first fill - non RO water
- Thread starter topofsteel
- Start date
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3264216
Are any of you measuring nitrates at the end of the cycle?
not at the end. Nitrates are 0 then.
But with macro algaes (or other algaes) present right from the start I do get an initial nitrate spike of up to around 20ppm or so. Which drops down in a few weeks. During that time I get only very small almost unmeasureable ammonia/nitrIte spikes.
my .02
http:///forum/post/3264216
Are any of you measuring nitrates at the end of the cycle?
not at the end. Nitrates are 0 then.
But with macro algaes (or other algaes) present right from the start I do get an initial nitrate spike of up to around 20ppm or so. Which drops down in a few weeks. During that time I get only very small almost unmeasureable ammonia/nitrIte spikes.
my .02
tur4k
Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3264216
Are any of you measuring nitrates at the end of the cycle?
I've never had more then barely detectable levels of nitrates in my tank. I have chaeto in my fuge, I skim like crazy and I do frequent water changes. Most of my LR came from an established tank. So I've also never had detectable levels of ammonia or nitrites.
http:///forum/post/3264216
Are any of you measuring nitrates at the end of the cycle?
I've never had more then barely detectable levels of nitrates in my tank. I have chaeto in my fuge, I skim like crazy and I do frequent water changes. Most of my LR came from an established tank. So I've also never had detectable levels of ammonia or nitrites.
cranberry
Active Member
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3264218
not at the end. Nitrates are 0 then.
How are they being removed immediately after the cycle, if not by a water change?
http:///forum/post/3264218
not at the end. Nitrates are 0 then.
How are they being removed immediately after the cycle, if not by a water change?
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3264227
How are they being removed immediately after the cycle, if not by a water change?
LOL...WAIT!!!! Let me guess....MACRO ALGAES
http:///forum/post/3264227
How are they being removed immediately after the cycle, if not by a water change?
LOL...WAIT!!!! Let me guess....MACRO ALGAES
tur4k
Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3264227
How are they being removed immediately after the cycle, if not by a water change?
I think he is saying they are being absorbed by the macro's during the cycle. So at the end of the cycle, there are not nitrates because the macro's are able to keep up with them.
http:///forum/post/3264227
How are they being removed immediately after the cycle, if not by a water change?
I think he is saying they are being absorbed by the macro's during the cycle. So at the end of the cycle, there are not nitrates because the macro's are able to keep up with them.
srfisher17
Active Member
Me too, 30+ years. It all depends on your source water, IME&IMO. Your local water must give you a water quality report; use it and test for everything you can. As to an initial fill, assuming the tap would be replaced in time, it shouldn't be a big deal---unless you had real water quality problems. Also; I'd find a way to do easier water changes than a 5 gal bucket (unless you have a small tank). Water changes get done on time far more when they are easy. A hose, garbage can on wheels (with pump) are a couple of suggestions.
cranberry
Active Member
Originally Posted by tur4k
http:///forum/post/3264237
I think he is saying they are being absorbed by the macro's during the cycle. So at the end of the cycle, there are not nitrates because the macro's are able to keep up with them.
Ah... I don't add my macros until after the cycle.
http:///forum/post/3264237
I think he is saying they are being absorbed by the macro's during the cycle. So at the end of the cycle, there are not nitrates because the macro's are able to keep up with them.
Ah... I don't add my macros until after the cycle.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3264228
LOL...WAIT!!!! Let me guess....MACRO ALGAES
C you guys and gals don't need my help.
Originally Posted by tur4k
I think he is saying they are being absorbed by the macro's during the cycle. So at the end of the cycle, there are not nitrates because the macro's are able to keep up with them.
Actually just the opposite. During the cycle the algae is getting its nitrogen from the ammonia and therefore nitrates do build up. Then as the cycle completes and more bacteria reduce the ammonia, the algae is forced to get its nitrogen from the resulting nitrates. So at the end of the cycle nitrates finally drop down.
my .02
http:///forum/post/3264228
LOL...WAIT!!!! Let me guess....MACRO ALGAES
C you guys and gals don't need my help.
Originally Posted by tur4k
I think he is saying they are being absorbed by the macro's during the cycle. So at the end of the cycle, there are not nitrates because the macro's are able to keep up with them.
Actually just the opposite. During the cycle the algae is getting its nitrogen from the ammonia and therefore nitrates do build up. Then as the cycle completes and more bacteria reduce the ammonia, the algae is forced to get its nitrogen from the resulting nitrates. So at the end of the cycle nitrates finally drop down.
my .02
cableguy
Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3264193
Did you have live rock? How did you cycle the tank?
115lbs of LR
Just let it run its course with two 5G changes near the end.
http:///forum/post/3264193
Did you have live rock? How did you cycle the tank?
