Confused! Nitrate Level

Hi All,

I've been researching online, so as to not ask a question that's been asked on here a million times, but I still feel confused about the issue. So now, I'm asking you guys!

My tank has been running for 4 1/2 weeks. About 2-3 weeks ago I had a small ammonia spike; the reading went up to 0.25ppm. It lowered in about two days and has been 0 ppm ever since. Nitrite has remained 0 the entire 4 1/2 weeks and now I am having a nitrate spike. It looks to be between 10-20 ppm and I'm having some green algae blooms.

Does the nitrate spike mean the cycle is ending? Even though nitrite has never risen? This whole cycle thing confuses me!

Thanks for any help!!

 

The cycle is ended when your ammonia and nitrite are consistently 0 despite having waste-producers (fish, live rock) in the tank. Nitrate is the end product and will rise of its own accord. You do want to try to minimize it though as it is unhealthy in high concentrations. This is accomplished through regular water changes. If it's been up for 4.5 weeks it sounds like your cycle is most likely through. I wouldn't be overly concerned with a 10-20 ppm nitrate level. Pretty normal. Just do about a 10% weekly water change, and you'll be set. I would also keep checking NH4 and NO2 to make sure they consistently read 0 before you start buying any expensive fishies or corals.

Best of luck!

 

I've done the 10% water change once, after the tank was up for 4 weeks. Do you recommend using a siphon in the sand, or just doing the water? I've read conflicting opinions. I have 4 crabs and 5 snails as my clean up crew.

Thanks for your quick and informative response!

 

is your sand dirty?

 

I don't know. It doesn't look dirty, but maybe I just can't tell.

 

well if its dirty you will have a layer of dead phytoplankton (black layer) on it or else algae on it... if it looks clear then it hasnt hit you yet lol!

but u dont need to siphon sand. for when it does get dirty you will want to get some things to clean it:
only a little dirty= 10 or so nassarius snails or some type of burrowing conch if they cant hold it over
a pretty constantly dirty bed= sand sifting goby (in your 37 gallon it might not be the best idea and they get sand everywhere)
a horribly dirty bed= sand sifting star (will surely die in a mater of weeks in your tank from starvation)

so to answer a possible future question, id say stick with snails and they will move around your tank and stir up sand

 

Haha I'd rather not get a bunch of dudes that will die! The sand looks clear, so I guess it's fine still. So I'll just stick with the 10% water changes for now. I'm just nervous because everything was going along fine and dandy with my two original fish, but I just added two more on Friday, so I'm worried the tank's going to crash! Even though it shouldn't because it was healthy and I don't overfeed. Bu ya know, it's nerve racking!

Thanks for the help!

 

If you have a few inches of sand I would vacuum small areas at water changes. Bad things can build up in there and cause an unexpected nitrate spike. When I got my engineer goby he started stirring up all kinds a nasties. If you don't bother the sand at all it will be ok but just be aware what's lurking underneath. Just recently got it back to zero but it was quite an ordeal.

 

The thing is it's so hard to vacuum because of all the rock in the tank. But I could definitely try. Maybe I'll go buy a smaller siphon.

Thanks for your help!

 

The only time I've ever siphoned my sand was when I had a cyano outbreak in a few spots.

Also as far as the cycle goes I experienced the same thing. I never got an ammonia or nitrite spike. The live rock I added was really well established with tons of coraline on it. So, I think in my case the LR kicked right in and filtered right off the bat.