larryag59 January 22, 2017 Share January 22, 2017 Finally got a nitrate reading last night for the first time. Started the tank December 20 with live sand (aragonite) and a damsel, 14 g Biocube with < 10 g actual water. Finally stuck in a piece of live rock on Thursday (today is Sunday) and got a nitrate reading of 5.0 last night. This seems to tell me that cycling is happening, since the previous nitrate reading was zero. Here is a readings review including last night: 12/31/16 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.25 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM 01/07/17 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.5 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM Latest readings: 01/17/17 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.5 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM 01/22/17 PH: 7.8 (down from previous reading-too low?) Ammonia: 0.25 PPM (down from previous reading) Nitrites: 0 PPM (no change) Nitrates: 5 PPM (increase from previous reading) Please comment with advice or recommendations for next steps. Thank you, Larryag59 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarrieB January 22, 2017 Share January 22, 2017 Just to be sure I've got this right- you put a damsel in a tank with just sand and no live rock for a month? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryag59 January 23, 2017 Author Share January 23, 2017 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryag59 January 23, 2017 Author Share January 23, 2017 Not sand, live aragonite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khh27 January 23, 2017 Share January 23, 2017 Your cycle is no were complete. Please Read up on how the cycle traditions. A true cycle will go from high ammonia and no nitrites and nitrates to as bacteria grows and able to keep up with the demand the ammonia with change to nitrite and you will get so that ammonia you introduce will be turning to nitrite. So what they say is I think it should process either .25 or .5 worth of ammonia in 24h. Then the it will go to low/no ammonia high nitrites and no nitrate. Then nitrite will convert to nitrate so it'll go to no ammonia high nitrite rising nitrates as nitrites reduce nitrates rise until it's no ammonia no nitrites high nitrates then once nitrates reduces to manageable levels below 10ish your initial cycle is done. Them you have the maturing tank cycle which is to do with all the algea blooms and such. From the numbers I see you have the cycles has still only started due to ammonia not being turned into nitrites... the nitrates are probably only showing cause you bought a peice.of live rock. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khh27 January 23, 2017 Share January 23, 2017 Not sand, live aragonite Just to be sure I've got this right- you put a damsel in a tank with just sand and no live rock for a month? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk You even call it sand in your post.? Don't be tricked by the bagged stuff just a marketing ploy. No different then dry sand with like a bacteria starter mixed in is all. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khh27 January 23, 2017 Share January 23, 2017 Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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