Added more LR and now tank params. are off

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Krypt

Aquarium Advice FINatic
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
752
Location
Holley, NY
I don't understand what I did. I had my 55 gal cycled with 30 lbs LR and I wanted to add another 45 lbs. The readings of my tank before adding the rock were:
amm: 0
nitrite:0
nitrates: 10
phos: 0
ph: 8.2
alk. 2.5 (redsea test kit, idk what the conversion is but in normal range)
SG: 1.024
temp: 78
The rock had been curing for 3 weeks in my 30 gal rubbermaid and after testing and 50% water changes every other day, the readings in the curing tub hit amm: 0, nitrite:0, nitrates: 20. At that time I figured it was good to put in the tank so yesterday I reaquascaped with the new LR and walked away from the tank a very happy man.

I figured I would check the DT's params today and just double check and this is what I found:
amm: 0.25
nitrites: 0.5
nitrates: 10
phos: 0.1
ph: 8.2
alk: 2.5
SG 1.024
temp 78

It appears a mini cycle is going on, is this normal? Did I do something wrong? I thought once the curing tubs readings hit the right marks for 1-2 days it was good to go to place in the DT. :confused:
 
If it all tested out ok you probably stirred up some nasties resulting in the mini. If you're worried about the amm and nitrite levels give it a dose with Prime (or equivalent) till your bacteria catch up
 
I'm not too concerned about the minicycle really, I know it'll probably pass in a few days. I was just wondering if I had missed a step that caused it, but now that you mention stirring up nasty stuff, I do recall alot of junk coming out from under some of the LR in the tank when I moved them. Guess if I move the rocks around again I'll have a siphon on standby to vacuum out the junk I see.
 
when i do my monthly cleaning of my mbuna tank, i keep the python on standby, and as i move my rocks, i suck up the nasties... its a good practice imo :)
 
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