Is my tank ok

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by vegasfish, May 8, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. vegasfish

    vegasfish Feather Star

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    787
    Location:
    Henderson, NV
    I am cycling my new tank and I wanted to get some advise on a few things.

    Ammonia is 2.5

    Nitrite .05

    Nitrate undetectable

    PH 8.2

    Alkalinity normal range

    My concern is that some of my live rock is turning a rust color and the top layer of the sand is turning a rust color. Also deep in the sand bed there are black spots starting to form. Should I be worried about this and if so what can I do to fix it.
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. phoenixhieghts

    phoenixhieghts Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2007
    Messages:
    2,121
    Location:
    Manchester UK
    the rust colour is cyano forming - your till cycling, all normal!!

    Just let it be until ammonia and nitrite is untracable - dont even turn your lights on
     
  4. Iraf

    Iraf Snowflake Eel

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2008
    Messages:
    2,389
    Location:
    Tulsa, Ok
    as said above, all normal, run with no lights and take this time to play with the flow directions in the tank, let it finish it's cycle out
     
  5. vegasfish

    vegasfish Feather Star

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    787
    Location:
    Henderson, NV
    thanks guys now I can rest easy. I thought I might have a problem. my ammonia has been at 2.5 for 3 days now does that mean it has peaked?
     
  6. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    3,675
    Location:
    South Florida

    I'm gonna sound like a wise guy here, but you'll know when your ammonia has peaked, when you're testing it daily and for the first time ever it's gone down!!


    Ammonia peak is dependent on so many variables, it's hard to predict when ammonia will go no higher.

    The only constant is you're nearly guaranteed the cycle will be over within 14 weeks. Tough it out. ;D
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2008