Phosphate During Tank Cycle

[hannernanner]

Hi all,
I've read a bunch about the nitrogen cycle in relation to cycling a tank. My 130 gallon system has been up a little over a week, started with Fritz turbo start additive. I've been throwing a small pinch of freeze-dried shrimp in once a day. I've also got pods started in the refugium so I'm feeding 5ml of phytoplankton a day. Ammonia is 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates ~5. The phosphate reading is 0.1, which is high. What's that about? Is it just a sign that it's time for the first water change? Does the turbo start really work that fast?

 

[iamacat]

Have you had any ammonia readings? Adding food is not the ideal way to start a cycle with bacterial bottles and a fish less cycle. There is a very very good chance that your cycle hasn’t even started if the food hasn’t converted to ammonia yet. The phos can be from either your water you’re using or from your food.

 

[brandon429]

Bacteria in a bottle, Myth or Fact

@Dr. Reef I seen it mentioned a few times about tests using Seneye? Is there a thread for this I can't seem to find it?

www.reef2reef.com

fritz scores nicely there

shows how long it takes to establish (2 days max)

you are out past two days, and thankfully you have rock in the tank too

 

[hannernanner]

Have you had any ammonia readings? Adding food is not the ideal way to start a cycle with bacterial bottles and a fish less cycle. There is a very very good chance that your cycle hasn’t even started if the food hasn’t converted to ammonia yet. The phos can be from either your water you’re using or from your food.

This is a good point. Picked up some ammonia today so I can be thorough about it!

 

[Spare time]

The phosphate won't be an issue so long as your tank lights are not on. When the cycle is done, you can dose some waste away or similar cleaning bacteria to clean up the nitrate and phosphate from cycling (its cheaper than a water change on that size system).