how to figure when your cycle is done

How do you know when your cycle is done?

 

your cycle should be done after the ammonia spikes, then the nitrites, then the nitrates. Once your nitrates start rising after the nitrite spike goes down to 0 do a decent sized water change and you should be good to go.

~Will.

 

i might be wrong but i believe the nitrates should read zero also.

 

i dont think the nitrates have to be zero considering many of us have nitrates at the 10-15 range is not more for some....and we have successful reefs...but your kinda by where i live! LIKE 2-3 hours or so....but i make that trip all the time!

 

by who killa?

 

well I am currently in the brown algae thingy, Diatom stage. Am I almost there?

 

do a forum serach, theres a few good threads about diatoms and where you sit in the cycle stage. But to my understanding you're getting there. Dont rush into buying a CUC though, the diatoms should dissapear all by themselves unless your using tap water in which case you may have problems with them until you see the light of RODI.

 

do you have a test kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

~Will.

 

i dont have test kit, and yes i used tap water x.x
I didnt put any RO/DI from lfs.

 

Ok, go out and get yourself an API master saltwater test kit. Its has all you need to get started and is pretty cheap. The kit should have ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and PH test kits. Its that or bring a sample of water to your LFS and let them test it for you every week to keep an eye on your parameters.

There's no way to know where your cycle is at without either of these options. I tested my water every other day when I was cycling, and now i'm down to once a week for everything. The test kits don't look like much, but they last a good while.
~Will.