cycle started....need some help

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Piano10, Jun 26, 2015.

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  1. Piano10

    Piano10 Aiptasia Anemone

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    Hi Everyone,

    I have had my 15g set up since Sat and I have been testing every few days to monitor my levels.

    I have 15lbs of live rock and base rock(9lbs of liverock)
    20lbs caribsea Fiji pink livesand

    Now I tested Monday .50ppm Ammonia
    0 Nitrites
    0 Nitrates

    Same test results Weds

    Friday 0.25 ppm Ammonia
    0 Nitrites
    10 ppm Nitrates


    I have not experienced these types of numbers before, all my other tank cycles in the past have had Nitrites present?

    Anyone have any suggestions?
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Sounds perfectly normal, you just missed nitrites. Interpreting values gets tricky when you go with live rock.
     
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  4. Piano10

    Piano10 Aiptasia Anemone

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    Theres no way the cycle is done in a week?
     
  5. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    As implied, you change the equation when you use live rock. How much is live and how well cured it is can alter the outcome dramatically. Yes, fully cycled in 1 week is possible, although I personally would still "test" it with a second dose of ammonia.
     
  6. Piano10

    Piano10 Aiptasia Anemone

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    I guess I'm recalling the last time I cycled my tank with LR and it was a few weeks.

    Could I use flake food to test for a second dose of ammonia?
     
  7. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Yes, but depending on your bacterial colonies, you might not get a spike.
     
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