First water tests, 4 days in after the live rock - how does this look?

[mk1151]

Ammonia 2ppm
Nitrites 2ppm
Nitrates 10ppm

I've had the tank running with sand for 2.5 weeks, the live rock went in 3 days ago, and these are the test results from this morning.

Does this sound about right? Any corrective actions I need to take, or just let the biofilter build up and do its work?

Thanks!

[leebca]

Everything is fine. Just follow these guidelines: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[mk1151]

Everything is fine. Just follow these guidelines: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Thank you - I've already read your threads. I was hoping someone could offer some guidance about what these readings mean and what type of trending I will expect to see before they hit 0. Also, I've read that it's Ammonia and Nitrites are the dangerous ones, Nitrates are OK in the tank but I haven't seen anything specific as to what the tolerances are.

In addition, if ammonia and nitrites are 0, if the levels go to .25 ppm is that dangerous? At what level do I need to take corrective action vs. just monitor the tank water?

I haven't see any stickies on that.

[leebca]

What you are waiting for is for the bacteria to grow and start handling the poisons. Nothing to do but wait.

The ammonia and nitrites can go up; go down; remain level; and any combo of these, before they bottom out. Once truly bottomed out, they should NEVER return to anything measurable IF you are following good advice, going slowly, and taking care of the system.

The novice should keep checking for ammonia and nitrites even after they bottom out, whenever a change is made to the system (new equipment; equipment removed or replaced; new marine life additions; changes in maintenance; some life form dies or disappears; unusual appearance/cloudiness; sick fish; sick invertebrate; changes in filters; filter media; etc.).

The only time to take action is if things go wrong and these numbers increase when there are fish or immobile invertebrates in the tank. For now, as the tank matures, just wait.

[mk1151]

What you are waiting for is for the bacteria to grow and start handling the poisons. Nothing to do but wait.

The ammonia and nitrites can go up; go down; remain level; and any combo of these, before they bottom out. Once truly bottomed out, they should NEVER return to anything measurable IF you are following good advice, going slowly, and taking care of the system.

Well, for the past three days my Ammonia has been a clean zero. My nitrites are still steady at 2ppm.

Based on my reading I believe that means that the die off of the LR is done and now I'm just waiting on the bacteria filter to develop and process the nitrites into nitrates.

As an aside, I've got some really nice purple and red algae on the LR that seems to be covering more and more surface area!

[leebca]

You are correct about the nitrites. That red/purple coralline algae is very much coveted in the hobby. Some find it very attractive.

[mk1151]

You are correct about the nitrites. That red/purple coralline algae is very much coveted in the hobby. Some find it very attractive.

It is nice looking - very vivid colors...

Water is getting cloudy but it doesn't look like I have a lot of algae - perhaps it's additional setting of the LR.

Nitrites have gone from 2.0ppm to 0.5ppm so I think we're approaching a full cycle.

[berrymilan]

It looks good, i am sure you will enjoy their company, just go for it.