Is this normal???

[thewolfman777]

I am in the process of cycling my tank. My wp's are: ph: 8.2, Ammonia: 2.0, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: 10, SG: 1.022-1.023. Is this normal since the nitites are @ 0 and the nitrates are @ 10. I have been using bacterial agents like Cycle and Biozyme, could this be the reason for this? I am planning on going out and buying some lr, will this help with this?

 

[nitrex]

What test kit are you using? My FasTest kit produces a reading of .1 ppm ammonia no matter what I do and my tank has been runnning for over eight years. I even tested the tap water by just mixing salt and then testing and I still got .1 ppm w/the FasTest kits...my Nitrates also always test at just about 10ppm.
How long has the tank been cycling for? did you ever test for nitrites? That would be a sure tell sign that the tank has developed the essetial bacteria to break down ammonia and ntrite. I personally have never cycled a tank with any of those agents b/c I don't understand exactly what's in them and how they coul affect other aspects of the bio load, not that I'm condeming it, I just I preferred not to...I've always just used Black mollies or damsel fish.
I think you just haven't given it ample time to cycle....adding cure live should help reduce the ammonia eventually, but it might cause a spike initially.

 

[thewolfman777]

My wp's are: ph: 8.2, Ammonia: 2.0, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: 10, SG: 1.022-1.023. Yes i test for ammonia trites, trates, ph, sg everyday. the tank is almost 3 weeks into the cycle. I do have 3 damsels in the tank right now and they are doing fine. I use dr. wellfish master test kit. My question is is it normal to have your TRATES elevated even before your TRITES start to build? I agree with you guys on the suppliments, I am not happy with their performance and I am going to stop using them.

 

[nitrex]

No it's not normal to have trates before trites...the whole cycle is amm->trites-> then trates...that's why I asked if you noticed a rise in you trites...sounds like you might be getting a faulty reading on the trates...
good luck...hope this helps.

 

[thewolfman777]

that is what is confusing me, absolutely no nitrite reading thus far. do you think using the suppliments have something to do with that at all? it is possible on the faulty reading, do you recommend a better test kit? Also, will lr help correct this?

 

[mlm]

I would try a different test. I always use two different kits to make sure I am not getting falty readings.

 

[fshhub]

no, it is not normal, but then again it could be in you sittuation, to have trAtes before trites, here is a little game you can play, when yu have time, test your source water, 98% of water sources have some trAtes in them, even bottled water
and i don't either reccommend the use of cycle addatives at all
lastly, i do agree, with the lr and dsb suggestion, hwever, my rec. is 1.5 lbs per gallon(that is the only difference, i just like a bit more, personally)
HTH

 

[thewolfman777]

you guys were right. the test kit i was using was giving inaccurate readings. i switched to the pill form test kit and what a difference. trites are up and trates are at 0. i did go out and buy some lr too. thanks for the help everyone.