New tank well week 4 fishnets cycle help..

[weemanno1]

So I’m on day 24 today and I’ve attached my readings.. I have a 140 litre 80cm tank (holds 120ltrs of saltwater. ) and my nitrite is sitting at 0.6 nitrates 7. Now last night I added 6ml of ammonium chloride (dr Tim’s) measure this morning 0.. nitrites still 0.6 and nitrates 7-10.. I’ve added another 6 ml 2 night left it an hour and the ammonia hasn’t even budged.. have I made a bombproof cycle of bacteria or am I missing something ? I used ammonium chloride on day 7 and it rose to 2ppm then went down nitrites up to 2.. nitrates 20.. I’m now stuck with residual values and zero ammonia .. have I broke it or are we ready…

 

[TX_REEF]

if ammonia goes to zero within 24 hours, you can consider the initial cycle completed. nitrite is not important to track in saltwater, generally.

 

[weemanno1]

if ammonia goes to zero within 24 hours, you can consider the initial cycle completed. nitrite is not important to track in saltwater, generally.

My end goal is a mixed reef tank with macro algae I’m just stumped as to the 0.6 nitrite reading constantly.. my saltwater mix has approx 0.005 nitrite present which is neither hear nor there :) so if I water change out end of the week and get it down to 0.2 I think I’m ready to start :)

 

[TX_REEF]

My end goal is a mixed reef tank with macro algae I’m just stumped as to the 0.6 nitrite reading constantly.. my saltwater mix has approx 0.005 nitrite present which is neither hear nor there :) so if I water change out end of the week and get it down to 0.2 I think I’m ready to start :)

it could easily be testing error as well, or a probe needing calibration. At any rate, if your ammonia is processed to zero within 24 hours, it sounds like you're ready for your first fish addition!

 

[weemanno1]

Over tested the fresh saltwater mix. It measures 0.005 but as soon as I measure the tank it measure 0.5 and in nerves me as I use salivary test which is the best I can get apart from a hanna checker.. and having nitrite was always drilled into me was a killer . Ammonia I’ve had non of for a week or so now ! Nitrates were high but have come down to 5-7 which I understand will rise with livestock so might be worth a few cardinals and a pink basselet to get it started before I add frags ?

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd recommend adding fish one at a time to start, or as pairs if you intend to keep multiple of a specific fish. You should also be sure to introduce fish in order of aggression/territoriality, with the most aggressive fish last. Yes, you generally want fish before coral to feed the coral naturally.

 

[weemanno1]

I'd recommend adding fish one at a time to start, or as pairs if you intend to keep multiple of a specific fish. You should also be sure to introduce fish in order of aggression/territoriality, with the most aggressive fish last. Yes, you generally want fish before coral to feed the coral naturally.

Tbh my entire fish stock revolved around a 4 emporer cardinals, a pair of blizzard clowns. And a pink basselet. Clean up grew of snails, Yasha goby + pistol shrimp, 4 sexy shrimp a small urchin.. and a few corals and macro algae.. it’s mainly for the fauna but want the fish to keep the corals feb and macro algae supplied with nutrients :) the pair of emporer cardinals or pink basselet i imagine would be the best start ?

 

[Freenow54]

So I’m on day 24 today and I’ve attached my readings.. I have a 140 litre 80cm tank (holds 120ltrs of saltwater. ) and my nitrite is sitting at 0.6 nitrates 7. Now last night I added 6ml of ammonium chloride (dr Tim’s) measure this morning 0.. nitrites still 0.6 and nitrates 7-10.. I’ve added another 6 ml 2 night left it an hour and the ammonia hasn’t even budged.. have I made a bombproof cycle of bacteria or am I missing something ? I used ammonium chloride on day 7 and it rose to 2ppm then went down nitrites up to 2.. nitrates 20.. I’m now stuck with residual values and zero ammonia .. have I broke it or are we ready…

Looks good to me Mine took 45days yours is Well on track to my one experience . I have always wondered why others talk like they have done more. I followed an article that proved to be accurate

 

[weemanno1]

Glad I’m not the only one I also have diatoms now so waiting for the silicates to burnout. Then we’re good!! Looks so ugly but don’t want to disturb it

 

[Freenow54]

Glad I’m not the only one I also have diatoms now so waiting for the silicates to burnout. Then we’re good!! Looks so ugly but don’t want to disturb it

Try The UV light from 3D reefing belongs to this forum

 

[weemanno1]

Try The UV light from 3D reefing belongs to this forum

Have you got a link I can’t find anything to do with 3d reefing on here ? :)

 

[Freenow54]

Have you got a link I can’t find anything to do with 3d reefing on here ? :)

First look for Paul B,s Diatom filter for under $100 I made one but have not perfected it . Its a thread. For the uv light goggle 3DReefing its there I just did the search here is the filter

 

[weemanno1]

First look for Paul B,s Diatom filter for under $100 I made one but have not perfected it . Its a thread. For the uv light goggle 3DReefing its there I just did the search here is the filter

That’s super cool! Only I have a custom aio I have built so I can’t fit this .. I woke up this morning to milky water and nitrite spike of 4ppm 0 ammonia and 10ppm nitrate.. so water change Friday and I’m ready for stock … I have been waiting for the bacteria bloom tbh.