Help interpreting cycling test results? :)

[PinkDolphins]

My 33G tank has been cycling for 25 days now using the Red Sea reef mature starter kit but with dry rock and sand (it’s impossible to get live rock where I live)

I would love if someone could tell me if it’s still ok!

Nitrite is getting lower really slowly but that is probably expected? I’m using the JBL pro aqua test kit to test parameters but a lot of the time I struggle to match the colours exactly.

I was following the guide that came with the starter kit but didn’t do any water changes or add CUC/fish. Since it finished I’ve just been dosing the NOPOX daily (3ml/100L) but I’m not sure is this right there’s so much conflicting info.

My results are below:

All stable:
Salinity 1.025
PH 8.2

Edit: Sorry had to put results into an image instead

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[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would call this a cycled tank... ammonia at close to zero, in fact somehow rising in week 24 which would be a test error unless you added ammonia. Nitrates at 30, to me the tank is cycled, I would do a 50% water change and add the first fish. Nitrites doesn't matter in saltwater. IMO

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why are you using NOPOX? I’d stop.

Nitrates are almost certainly not high. The kit values are likely vastly inflated by nitrite interfering with nitrate testing, and a little nitrite can read as a lot of nitrate.

Once ammonia dropped, the tank is ready to move on. Nitrite is unimportant to drive down as it is not toxic in seawater.

 

[PinkDolphins]

I would call this a cycled tank... ammonia at close to zero, in fact somehow rising in week 24 which would be a test error unless you added ammonia. Nitrates at 30, to me the tank is cycled, I would do a 50% water change and add the first fish. Nitrites doesn't matter in saltwater. IMO

dang when I googled it that’s not what it said it’s good to get opinions from experienced tank owners thank you!

 

[PinkDolphins]

Why are you using NOPOX? I’d stop.

Nitrates are almost certainly not high. The kit values are likely vastly inflated by nitrite interfering with nitrate testing, and a little nitrite can read as a lot of nitrate.

Once ammonia dropped, the tank is ready to move on. Nitrite is unimportant to drive down as it is not toxic in seawater.

I honestly have no idea I was winging it based on the kit instructions and extremely varying info online. Thanks for replying!