Cycle....Is this right??????

[mary787]

:notsure: My tank has been setup for 5 days, 30gal. 16pds LR, 15 lbs aragonite sand. Test today read...0.0 ammonia, which I have not seen go up at all since I started, but nitrites read 4.0ppm, and nitrates read 80ppm.....is this right?? Nitrites read 2.0ppm on yesterday. I thought ammonia would go up first, then nitrites, then nitrates. Did the tank start cycling? I have no fish at all in there, and I don't put on the light either. Have a powerhead and bio-wheel filter and heater at 80 degrees....any suggestions????// thanks :joy:

 

[southcoral]

well, i'm just starting out, haven't even bought the tank. But you'll want to have algae, it's good for your tank, or so i've heard
:happyfish

 

[mary787]

How long do you think before I start seeing any? And should I leave my lights on or off?

 

[lefty]

Wow Mary, your tank sounds exactly identical to mine! Set up for five days, 20lbs of LR, bio-wheel filter, nitrate levels and everything .
Yes, your tank is cycling. Keep the lights off--you don't want your tank to be overrun with algae. I would like to learn more about what to expect as well.
-lefty

 

[fishhugger]

sounds right to me, the nitrites will go up then down, then the nitrates will go up and down, i think ammonia will also, you will know when the cycle is done because nitrites, trates, and ammonia will read zero.

 

[fishhugger]

I hope this is helpfull to you, if you have anymore questions, feel free to ask:joy: :yes: :jumping: :jumping: :happy:

 

[superhero]

Hey, mary. I would recomend getting rid of your bio-wheel, I've heard they are nitrite/ate factories.
-Tony

 

[southcoral]

i heard that algae is a very good sign. its eating something that's not good in your tank. What i had planned on doing to mine, was during the cycle let the algae grow as it may, then buying a cleaning crew to get it out of there, i hate algae, it's nasty looking

 

[lion_crazz]

Your cycle sounds like it is going well so far. The ammonia may have spiked in the first few days, and you just may habe missed the ammonia spike and drop. However, your cycle is right on track. Do not add anything into your tank until your nitrites come down to 0, and then you need to do your first water change to get your nitrates down a bit.

 

[mary787]

:joy:

THANKS.........what would I and my tank do without you guys....but as the Terminator said in his movie, "I'll be back"......with more questions...