115lbs of LR
Just let it run its course with two 5G changes near the end.
jackri
Active Member
When it comes to problems with the tank I think it really comes down to 2 key things.
1 -- what are you keeping? Fish only? SPS? Huge difference in water quality needed
2 -- how good or bad is your tap water. My tap water consistently reads over 800-900 ppm on my TDS meter out of the tap and if you set a glass out the "fuzz" settles in the bottom inch of the glass overnight and NO we will not drink it or let our birds drink it either.
Would conditioned tap water keep say a trigger and a lion? Probably no problems. A full tank of corals? I wouldn't risk it again.
1 -- what are you keeping? Fish only? SPS? Huge difference in water quality needed
2 -- how good or bad is your tap water. My tap water consistently reads over 800-900 ppm on my TDS meter out of the tap and if you set a glass out the "fuzz" settles in the bottom inch of the glass overnight and NO we will not drink it or let our birds drink it either.
Would conditioned tap water keep say a trigger and a lion? Probably no problems. A full tank of corals? I wouldn't risk it again.
tur4k
Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3264412
When it comes to problems with the tank I think it really comes down to 2 key things.
1 -- what are you keeping? Fish only? SPS? Huge difference in water quality needed
2 -- how good or bad is your tap water. My tap water consistently reads over 800-900 ppm on my TDS meter out of the tap and if you set a glass out the "fuzz" settles in the bottom inch of the glass overnight and NO we will not drink it or let our birds drink it either.
Would conditioned tap water keep say a trigger and a lion? Probably no problems. A full tank of corals? I wouldn't risk it again.
I have fish, misc crustacians, a lot of LPS, a couple of clams, some softies and a few SPS. I used conditioned Miami tap water for initial fill. I have more resources now. So I probably wouldn't do it again, but I haven't had any problems related to filling with tap water.
http:///forum/post/3264412
When it comes to problems with the tank I think it really comes down to 2 key things.
1 -- what are you keeping? Fish only? SPS? Huge difference in water quality needed
2 -- how good or bad is your tap water. My tap water consistently reads over 800-900 ppm on my TDS meter out of the tap and if you set a glass out the "fuzz" settles in the bottom inch of the glass overnight and NO we will not drink it or let our birds drink it either.
Would conditioned tap water keep say a trigger and a lion? Probably no problems. A full tank of corals? I wouldn't risk it again.
I have fish, misc crustacians, a lot of LPS, a couple of clams, some softies and a few SPS. I used conditioned Miami tap water for initial fill. I have more resources now. So I probably wouldn't do it again, but I haven't had any problems related to filling with tap water.
noah's nemo
Member
If your not even willing to put your tap water into your own body then ok,,i wouldn't use it.What i may consider is, moving
....
cranberry
Active Member
I don't personally think it matters what you plan on putting in there. This is just the cycle/startup I'm talking about. Before you introduce something delicate or something like SPS, your tank should be nice and mature by that time anyways. There should be many many water changes between the cycle and introducing such critters... water you started with should pretty much be moot at that point.
But agreed, common sense should say if you don't drink it, your fish shouldn't drink it. Getting water reports can give you extra insight, but they are traditionally have to fall within a range of human safety. Well water I have no opinion on because I've never looked into it. We are just dishing out guideline advice and there will be exceptions to absolutely everything in this hobby.
But agreed, common sense should say if you don't drink it, your fish shouldn't drink it. Getting water reports can give you extra insight, but they are traditionally have to fall within a range of human safety. Well water I have no opinion on because I've never looked into it. We are just dishing out guideline advice and there will be exceptions to absolutely everything in this hobby.
topofsteel
Member
I decided on buying an RO/DI unit. I don't have anyplace to mount it but I plan to build a stand. It was a no brainer. Thanks to everyone for their response.
cranberry
Active Member
Originally Posted by topofsteel
http:///forum/post/3265801
I decided on buying an RO/DI unit. I don't have anyplace to mount it but I plan to build a stand. It was a no brainer. Thanks to everyone for their response.
Hmmm... no brainer, huh?
I have some AWESOME tanks for having no brains.
http:///forum/post/3265801
I decided on buying an RO/DI unit. I don't have anyplace to mount it but I plan to build a stand. It was a no brainer. Thanks to everyone for their response.
Hmmm... no brainer, huh?
I have some AWESOME tanks for having no brains.
topofsteel
Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3265807
Hmmm... no brainer, huh?
I have some AWESOME tanks for having no brains.
Relax, I meant for me. As big of an investment as this is, i don't want to take the chance. My water tastes bad, I wouldn't want to swim in it.
http:///forum/post/3265807
Hmmm... no brainer, huh?
I have some AWESOME tanks for having no brains.
Relax, I meant for me. As big of an investment as this is, i don't want to take the chance. My water tastes bad, I wouldn't want to swim in it.