what are the right test kit readings? PLEASE ANSWER!!
- Thread starter new_noob
- Start date
thankgod4fish
Member
Are the LR + hitchhikers the first additions to the tank? Did you cycle the tank before adding them in? If the tank's freshly filled, then the ammonia spike should be expected. The rock is starting your cycle, which the hitchhikers may not survie. If your tank was already cycled, it could just be a mini-cycle; from the die-off on the LR.
If you're cycling the tank with the LR, then the best thing to do is wait it out.. you need to let the tank develop the beneficial bacteria that consume the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. If you're worried about the hitchhikers not making it through the cycle, there are additives that detoxify (not remove) ammonia, although I'm not sure if that would affect the cycle itself.
If you're cycling the tank with the LR, then the best thing to do is wait it out.. you need to let the tank develop the beneficial bacteria that consume the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. If you're worried about the hitchhikers not making it through the cycle, there are additives that detoxify (not remove) ammonia, although I'm not sure if that would affect the cycle itself.
squidd
Active Member
OK Grasshopper 
D ) NOW you are "Cycling"...
Ammonia levels go up...peak...and then go down as bacteria convert Ammonia to NitrIte...
As Ammonia level goes down you will see NitrIte level rise...peak... and then go down as bacteria convert NitrIte to NitrAte...
NitrAte level will start to rise as Ammonia and NitrIte levels go to 0
At this point (Am 0,NitrIte 0, NitrAte 10+) you can do a water change to "refresh" the tank and add your first fish...
There really isn't much you can do to "lower" Ammonia/NitrIte levels other than water changes to "Dilute" Doing so will only prolong the cycling proces...The tank must go through this cycle to establish proper levels of bacteria...
As long as there are no fish in there it would be best to just let it go through its "natural" cycle...
As far as life on the rock...some (most) will make it some will not...The "natural" die off is probably what started your cycle in the first place...
D ) NOW you are "Cycling"...Ammonia levels go up...peak...and then go down as bacteria convert Ammonia to NitrIte...
As Ammonia level goes down you will see NitrIte level rise...peak... and then go down as bacteria convert NitrIte to NitrAte...
NitrAte level will start to rise as Ammonia and NitrIte levels go to 0
At this point (Am 0,NitrIte 0, NitrAte 10+) you can do a water change to "refresh" the tank and add your first fish...
There really isn't much you can do to "lower" Ammonia/NitrIte levels other than water changes to "Dilute" Doing so will only prolong the cycling proces...The tank must go through this cycle to establish proper levels of bacteria...
As long as there are no fish in there it would be best to just let it go through its "natural" cycle...
As far as life on the rock...some (most) will make it some will not...The "natural" die off is probably what started your cycle in the first place...
kzlen
Member
yep thats what did it. you didnt cycle your tank before adding LR or you did cycle your tank and added uncured LR. Whatever the case its a cycle. Your snails and hermits could make it, some may die..who knows. good luck Keep an eye on your levels, the end product of a cycle is Nitrate, then the algae sets in, brown diatom algae, then green... Be patient for the cycle could be as little as 2 weeks or as long as a month.. It varies. Just keep an eye on those levels!