Hi Reefers. Sorry kind of a long post
I recently got back in the hobby after being away for around 18 years. I picked up a Fluval 32.5 flex saltwater kit from my LFS. I’ve already done a few upgrades like Intank media basket and Sicce Syncra Silent 1.5 pump.
I got the got the tank up and running on 10/26/21. And started doing a fishless cycle with Dr Tim’s one and only on 10/28/21. Unfortunately I didn’t read the bottle the Instructions on the bottle of Ammonia Chloride. I did take into account for my sand and rock in the tank and overdosed the tank. Using a API test kit saw the ammonia level was maxed at 8.0 ppm. I reached out to dr Tim and was told to do a 33-50% water change. I did around 40% on 11/1/21. I tested the next day The ammonia level did drop to around 2.0 ppm. Dr Tim told me to get ammonia and nitrite to 1.
It stayed at the 2 ppm all week. Yesterday day I did another 40-50% water change.
I tested everything today and I got
Ammonia .50-1.0 ppm. API tester
Nitrite. 2.0-5.0 ppm. API tester
Nitrate. 3.35 with a Hanna tester.
What should I be looking for when the tank is cycle
I know the API test kits aren’t the best. And in sure I’m messing around with the tank too much and need to just let it be.
what levels should I try to get to before adding a few fish?
Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Tom
I recently got back in the hobby after being away for around 18 years. I picked up a Fluval 32.5 flex saltwater kit from my LFS. I’ve already done a few upgrades like Intank media basket and Sicce Syncra Silent 1.5 pump.
I got the got the tank up and running on 10/26/21. And started doing a fishless cycle with Dr Tim’s one and only on 10/28/21. Unfortunately I didn’t read the bottle the Instructions on the bottle of Ammonia Chloride. I did take into account for my sand and rock in the tank and overdosed the tank. Using a API test kit saw the ammonia level was maxed at 8.0 ppm. I reached out to dr Tim and was told to do a 33-50% water change. I did around 40% on 11/1/21. I tested the next day The ammonia level did drop to around 2.0 ppm. Dr Tim told me to get ammonia and nitrite to 1.
It stayed at the 2 ppm all week. Yesterday day I did another 40-50% water change.
I tested everything today and I got
Ammonia .50-1.0 ppm. API tester
Nitrite. 2.0-5.0 ppm. API tester
Nitrate. 3.35 with a Hanna tester.
What should I be looking for when the tank is cycle
I know the API test kits aren’t the best. And in sure I’m messing around with the tank too much and need to just let it be.
what levels should I try to get to before adding a few fish?
Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Tom