Cylcle Help!! Params on Rise!!

[turbonerd]

Hi all i'm 2 weeks into cycling my tank and the water readings are all high today. 24Gal Nano Cube. Cycling with live rock and sand, phantom feeding brine shrimp.
the params are:
PH: 7.8
Ammonia: 4.0
Nitrite: 5.0
Nitrate: 20
SG: 1.029
Temp: 82
Is this normal for cycling? Should i do a water change now or is it too early in my cycle?
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[bigarn]

To save some of the critters in the LR you might want to do a water change now. After the change challenge the cycle by phantom feeding again and see where your levels are at.

 

[turbonerd]

complete water change or just a partial?

 

[bigarn]

Originally Posted by turbonerd
complete water change or just a partial?
A 15% water change should do it.

 

[turbonerd]

i did the suggested 15% water change and the params right after the change are as follows:
PH: 7.8
Ammonia: 2.0
Nitrite: 5.0
Nitrate: 20
SG 1.025
Temp: 81
The ammonia has gone down a bit...all others are still the same...is that how its supposed to be? will the other levels go down in time?

 

[turbonerd]

help?

 

[monalisa]

Just let the readings run their course...that's what the cycle is all about. Once they zero out and stabilize for a couple of weeks...cycle complete.
One red flag that I noticed on your "before" parameters was the SG...ideally you would like to get those stabilized at between 1.023-1.026. Of course that depends on what kind of a tank you're going for. Lower for FOWLR, higher for reef and inverts.
Best of luck with your new venture.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[turbonerd]

yeah it was a little high because of the evaporation...after i changed the water i measured it and it was fine...