Tank readings

Hi All,

Ok I have been checking my tank every other day for water quality. Readings now are as follows:

Ammonia = 0 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 20 ppm.

I have read differing views on water changes and turning on my skimmer etc.

I am pretty confident I am close to the end of cycling, so I guess my question is what approach people would use to reduce my nitrate level.

 

You also need to know what Ca, Mg, & ALK is in the water. As for skimmer...you won't need to turn it on for about 5 to 6 months because you will be removing nutrients that you need in a new tank.

 

Tested calcium, phosphates, alkalinty DKH. Don't believe either of my kits has a test for Mag. I am using API's saltwater and Reef test kits.

Calcium reading is 480
DKH is at 12 or 214.8 ppm kh according to kit.
Phosphates are at zero.

 

I was thinking of doing a half a gallon water change and adding back in some carbon filtration as right now all is being done by my liverock.

 

Ok i did a 3 gallon water change on tuesday.
Tested again today.

0 ammonia, 0 nitrite but still have nitrate sitting at 20ppm.
Any suggestions?

 

What exactly do have in the tank now (rock, sand, fish etc.)?

 

I'm sure that people will tell you better then I .... But..

You are close to the end of cycling..
BUT maybe not there yet.. And you should hold up on water changes, etc.. I think nitrate is the last level to go down... Just give it alittle more time, befor messing with your water..
Remember.... Go Slow..... LOL
This is JMO and what I also went thru...
I didn't add anything, and my nitrates went on down..
And they still jump around sometimes up to 10.., then back to 0....

Good Luck, Larry

 

My ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, got to your readings within a few weeks. Then stalled.

I didn't change anything. About a month later, my nitrates suddenly started dropping and within two weeks were down to 5 and three weeks later were at 0. And have held. I only added a clean up crew and I did that once I got to your current levels.

That's, IMO, your next step. CuC. http://www.reefcleaners.org

That process started in August and I will be adding my skimmer after Christmas. I still have no coral and will be adding a new fish this month. (I have 2 clowns through the cycle).

So my approach and recommendation is do nothing for now.


Also, I have your exact API test kits. I have a Red Sea for Magnesium.

IMO, at this moment, you only need your original posting measurements. Until you start thinking about getting coral anyway. BUT, I have been doing all the tests (Ca, dKh, Mg, etc) all along the way and keeping a log. This has proven useful to see trends in my tank so I can start planning and learning about dosing, etc. for later. I highly recommend it.

Hope my experience is helpful for you.

 

Thanks for all the replies,

Right now all I have in the tank is live rock,
I would like to start adding some snails to deal with algae dont have much of it now. I did have a brown diotom bloom but that has pretty much died off. Slowly adding a cleanup crew was what I was thinking of doing. That makes sense that the nitrate's take a while to drop. I will hold off on doing anymore water changes for now.

While this tank continues to cycle I can be planning my next tank