Cycling tank

[Lavabrine ninja]

I started cycling a new system about a week and half ago. Added some api quick start and some carbon yesterday. Is it good to have carbon running while cycling? And the api quick start it says to double the dose for saltwater, would it be better to use the whole bottle or just stick with the direction? System is a 14g cube and the bottle is 4 oz.

 

[Quietman]

Carbon won't hurt but likely isn't necessary until you have some livestock and even then I rarely use it unless I notice some yellowing. Don't over use it. For that size tank a tablespoon will do every few weeks.

Follow the directions. Just be patient. Even without additives the tank will be ready for first livestock in a 2-3 weeks. So you should be well on your way.

Good luck

 

[Salty_Fish306]

I started cycling my first ever saltwater tank a smide over a week ago. Yesterday I showd 0 Ammonia. But Nitrites and a smide of Nitrates. So I think it;s moving along nicely? Right? lol

 

[Lavabrine ninja]

Carbon won't hurt but likely isn't necessary until you have some livestock and even then I rarely use it unless I notice some yellowing. Don't over use it. For that size tank a tablespoon will do every few weeks.

Follow the directions. Just be patient. Even without additives the tank will be ready for first livestock in a 2-3 weeks. So you should be well on your way.

Good luck

After the first week, I add a damsel and some media from my main tank to help.

 

[Fish Fan]

I started cycling a new system about a week and half ago. Added some api quick start and some carbon yesterday. Is it good to have carbon running while cycling? And the api quick start it says to double the dose for saltwater, would it be better to use the whole bottle or just stick with the direction? System is a 14g cube and the bottle is 4 oz.

Have you added anything for an ammonia source, like fish food or bottled ammonium chloride?

 

[Lavabrine ninja]

Have you added anything for an ammonia source, like fish food or bottled ammonium chloride?

I've added fish food and have a damsel

 

[Fish Fan]

I've added fish food and have a damsel

Sorry, I didn't see your post above about adding the fish and the cycled media. I think because you used cycled media you're likely in good shape here.

 

[Fish Fan]

I started cycling my first ever saltwater tank a smide over a week ago. Yesterday I showd 0 Ammonia. But Nitrites and a smide of Nitrates. So I think it;s moving along nicely? Right? lol

Yes, moving along as expected. There's no need to test or worry about nitrites, they are not a concern in marine tanks. You want to see your ammonia go down, and some nitrates starting to show up. Then, you can "test" your tank by adding enough ammonia to bring the concentration to ~2.0 ppm, and then testing again in 24 hours. If/when the tank can process 2.0 ppm ammonia down to nearly zero in 24 hours, you're cycled.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

I started cycling my first ever saltwater tank a smide over a week ago. Yesterday I showd 0 Ammonia. But Nitrites and a smide of Nitrates. So I think it;s moving along nicely? Right? lol

Yes, moving along as expected. There's no need to test or worry about nitrites, they are not a concern in marine tanks. You want to see your ammonia go down, and some nitrates starting to show up. Then, you can "test" your tank by adding enough ammonia to bring the concentration to ~2.0 ppm, and then testing again in 24 hours. If/when the tank can process 2.0 ppm ammonia down to nearly zero in 24 hours, you're cycled.

Ill test my nitrates today after work and dose once more

 

[Lavabrine ninja]

Yes, moving along as expected. There's no need to test or worry about nitrites, they are not a concern in marine tanks. You want to see your ammonia go down, and some nitrates starting to show up. Then, you can "test" your tank by adding enough ammonia to bring the concentration to ~2.0 ppm, and then testing again in 24 hours. If/when the tank can process 2.0 ppm ammonia down to nearly zero in 24 hours, you're cycled.

I got my water tested by an api aquaspin and it saying ammonia is 3.3, nitrite is 0.3 and nitrate is 1 but my seachem ammonia alert is saying ammonia is at 0.05. Which test should I trust?

 

[Fish Fan]

I got my water tested by an api aquaspin and it saying ammonia is 3.3, nitrite is 0.3 and nitrate is 1 but my seachem ammonia alert is saying ammonia is at 0.05. Which test should I trust?

In this case, I'd trust the API test over the SeaChem badge. I've seen where a lot of well respected members say that they don't trust those badges.

 

[Quietman]

I started cycling my first ever saltwater tank a smide over a week ago. Yesterday I showd 0 Ammonia. But Nitrites and a smide of Nitrates. So I think it;s moving along nicely? Right? lol

Indeed. Sounds like your there.

 

[MokanSLP]

Don’t be so quick. I’d trust both. There’s a difference between Total Ammonia (Ammonium NH4+ and Ammonia NH3.

The Seachem badge does not signal to the non toxic Ammonium and only alerts to the toxic form of Ammonia.

Whereas, the API aquaspin is going to be measuring Total Ammonia, which is both ammonia and ammonium.

Beneficial Bacteria can use both forms, so just give it time. Your tank was still cycling. And Who knew chemistry would be so important in fish keeping.

 

[Fish Fan]

Don’t be so quick. I’d trust both. There’s a difference between Total Ammonia (Ammonium NH4+ and Ammonia NH3.

The Seachem badge does not signal to the non toxic Ammonium and only alerts to the toxic form of Ammonia.

Whereas, the API aquaspin is going to be measuring Total Ammonia, which is both ammonia and ammonium.

Beneficial Bacteria can use both forms, so just give it time. Your tank was still cycling. And Who knew chemistry would be so important in fish keeping.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Thank you for your reply!

You are correct about the Seachem badge and free vs. total ammonia. But I'm still not sure I would trust the badges. I know a couple very well respected R2R members (Jay H. and Vetteguy) that believe that those badges are not accurate, which is why I would suggest that this poster trusts the API spin test instead. That said, I know at least one very well respected R2R member (RHF) that does use these badges, so I can't say for sure, but I believe more members here at R2R don't trust the badges than do trust the badges. I have heard some say that they were developed for freshwater specifically.

Happy reefing!