Testing water for first time.

[Jayson Ledbetter]

As of now my tank has been up and running for about two weeks with live sand. Going tomorrow evening to pick up 50 lbs Figi Tukani. What should my water be like with just two weeks of live sand. My Ph is around 8-8.2, and ammonia is .25, I will be testing the nitrates and nitrites in just a few minutes. And I've been running led lights 6-7 hours a night if that makes any difference. Thanks

 

[lmforbis]

Are you feeding the bacteria, rotting shrimp, ghost feeding, etc?

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

Update. Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 0 ppm
Ammonia .25-.50

I'm guessing the live sand isn't much for cycling a tank, so hopefully when I get my live rock tomorrow the cycle will get started.

No have not been ghost feeding or adding any shrimp.

 

[jay0705]

The fact you have ammonia, means the sand wasnt that alive either

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

The fact you have ammonia, means the sand wasnt that alive either

I will get my live rock tomorrow and go from there. Hopefully in 2-3 weeks it'll be getting somewhere

 

[jay0705]

Once you add the rock. Wait a few days and test again. There should be a change. Basically you need to go slowly to start. Ease into stocking. You have ammonia wich means your cycle has started

 

[lmforbis]

You need to add some sort of ammonia source to feed the bacteria while they populate your tank. I prefer ghost feeding.

 

[florida joe]

Just out of curiosity is this site the only resource for information on the hobby you are using

 

[beaslbob]

FWIW the lowest reading (.25ppm) on the api test kit is common in saltwater tanks. very hard with that kit to actually read 0

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

FWIW the lowest reading (.25ppm) on the api test kit is common in saltwater tanks. very hard with that kit to actually read 0

That's really good to know, thanks

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

Went and got some Figi Tukani today finally. So I'll keep an eye on my water conditions, hopefully 2 -3 weeks and I'll be getting there.

 

[one-fish]

When you add your LR would expect to see a rise in Amm. depending on your LR die off. You should be fine..watch your water params. Test frequently and be patient nature will run it's course

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

When you add your LR would expect to see a rise in Amm. depending on your LR die off. You should be fine..watch your water params. Test frequently and be patient nature will run it's course

Checked ammonia about 6 hours after adding the LR, it's at 1 ppm.

 

[one-fish]

Expected mine went off scale...you will be fine be patient and nature will work it's course...

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

Here's where I'm at 26 hours after adding the live rock.

Ammonia. .50
Nitrite. 5.0
Nitrate. 10

 

[jay0705]

Yup looks ok

 

[Shilpan]

Now just wait until it all finishes cycling. If the ammonia hits 0, and you are still waiting days or weeks for the nitrites to hit 0 you should consider ghost feeding. I found when I cycled my first tank last year, I had ammonia for 3 weeks, and then it was only in my fourth and fifth weeks which I had to ghost feed a tiny tiny bit of food every other day

 

[one-fish]

A+ Same here... Amm. levels high for over a month N02 was off scale for a month but I used a different method to 1st cycle my tank If had to do again would have used LR at the beginning not during the middle of it's cycle. Live and Learn....You should be fine watch your water chemistry

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

Ammonia down to 0
Nitrites have back downed some and nitrates are up a little.

 

[one-fish]

Wait 2 weeks before adding fish Add CUC after 10 days of no Amm. Do a big WC wait a week Then Add two fish....just want I'do