Tank Cycle Questions.

[Salty_Fish306]

Im going on the end of week 2 going into week 3. I am doing a fishless cycle. Dosed ammonia to 2ppm

No ammonia or nitrites are present. But my Nitrates are somewhere between 80-160ppm...

Do I just need to leave it alone or have I gone astray?

 

[X-37B]

Im going on the end of week 2 going into week 3. I am doing a fishless cycle. Dosed ammonia to 2ppm

No ammonia or nitrites are present. But my Nitrates are somewhere between 80-160ppm...

Do I just need to leave it alone or have I gone astray?

Cycle is complete. Water change to reduce nitrates and time to add a fish or 2.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

Im going on the end of week 2 going into week 3. I am doing a fishless cycle. Dosed ammonia to 2ppm

No ammonia or nitrites are present. But my Nitrates are somewhere between 80-160ppm...

Do I just need to leave it alone or have I gone astray?

Cycle is complete. Water change to reduce nitrates and time to add a fish or 2.

I retested my nitrites. Its between 0.5 and 1 ppm.

 

[BonnieB]

50% water change then retest…then add a couple of fish that tolerate new tank parameter swings. Take it slow and easy.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

50% water change then retest…then add a couple of fish that tolerate new tank parameter swings. Take it slow and easy.

Gonna get some corals first.

 

[X-37B]

I retested my nitrites. Its between 0.5 and 1 ppm.

With nitrates in your system at that level you do not need to test for nitrites anymore.
A fish added keeps the cycle going.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

I retested my nitrites. Its between 0.5 and 1 ppm.

With nitrates in your system at that level you do not need to test for nitrites anymore.
A fish added keeps the cycle going.

So its best to add fish before corals?

 

[X-37B]

So its best to add fish before corals?

If you are new to the hobby yes.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

So its best to add fish before corals?

If you are new to the hobby yes.

Yes i am. First saltwater tank.

 

[X-37B]

Yes i am. First saltwater tank.

Do a search here on the cycle.
This is reefing 101. You need to completely understand this before adding anything to your system.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

Yes i know this " reefing 101 " thats why im asking questions to make sure i understand? Im sorry?

 

[Salty_Fish306]

Yes i am. First saltwater tank.

Do a search here on the cycle.
This is reefing 101. You need to completely understand this before adding anything to your system.

This is the first time hesring add fish first to a reef tank rather than corals. But ill do my research and stay in my lane.

Thanks.

 

[X-37B]

This is your lane!
I just hate to see people fail and end up giving up when it's really simple once you master the basics.
Best advice to a new reefer is find a couple threads from start to finish, or ongoing, of reef tanks you like then pick one and follow their advice for a year via DM.
This will keep you focused until you understand the many different way to be successful.
The problem new reefers run into is you get 10 answers to the same way of doing things so they are always changing things just because.
Good Luck! You can dm me with any questions no matter how small.

 

[BonnieB]

I agree alsowith X-37B. If you are new, not only is the amount of information going to vary from tank to tank it will tend to be overwhelming. You’ll find people who test every week and people who don’t chase numbers at all, people who do weekly water changes, monthly or never, and all who are successful with their tanks. But find a thread of a tank you wish to emulate and follow it and see where you can mirror it, knowing that you will need to make adjustments based on your own tank’s inhabitants, etc. But for me, the most helpful thing has been reading the threads that pop up each day. While they don’t all apply, I try to find ones I’m either curious about or that I have questions about as well. And if you need specific advice, search for threads that might help. This is a hobby that takes patience for sure but the reward as you go along and discover the new things emerging from your rock or sand or your fish entertaining you and your coral growing while the tank is healthy and thriving with all kinds of biodiversity is 100% worth riding the slow and steady train. Welcome to the hobby!!

 

[X-37B]

I almost forgot....