Week 5...still no cycle detected..

[peacher213]

Tank has been setup and running for 4 weeks, now on week 5. However I have not seen a rise in any nitrites or nitrates. My ammonia level is too hard to read. It looks like is between 0 and .25ppm. It looks more like 0. I have green hair algae growing in the tank. No CUC yet, and everything seems to be striving in the tank. (including algae) well I slowed my feedings way down. The blue damsel is eating GHA off the glass and sand. I have talked to my LFS about this and everyone says that if Im growing the algaes, it should be at the end of the cycle..or finished cycling.

I've also been told that the algaes grow due to high nitrates and phosphates. Well nitrates are Zero, and I dont have a phosphate test. Should I do a water change and see where it takes me? I need some further guidance here.

Ps I used biospira on week 2. Ive heard of people saying they never detected a cycle. I find this hard to believe..After researching the stuff...maybe I got lucky?

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

If the tank cycled without being noticed, the algae may be consuming nitrates/ phosphate as fast as its being produced. Refresh my memory. What size tank? How muck LR? And what test kit brand/ type are you using?

If there is not 0ppm ammonia, I'd assume the tank is still not cycled. Even if you're not sure, I would error on the side of caution and give it some more time.

[peacher213]

The tank is a 60 gallon, a little over 60lbs of live rock. Testing with API master kit. I think the ammonia is zero. (too low to really read)

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I use API for nitrates myself. One thing I noticed is that if you don't follow the test procedure exactly as described in the booklet, the results are extremely inaccurate. 5 MP of water in the tube, 10 drops of solution #1, cap and shake the tube for 5 seconds. Shake solution #2 bottle for 30 seconds before adding 10 drops to the tube. Shake the tube for no less than 60 seconds and let it sit for 5 mins. I kept getting 0 readings during my tanks cycle until I did that. When I did it right, my trates read high. HTH.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I use API for nitrates myself. One thing I noticed is that if you don't follow the test procedure exactly as described in the booklet, the results are extremely inaccurate. 5 MP of water in the tube, 10 drops of solution #1, cap and shake the tube for 5 seconds. Shake solution #2 bottle for 30 seconds before adding 10 drops to the tube. Shake the tube for no less than 60 seconds and let it sit for 5 mins. I kept getting 0 readings during my tanks cycle until I did that. When I did it right, my trates read high. HTH.

"5 MP" should be 5 ml. I still can't go back and edit my posts once submitted. The "edit" link doesn't work for me.

[peacher213]

Ill try that..I didnt shake the tube between bottles

Sent from my Inspire using Tapatalk.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

In case you overlooked or I didn't explain it right ( and just as a reminder), bottle #2 needs to be shaken for 30 seconds before using it and once both bottles are added, the tube needs to be shaken for 1 minute.

[peacher213]

You are a savior...I retested and now show a nitrate level of 10ppm. So I suppose a water change is in line.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Glad you got it resolved. Starting a regular water change schedule would be a good idea. Also, don't forget to test for and maintain the proper levels of calcium, alkalinity and magnesium (if you're not already doing so). good luck and keep us posted!

[peacher213]

Will do, I need a reef test for my alk and calcium levels. I will post results as soon as I get a test kit.

[CMOS]

Glad you got it resolved. Starting a regular water change schedule would be a good idea. Also, don't forget to test for and maintain the proper levels of calcium, alkalinity and magnesium (if you're not already doing so). good luck and keep us posted!

No hijack: what specific test kit for Calcium, etc. would you recommend for a reef tank?

Thanks,
CMOS

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Actually, I just got a Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro kit in the mail today. I haven't used it yet but the new kits seem to be getting good press. I still have a salifert test kit for magnesium so later on, I'm going to compare the two brands. Salifert is a highly recommended and well known brand. The price is higher though.

[Original Fin]

No hijack: what specific test kit for Calcium, etc. would you recommend for a reef tank?

Thanks,
CMOS

Sent you a PM.


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