nitrate levels. help

[Travis55]

Hey all, my tank has been cycling with live rock for about 3 1/2 weeks. My trites are zero and ammonia is coming down. My question is my nitrates... what side of the card do I read? High or low? Here's a pic of what I'm talking about...

Left is high, right is low... I really wannacput my fish in there! Lol

 

[Kio707]

It's low, but you need to still wait to put fish in. Wait till your ammonia comes down.

 

[Travis55]

It's low, but you need to still wait to put fish in. Wait till your ammonia comes down.

My ammonia is down to .5 from like 5.0 a week ago.

 

[Kio707]

K, your going to see your nitrites going up. It's not through cycling yet.

 

[Travis55]

K, your going to see your nitrites going up. It's not through cycling yet.

My nitrites where above 1 which is the highest my cart reads and now they are zero.

 

[Kio707]

What test set are you using?

 

[Travis55]

What test set are you using?

This one.

 

[Kio707]

Try an API test kit, it's about $25. It'll give you better level readings. You want your ammonia and nitrites perfectly zero. If it's only reading 1 then 0 on trites, I wouldn't trust it. This is IMO. I still think you need to wait.

 

[Travis55]

Try an API test kit, it's about $25. It'll give you better level readings. You want your ammonia and nitrites perfectly zero. If it's only reading 1 then 0 on trites, I wouldn't trust it. This is IMO. I still think you need to wait.

How long do I need to wait? Its been 3 and a half weeks.

 

[Kio707]

I know. It takes each tank different times. Just gotta be patient. Mine took 6 weeks for my 90g.

 

[Travis55]

I know. It takes each tank different times. Just gotta be patient. Mine took 6 weeks for my 90g.

Ok. I guess ill just wait it out...

 

[Kio707]

I know it's hard, but it'll pay off in the long run.

 

[MBliss81]

If you have anything but 0 Ammonia you are not done cycling. Once the ammonia drops, the nitrites will come up as a result. Then they’ll drop and nitrates will rise. Wait until you have 0 ammonia, and 0 nitrites, then do a good water change and your tank will be cycled. Adding anything before that will just be the beginning of months of frustration, trust me.

 

[Travis55]

If you have anything but 0 Ammonia you are not done cycling. Once the ammonia drops, the nitrites will come up as a result. Then they’ll drop and nitrates will rise. Wait until you have 0 ammonia, and 0 nitrites, then do a good water change and your tank will be cycled. Adding anything before that will just be the beginning of months of frustration, trust me.

Thanks for the info. I guess for now ill save my tests and just check ammonia once or so a week till its zero and then do others. My salinity is almost 1.032 can that mess with my levels?

 

[Kio707]

No. but you need to drop it. Use less salt when doing mixes for pwc. For now, let it be till everything is 0.