Readings??

[jgross15656]

Not sure where I am now. I set up my 75 FOWLR on 9/30. I didn't take my first reading until 10/3 and the ammonia was .25. All other readings were 0. I've been testing every 2 days, and since my first reading, the ammonia is at 0 and all others are 0 also. I only have 60 lbs live sand, 27 lbs LR, and I am using some old ( about 3 yrs) bioballs in my trickle filter. Should my ammonia have spiked higher in the first week? I've added nothing to the aquarium.
Thanks!!

 

[spilzer]

Ammonia doesn't occur without a source, such as a decaying raw jumbo shrimp or liquid pure 100% ammonia. Without adding an ammonia source to your tank the cycle will never get started. So I'd say that your readings are all at 0 because without adding the ammonia you would never get nitrIte or nitrAte.

 

[cmor1701d]

Go to the articles section and read the article on the fishless cycling method. For now I think you should add 1 or 2 raw shrimp to the tank and see where your readings are in a week. Put them in a mesh bag for easier retrieval later.

 

[jgross15656]

arrgh...and my live sand is getting a funky brown layer around the edges and creeping inward. Is there anything I can do about that now?

 

[HoCkEyGmC]

it'll go away in time.

 

[melosu58]

You just need to go through the cycle right now. Check for Ammonia and nitrites and nitrates. You could keep your lights out to keep down nuisance algea.