Strange A-N-N Cycle

[gamma]

I am on day 12 of my tank cycling. I have tested every other day for ammonia & nitrite, but have had nothing detected. Since I haven't detected any of these yet, I haven't bothered to test for nitrate. Today, still nothing for ammonia or nitrite. I figured I would test for nitrate just for the heck of it and to my surprise it was detected.

these are the latest tests on my tank:

pH = 8.0
sg = 1.020
ammonia ~ 0
nitrite ~ 0
nitrate ~ 12.5 mg/l

Is it possible to skip over the ammonia and nitrite stages? I started off w/ all LS & cured LR. I have read that even using cured LR that there should still be a full ANN cycle.

[Craig Manoukian]

What test kit are you using?

[gamma]

Using the tetra test kit.

Take some water to the LFS and have them test it and see if it matches your results.
A tank has to have ammonia to get Nitrites. It has to have Nitrites to get Nitrates.

Small water changes dilutes the Nitrates

[Craig Manoukian]

I agree with Dave on this one!

[Phil5613]

Not the cycle being over but.. I have seen a tank or two that is cycled with cured liverock and the type of ls that is sealed in a bag actually show a small spike over the corse of one day and then disappear. I find the problem then is it recycles when livestock is added so my word of caution is go really slow and test daily once you add live stock

[Craig Manoukian]

Great point Phil! I was just about to post the same thought. No matter what cycle the tank has gone through, you will see a spike of ammonia as livestock are added.

When adding livestock please go slow and only add 1 or 2 hearty fish at a time and then test and don't add any more fish for awhile..weeks. Keep testing.
Your Salinity is too low.
pH reading is too low.
Calcium reading?
Alk reading?
These are all important to see if the tank is balanced.

Oh and Karma for all here...It's Easter

[Craig Manoukian]

Great advice Dave. That "Go Slow and Let it Grow" mantra can't be stressed enough!

Happy Easter!