Cycle Beginning!

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xkenneth

Aquarium Advice Activist
Joined
Apr 20, 2006
Messages
134
So i've just started cycling my tank, it's been about a few days now. I took the advice of the forum and threw in a piece of raw shrimp. Anyways, here are the test results.

PH: 7.6
Nitrite: 2ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Ammonia: 8ppm

How often should I be testing at this stage? Also, should I be worried about bringing the PH up yet? I haven't tested the specific gravity, but I know it should be close enough to where it should be. Thanks!
 
Sweet, I just started my cycle as well, but my #'s are a bit different.

Using the same shrimp method after about 1 day.

pH 7.8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Ammonia 0

What size tank do you have?
 
You wont see nothing after one day. Maybe after a few like Ken. But for most it takes about a week to start. Both of you be patient and in a few weeks you`ll be on your way. Make sure you have cameras because I want to see some pics :)
 
Marc118 said:
Sweet, I just started my cycle as well, but my #'s are a bit different.

Using the same shrimp method after about 1 day.

pH 7.8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Ammonia 0

What size tank do you have?

Hey, Marc. I just started my cycle yesterday as well. I'm doing a pure ammonia cycle along with some filter grime from the LFS.

I'll be testing tonight and I'll post my numbers.

I have a 225 tank with crushed coral and a fluidized-bed filter.
 
Man I wish i had room for a 225! Thats awesome, I cant wait to see it.

hmmm.....who needs a love seat anyways? LOL

Whats the dimensions?
 
Yeah, I'm pretty excited about it. I'm so awesome with my big tank! Ok, back to my humble self.

It's 6 ft long, 2.5 ft high and 2 ft wide. I wanted another 125 like I used to have, or a 150. Then this guy was like "How about a 225?" and the price was right. It really doesn't take up much more room that a 125 would have.

What are your plans for your tank?
 
A wee bit of reef, and a few fish. Ive only got 30g to work with...trying to moderate what i want, and what i can have.

Will my tank be cloudy for a few days? I havent cycled a tank in a few years.

They have these looooong and low acrylic tanks that i really like at the LFS. They have a 200g with stand, sump, 4 power heads, skimmer, ect.

If they still have them later on that is what i plan on running and using this 30 for a QT.
 
PH - 8.2
Free Ammonia - NH3 - 0.3
Nirite - 0
Nitrate - 0
SG - 1.020
Temp - 80


Hmmm. . . I think I might need to add more ammonia.
 
Mine is only a ten, and I know what you're thinking. Unstable. I'm really going to put alot of work into this little bugger. Once i convince myself I can handle this little tank, I've got a 75 sitting by I'd love to get going under saltwater. I've worked up plans in my head for a stand that contains a sump and quarantine inside the stand.

EDIT:

So in my initial fill up of the tank i used distilled water, which cost me a pretty penny since I was too lazy to drive an extra 5 miles and buy the 5 gallon jars instead of the 1 gallon containers. Anyways, i've just tested my tap water and the results are very good. O ppm on nitrate, nitrite and ammonia and PH is at about 8.4. I don't have a test kit for phosphate, can anyone suggest one? Also, is there any chance the PH in my tank is going to change over the cycle? Or should I just go ahead and order some solutions to change it? I'm really hopeful that i'll end up being able to use the local tap water. Thanks for all the help.
 
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