Are these readings strange?

[Sparky]

I started my SW tank on Feb 21 and as of today these are the readings I am getting. It seems that the tank is cycling, but in 10 days time? All I put into the tanks was some LR and some fish. (4) Damsels.
I know the readings are still high, but is this a normal time frame? I just want to know if I might have done something wrong.

Below I posted the log I have kept so far:

2-21-04 Installed water and salt

2-22-04 Put fish (4) into tank



Readings

Date NH NO2 NO3 PH SG

2-22 0 0 0 8.4 1.022
2-23 0 0 0 8.4 1.023
2-24 0 0 0 8.4 1.025
2-25 0 0 0 8.4 1.022
2-26 .20 0 0 8.4 1.021
2-27 .25 .25 10 8.5 1.021
2-28 .35 .75 10 8.7 1.022
2-29 .35 .35 15 8.6 1.022
3-1 .10 .80 20 8.5 1.022




I hope this formatted right.

 

[Sparky]

Guess not...LOL

 

[Brisc0]

If your post didn't format right, give the initial reading and the lastest reading and we can start from there with the correct info.

 

[Sparky]

Well they are there....

date............................. fisrt
Ammonia ..................... second
NO2.............................. third
NO3.............................. fourth
PH................................ fifth
Specific Gravity.............. last

Hope this helps out.

 

[Brisc0]

Well, cycle times are much different between tanks, expect it to take a good 4 - 6 weeks at the max.
When are you testing your parameters? I wonder about your PH fluxuation and its also a little bit high. I know you have fish in there but you will do better to limit your lighting to a few hours a day max, and best to use blue light only when doing that.
Your nitrate is now at 20 which is the envelope of my uncomfortable zone, keep an eye on that and change water as needed.
Your SG is still fluxing a bit, IMO I would bring it to 1.025 and find a topoff system that keeps it as steady as possible, 1.025 - 1.022 in a day (2-24 and 2-25) is going to be incredibly stressful for those damsels. If I were you I would take them back to the LFS, and use the fishless cycle in the following article.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=15
HTH and best of luck.

 

[Sparky]

I brought down the SG on that day because I thought that 1.025 was a bit too high. I must be wrong.....but you can see it has stabalized since then. The PH fluctuation happened after the water I added. It was dechlorinated tap water. Probably not the best thing to use either.

Thanks for the advice.......seems that what alot of folks are saying. I will have to see about getting them to another LFS, the one I got these from had burned down the day after I bought them. I will ease up the SG very slowly to 1.025 maybe evryy other day or three......would that be sufficient time?

 

[Brisc0]

Keep your water temp around 78 - 80 and when you top off your water everyday or every other day top it off with saltwater (avoid adding salt directly to tank, pre-mix and mature 24 hours). Once the SG you desire is reached begin topping off with RO/DI and it should stay stable. Check the SG ever four or five top offs and ensure that its not dropping too dramatically with your top offs. This is a hobby with hundreds of ways to do the same thing, don't be discouraged. The learning curve on SW is infinate, however the curve to get your foot in the door is much less severe. Everyone here is ready to help you! Best of luck and come back with as many questions as necessary.