Tank cycled?

[Fish Fan]

^There you go

 

[Fish Fan]

I’d add ammonia to 2 ppm, verify it by testing, then watch it decline.

The tank is almost certainly cycled, but that will prove it.

Do you have any idea why the OP is showing zero for nitrate here? That's quite unusual, in my humble experience. Thank you!

 

[Salty_Fish306]

Just dosed Fritz fishless fuel and will retest. I do have some salifert test kits coming next week. Didn't know these API kits were as crap as the populous have determined them to be.

I’d add ammonia to 2 ppm, verify it by testing, then watch it decline.

The tank is almost certainly cycled, but that will prove it.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

i was showing nitrate until I added microbe lift nite out 2. I thought that was weird. That's why I started this chain.

 

[Fish Fan]

i was showing nitrate until I added microbe lift nite out 2. I thought that was weird. That's why I started this chain.

I've never used the Microbe Lift product, so maybe that's what caused the nitrate to drop. If you had nitrate before adding that product, I think that's a good sign that you're cycled. Make sure you're adding the right amount of the Fish-less Fuel to get the ammonia up to about 2.0 ppm, then test the ammonia again tomorrow, If it's basically zero tomorrow, I think you're good to go

 

[Salty_Fish306]

I've never used the Microbe Lift product, so maybe that's what caused the nitrate to drop. If you had nitrate before adding that product, I think that's a good sign that you're cycled. Make sure you're adding the right amount of the Fish-less Fuel to get the ammonia up to about 2.0 ppm, then test the ammonia again tomorrow, If it's basically zero tomorrow, I think you're good to go

I was around 20-50ppm nitrate thursday evening. But, I will tell the class my results in the morning.

 

[Fish Fan]

I was around 20-50ppm nitrate thursday evening. But, I will tell the class my results in the morning.

I think you're in good shape, but tomorrow's test will confirm. Please report back on how you're doing, we'll be here

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t put much stock in nitrate during cycling. Various organisms will consume it, nitrite interferes with testing, and it’s often not very accurate at the low end.

 

[tzabor10]

It could also be said that many reefers believe strongly in using live rock to cycle a new tank. I’m sure your LFS has some. Or purchase online from a vendor.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

This is after 1 day after dosing ammonia. Do i need to add more microbelift nite out 2 or fritzyme 9? This is week 4 of cycling

 

[Salty_Fish306]

These vials are much much darker on this picture than in reality.. Not sure what I am doing wrong.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Let’s see what they look like after testing tomorrow.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

Let’s see what they look like after testing tomorrow.

So just keep on waiting?

This is a fluval 13.5 tank.

Shouldnt this have cycled by now based on what ive read this morning and this past month..?

 

[Garf]

So just keep on waiting?

This is a fluval 13.5 tank.

Shouldnt this have cycled by now based on what ive read this morning and this past month..?

You got a picture of the tank? How's the temperature and salinity? Is there some decent flow? It's processing ammonia to some extent, just slower than you would prefer at this time.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

Temp is 77.4

Salinity 1.026(Reef Crystals Salt)

Fluval CP1 Circulation Pump

Stock Return Pump.

The rocks are different. Wife bought them from a LFS and when she brought them home they didn't match the other rock lol.

Do i need more rock?

 

[Garf]

Do i need more rock?

I doubt it, if the sand has been in there all of the time. Did you use tap water to make up the initial saltwater batch, or RODI water.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

I doubt it, if the sand has been in there all of the time. Did you use tap water to make up the initial saltwater batch, or RODI water.

RODI from the fish store

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So just keep on waiting?

This is a fluval 13.5 tank.

Shouldnt this have cycled by now based on what ive read this morning and this past month..?

Yes, wait. Another day to see if ammonia declines is neither unusual nor a problem. Longer times do not help cycling go faster if there is no ammonia.

 

[Salty_Fish306]

So just keep on waiting?

This is a fluval 13.5 tank.

Shouldnt this have cycled by now based on what ive read this morning and this past month..?

Yes, wait. Another day to see if ammonia declines is neither unusual nor a problem. Longer times do not help cycling go faster if there is no ammonia.

Here we are a week later. And this what im testing.

 

[tzabor10]

At some point we just have to take the plunge. Try something hardy. Clownfish, GSP, Kenya tree. Whatever. Just make sure that you like it enough just in case it survives. Don’t break the bank. Perhaps a local reefer friend can donate something to you.