R0/DI water

Hy Guys- Can anyone give me any guidance if I need to add any buffer to my RO/DI water? I started a new tank about a week ago and was told today that when you use RO/DI it takes all the buffering ability of the water out?????

In anyevent I checked all my levels today and here is what they are

Nitrite - 0
Nitrates - 0
Calcuim - 480
Amonia - 0
Salinity 1.023

Just want to make sure that my cycling has started?????

Thanks,
Justin

 

What is your dKH and Magnesium?? These are important parameters also that a lot of people forget about. How long has the tank been running???

 

I just looked and do not have kits for either one of these. Is Alkalinity the same as either of these?

The tank has been running for a week.

 

dKH is just another way to measure ALK, Mag is another element.

You need to let the tank run for 5 to 7 weeks, heck I cycled my tank in 12 weeks so just take your time. Do you have anything in it to establish bacteria??? I would put one (only one) yellow tail damsel in there and let him establish and maintain bacteria during your cycle.

 

How big is the tank?

 

The Tank is 120 gallons. I know I have to wait. My concern is that my levels are zero. When I set up my last tank I had Nitrates right out of the gate. (with no fish) With the RO/DI water all my levels are zero. I just want to make sure there is nothing I need to do to kickstart the cycle as I have not added anything. I think with my last tank I used Nitro Bac or something like that.

 

Yes, you need something. Like Otty said, YTD are a good start, may be small for the 120 though.

I have gone back and forth on the Live addatives and such. The tried and true method is add small strong fish like the damsel / Chromis.

Track the top 3 and you will know when its' done.

I too had N2, and P4 in my source water. Now with RO/DI they are 0, so thats good. Now you will need to add to start the process. Funny how that is, we dont want it until we want it....

Good luck

 

You have not put anything in there to start the cycle. Just putting LR in there is not going to start a cycle, it needs something to get it started.

 

Thanks- so here are my choices. What do you guys think? I could put in Stability, product sold by my LFS to start the cycle process or I currently have two Blue/Green Chromis that I could put in. Since it's a 120 should I put both or just one?

 

My 75gal took 7 weeks to cycle with 20lbs of live rock and a few cups of substrate from my established tank. I considered using a damsel but didn't have to because my levels started moving quickly. I did however see something once on using a piece of raw shrimp (from grocery store) to cycle it. Google that and check it out...