saw nitrites. Keep it up till nitites 0 or 0.25. water change then and can add a fish!

 

[Exotrezy]

Oops just saw nitrites. Keep it up till nitites 0 or 0.25. water change then and can add a fish!

Thanks! Shouldn't cycling only be for about 2 weeks? Should I just do a water change right now? Or wait?

 

[Exotrezy]

Oops just saw nitrites. Keep it up till nitites 0 or 0.25. water change then and can add a fish!

Also the nitrites have been around that purple color for also around a week

 

[dedragon]

if they spiked and went down you are most likely already cycled. I dont see the nitrite test but nitrites arent really an issue for saltwater. You can also get false readings as well.
If you are worried just add some fritzyme 9 (my go to for quick cycles or qt/treatment) in when you add your first fish. You can also continue to add it over the next week and it wont effect much other than adding more bacteria and neutralizing ammonia

 

[Exotrezy]

if they spiked and went down you are most likely already cycled. I dont see the nitrite test but nitrites arent really an issue for saltwater. You can also get false readings as well.
If you are worried just add some fritzyme 9 (my go to for quick cycles or qt/treatment) in when you add your first fish. You can also continue to add it over the next week and it wont effect much other than adding more bacteria and neutralizing ammonia

I added a full bottle of dr tims nitrifying bacteria about 2 weeks ago. when i first started the cycle. Also do I need to do a water change before adding fish or can I just directly put fish in?

 

[aSaltyKlown]

With the API test, if you are reading .25 it's safe. Also, no need to worry about nitrites, you have nitrates, so the cycle is working.

You don't need to do a WC, the nitrates are not very high and that is the main reason to do them is to get the nitrates down. How big is the tank? If it was my tank, I'd add a fish or two.

 

[Exotrezy]

With the API test, if you are reading .25 it's safe. Also, no need to worry about nitrites, you have nitrates, so the cycle is working.

You don't need to do a WC, the nitrates are not very high and that is the main reason to do them is to get the nitrates down. How big is the tank? If it was my tank, I'd add a fish or two.

It is a 30 gallon, 3 ft long, what fish should i add? I am thinking about not adding clowns first as they get territorial and I don't want anything to happen. Would a sand sifting goby or cardinalfish be fine? Or like a pair of a fish. Let me know. Nitrates seem like 10 ppm to me so I think that's good. Do I get the green light to add fish?

 

[Exotrezy]

With the API test, if you are reading .25 it's safe. Also, no need to worry about nitrites, you have nitrates, so the cycle is working.

You don't need to do a WC, the nitrates are not very high and that is the main reason to do them is to get the nitrates down. How big is the tank? If it was my tank, I'd add a fish or two.

Do you think a 3ft long 30 gallon is fine?

 

[aSaltyKlown]

30 is a good size.

Depending on your nutrient export you could have a decent stocking list.
2-3 cardinal's, longnose hawkfish, dottyback, yellow watchman & pistol shrimp pair. You could still add two clowns if you wanted. Blennies and firefish would be good as well. 6-8 fish could do well in the 30.

I would add no more than two at a time. Keep an eye on ammonia, and wait a week or two before adding more.

 

[Exotrezy]

30 is a good size.

Depending on your nutrient export you could have a decent stocking list.
2-3 cardinal's, longnose hawkfish, dottyback, yellow watchman & pistol shrimp pair. You could still add two clowns if you wanted. Blennies and firefish would be good as well. 6-8 fish could do well in the 30.

I would add no more than two at a time. Keep an eye on ammonia, and wait a week or two before adding more.

Thanks! I figured out my stocking list by watching a couple videos and I am thinking about 3 cardinals, a longnose hawkfish, a sand sifting goby and pistol shrimp, and then at the end I will add 2 clowns. Still changing things up but I will start slow and watch ammonia. Thanks for the help!

 

[Exotrezy]

30 is a good size.

Depending on your nutrient export you could have a decent stocking list.
2-3 cardinal's, longnose hawkfish, dottyback, yellow watchman & pistol shrimp pair. You could still add two clowns if you wanted. Blennies and firefish would be good as well. 6-8 fish could do well in the 30.

I would add no more than two at a time. Keep an eye on ammonia, and wait a week or two before adding more.

Do you recommend a fish I should get first or can I just pick? I know that clowns tend to be territorial so I just want to know if there are other fish like that.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Do you recommend a fish I should get first or can I just pick? I know that clowns tend to be territorial so I just want to know if there are other fish like that.

Just pick

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks! I figured out my stocking list by watching a couple videos and I am thinking about 3 cardinals, a longnose hawkfish, a sand sifting goby and pistol shrimp, and then at the end I will add 2 clowns. Still changing things up but I will start slow and watch ammonia. Thanks for the help!

Hawkfish kill shrimp.

 

[Uncle99]

Do you recommend a fish I should get first or can I just pick? I know that clowns tend to be territorial so I just want to know if there are other fish like that.

I always start with a nice pair of clowns, I do either traditional orange or black, very pieceful.

Will find a place in your 30g and will not venture far.

A gramma goes well with that pairing as well.

Enjoy

 

[Exotrezy]

Hawkfish kill shrimp.

Do they kill pistol shrimp?

 

[Exotrezy]

I always start with a nice pair of clowns, I do either traditional orange or black, very pieceful.

Will find a place in your 30g and will not venture far.

A gramma goes well with that pairing as well.

Enjoy

Wouldn't clowns get territorial if I add them first?

 

[Exotrezy]

Hawkfish kill shrimp.

If so, then I will probably not get a hawkfish