New tank

[granpafish]

Set up a new 40 gal tank 12/26. Purchased 40 gal saltwater from LFS. Added 40lbs live sand and 10 lb live rock. I have tested for ammonia several times including last 3 days. Highest level of ammonia has been .25. Nitrite and Nitrate zero. Ph is ~8.1. Added 5 hermit crabs 1/2/15. I expected ammonia to spike bt now. Is this a normal cycle?

 

[mauler]

If there's still an ammonia reading then your tank isn't cycled

 

[granpafish]

Ok thanks. Shouldn't ammonia level reach above .25 at some point? I was expecting a spike above 4.0.

 

[bang guy]

A couple thoughts:

What in your tank would produce ammonia? It would seem the live rock you acquired was already cured so wouldn't have much die-off.

In my opinion, ammonia levels above 1.0ppm are harmful to the cycle so a steady 0.25 - 0.50 ppm ammonia level is what you want.

Try adding fish food to stabilize the bacteria levels. Add about what you are going to feed your first fish. This will prepare the system for the fish as well as mature the bacteria colonies. This is called ghost feeding.

 

[granpafish]

Ok thanks I appreciate your help - I'm learning, albeit slowly! I will research ghost feeding to learn more.
If I understand correctly the cycle is not complete. I should check for a nitrite spike and then a nitrate spike and then wait for these to return to zero before adding fish.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Nitrate will slowly decrease after the initial spike only if you have a fair amount of live rock. If using base rock, there isn't enough biological filtration to get it back down to zero.

If your using API test kits, keep in mind that the nitrAte test tests for total nitrogen and may give a false reading on nitrate.

In any case, welcome to the forums! I hope you enjoy your stay!