- Joined
- Sep 5, 2019
- Messages
- 158
- Reaction score
- 166
Hi everyone,
I just started into the reef hobby, I have a NUVO 40 and started cycling ~2 1/2 weeks ago.
I started my cycling with live sand (CaribSea, Arag-alive reef sand), dry rock (Atlantic Coral Rock), a deli shrimp, and Dr. Tim's One and Only.
I've been monitoring my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, watching the ammonia and nitrite climb. followed by nitrate starting to climb.
Nitrates are now up to deep orange (80ppm) while the ammonia is dipping down to 1.0ppm (was holding at 2.0ppm for a week). Nitrites steadily climbing to 2.0ppm.
I left that shrimp in till it has completely disintegrated. I was monitoring the ammonia and if it went above 2.0ppm I was gonna pull it out. never got that high.
Sorry, getting a little long here.
Should I worry about the nitrate levels and water change now, or wait till the ammonia and nitrite levels completely drop. I plan to water change either way before introducing fish and CUC to stabilize the water.
It's a completely new tank, there's nothing in there except sand and rock. (no livestock yet)
I'm guessing I let it ride as a water change will remove the ammonia and nitrites I need to keep the bacteria growing. Wanted to just get some input if I'm on the right track.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much!
Jason
I just started into the reef hobby, I have a NUVO 40 and started cycling ~2 1/2 weeks ago.
I started my cycling with live sand (CaribSea, Arag-alive reef sand), dry rock (Atlantic Coral Rock), a deli shrimp, and Dr. Tim's One and Only.
I've been monitoring my ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, watching the ammonia and nitrite climb. followed by nitrate starting to climb.
Nitrates are now up to deep orange (80ppm) while the ammonia is dipping down to 1.0ppm (was holding at 2.0ppm for a week). Nitrites steadily climbing to 2.0ppm.
I left that shrimp in till it has completely disintegrated. I was monitoring the ammonia and if it went above 2.0ppm I was gonna pull it out. never got that high.
Sorry, getting a little long here.
Should I worry about the nitrate levels and water change now, or wait till the ammonia and nitrite levels completely drop. I plan to water change either way before introducing fish and CUC to stabilize the water.
It's a completely new tank, there's nothing in there except sand and rock. (no livestock yet)
I'm guessing I let it ride as a water change will remove the ammonia and nitrites I need to keep the bacteria growing. Wanted to just get some input if I'm on the right track.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much!
Jason