Cycling?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by TCKelsey, Jan 5, 2009.

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  1. TCKelsey

    TCKelsey Astrea Snail

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    Dec 30, 2008
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    Ive had my tank running with LR an LS for almost a week now. I just checked out some tests and this is what i got...

    PH - 8.8
    Ammonia - 1
    Nitrite - 5.0
    Nitrate - around 80

    Are these levels normal?.. does this mean my tank is currently cycling? and will they go down?
     
    TCKelsey, Jan 5, 2009
    TCKelsey, Jan 5, 2009
    #1

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  2. m_hsiao

    m_hsiao Purple Spiny Lobster

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    466
    yes it's normal and yes it will go down, give it sometime, don't do any water changes or anything, let the tank cycle and just let it idle there.. no need to run light on that tank eitehr as it will just promote algae growth
     
    m_hsiao, Jan 5, 2009
    m_hsiao, Jan 5, 2009
    #2
  3. cuttingras

    cuttingras Starving Artist :)

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    Location:
    Louisville, GA
    go up, go down, go up, go down. yes this is normal. pH is high but that'll go down too(or should) give it 3-4 more weeks and there will be 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 0-40(+/-40 lol)
     
    cuttingras, Jan 5, 2009
    cuttingras, Jan 5, 2009
    #3
  4. TCKelsey

    TCKelsey Astrea Snail

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    ok thanks guys... and you said i shouldnt run my lights?.. I actually have 1 lil sgt major in my tank right now..
     
    TCKelsey, Jan 5, 2009
    TCKelsey, Jan 5, 2009
    #4
  5. m_hsiao

    m_hsiao Purple Spiny Lobster

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    unless you have corals, there is no need for light at this point, or if you really want to, you can just turn it off to feed fish and then turn it off after.. it will help with the algae cycle as it will help minimize the algae growth when you have a algae bloom which will come..
     
    m_hsiao, Jan 5, 2009
    m_hsiao, Jan 5, 2009
    #5
  6. TCKelsey

    TCKelsey Astrea Snail

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    Dec 30, 2008
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    Well i Just tested my tank again today and these are the results i got...

    Nitrite - 0 ppm
    Nitrate - 0 ppm
    Ammonia - .50 ppm
    PH - 8.0

    Am i done cycling? Is it safe to finally add fish?
     
    TCKelsey, Jan 9, 2009
    TCKelsey, Jan 9, 2009
    #6

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  7. bc219

    bc219 Millepora

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    Mishawaka, IN
    No, you have several more weeks. You should have 0 Ammonia, 0 nitrite & 0 or less than 20 nitrate when you even think about starting. It usually take 4-6 weeks.
     
    bc219, Jan 9, 2009
    bc219, Jan 9, 2009
    #7
  8. hydrojeff

    hydrojeff Montipora Capricornis

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    i am new to this but can nitrates go from 80 to 0 in 5 days........
     
    hydrojeff, Jan 9, 2009
    hydrojeff, Jan 9, 2009
    #8
  9. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    Location:
    Dallas
    Typical cycle:
    A Typical Break-In Cycle

    There's a lot of variables that will change the speed of bacteria growth. Everyones results vary a little.
     
    Av8Bluewater, Jan 9, 2009
    Av8Bluewater, Jan 9, 2009
    #9
  10. TCKelsey

    TCKelsey Astrea Snail

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    Dec 30, 2008
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    im very new to this also... but im smart enough to do the stupid tests right... that's the results I got. so im asking what they mean?

    Posted via Mobile Device:
    Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint:MotoQ9c
     
    TCKelsey, Jan 9, 2009
    TCKelsey, Jan 9, 2009
    #10
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