Nitrates high in a Cycling Tank- Normal?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by ZC42, Dec 27, 2011.

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  1. ZC42

    ZC42 Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Hey guys,

    Is it normal to have really high nitrates in a cycling tank? Right now, everything is perfect except for .25 ammonia and 80 for nitrates. Im using live sand from a healthy lfs tank they were trying to get rid of and 100% live rock, and have been cycling for about 9 days. I'm getting a lot of diatomic algae and I heard somewhere that means I'm almost finished with the cycling process? It seems a little too quick...

    Thanks!
     
    ZC42, Dec 27, 2011
    ZC42, Dec 27, 2011
    #1

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  2. SwimsWithFish

    SwimsWithFish Giant Squid

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    Diatoms generally are the "beginning of the end".
     
    SwimsWithFish, Dec 27, 2011
    SwimsWithFish, Dec 27, 2011
    #2
  3. ZC42

    ZC42 Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    lol but is it normal for it to be going that fast?
     
    ZC42, Dec 27, 2011
    ZC42, Dec 27, 2011
    #3
  4. SwimsWithFish

    SwimsWithFish Giant Squid

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    With 100% live rock I'm not surprised.
     
    SwimsWithFish, Dec 27, 2011
    SwimsWithFish, Dec 27, 2011
    #4
  5. brunoboarder244

    brunoboarder244 Torch Coral

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    every tank is different, i used 100% LR and LS and mine cycled in under 2 weeks
     
    brunoboarder244, Dec 27, 2011
    brunoboarder244, Dec 27, 2011
    #5
  6. sticksmith23

    sticksmith23 Giant Squid

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    Nitrates seem a little high, but I'm sure they will come down. Sometimes with using all LR, you don't even have a cycle lol.
     
    sticksmith23, Dec 27, 2011
    sticksmith23, Dec 27, 2011
    #6