Cycling 4X2X2

[plum]

been cycling my 4x2x2 tank for last 2 weeks getting the same results , i test every 3 days but i didnt start testing from day 4 did something happen during that time?
got my 55kg live rock from closing down tank been the in tube with heater and powerhead for a a week before going into my tank with coral sand.

(interpet east test)
ammonia 0.1
nitrite 0
nitate 25
ph 8.5

it been the same
4/11/
7/11/
11/11
13/11
16/11

now look like this

should i do a water change and how much?

 

[ben1987]

if i were you id change 20% to try and get rid of that nitrate.

if teh rock was from an established tank and not out of water very long there may nto have been a cycle as such.

 

[plum]

if i were you id change 20% to try and get rid of that nitrate.

if teh rock was from an established tank and not out of water very long there may nto have been a cycle as such.

the rock been out of water less then a hour ,very little die off i think

after water change the nitrate does come down do i add cuc?

 

[ben1987]

yeah! thats right. if it was less than an hour id say your fine

ammonia has to be absolute zero at all times. but im guessing the 0.1 is test kit inaccuracy

 

[seffieuk]

Plum

I was going to say exactly the same thing, I suspect your ammonia test kit is faulty

Do a water change, wait 24 hours, test again and if ammonia 0 and nitrate <10 go get your cuc

What are your plans?

Seffie x

 

[plum]

thanks for the quick reply

just want fwlr then when im ready have some softies.
last week i got some cheato from ebay to put in my sump with 5kg live rock hoping that would lower the nitate.dont know when would that start working?

 

[seffieuk]

Do your water change and lets see what happens, I predict you will have 0 nitrates after 24 hrs (as long as you are using ro water that starts out at TDS 0)

Seffie x

 

[plum]

24 hours after 20% water change still getting the same result

ammonia 0.1
nitrite 0
nitate 25
ph 8.5

have i bought wrong test kit ammonia does come in 0.1

what should i do now

 

[ben1987]

are you using RO water?

 

[plum]

are you using RO water?

yes 0 TDS

 

[ben1987]

get someone with another brand of test kit to double check them for you.
dont think the test kit you are using is a very good one tbh

 

[plum]

if i fill the test tube with half the tank water and add half ro water and see if the test any different,then i would know if the test kit is accurate or not.
good idea or not?

 

[ben1987]

well it wouldnt be as salty.

mix up a small amount of fresh salt water, then it should test pretty perfect and then you'll know!

 

[plum]

spotted a baby brittle starfish and tiny snail ,i must doing something right they still alive

 

[plum]

did another 30% water change nitrate down to between 5-10 now.i this normal though would get 0 from first 20% water change?


my ro water 0 TDS go up to 8 overnight in the tube.