fishkiller
Active Member
Ok, the water has gotten a little clearer, and the brown diatoms have stopped. It has been a little over a month now since I started the thing. How will I know it is completely cycled? 
I think I am done cycling..?
- Thread starter fishkiller
- Start date
hhands361
Member
Kipass is right. Besides ph at around 8.2, your nitrites and ammonia should always be at zero or you got some problems. the nitrates, however, are anyones game. Mine are only 3 and dropping thank god, but others have anywhere from 10 to 200. They are your last worry, but still a big one.
ophiura
Active Member
I would be really worried with nitrates over 100 200 out of the question.
Nitrate is a fertilizer, and if it is really high, the algae problems will be huge. Hopefully this is not an issue. Nitrates around 10-15 aren't a huge concern. But once they start to climb, IMO, it is time to take some action...reevaluate feeding, stocking, refugium potential, water changes, etc.
So definitely test nitrate!
200 out of the question.Nitrate is a fertilizer, and if it is really high, the algae problems will be huge. Hopefully this is not an issue. Nitrates around 10-15 aren't a huge concern. But once they start to climb, IMO, it is time to take some action...reevaluate feeding, stocking, refugium potential, water changes, etc.
So definitely test nitrate!