My tanks cycle
- Thread starter crazymman
- Start date
Bifferwine
I am a girl
That may be the highest your ammonia goes up. It looks like your tank is in the middle of the cycle.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
Yeah, the test strips do suck. Get some liquid, for sure!
yote
In Memoriam
You may find that the tank has already cycled when you get away from those strips.
The strips are notorious for showing ammonia when it should actually show none.
The strips are notorious for showing ammonia when it should actually show none.
coolhandgoose
Reef enthusiast
How are you measuring alkalinity?
Are you using tap water?
Are you using tap water?
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
Oh boy....not good to use tap in this hobby. You can usually get rodi from your lfs, or distilled water from walmart. The algae could be a result from using tap.
And you're correct, if the rocks and sand were from an established tank, you will have little to no cycle. There will be some die off, but your cycle should go faster.
I'd really suggest not using tap...you'll find it's going to cause more problems in the long run. You're in for a lot of water changes using rodi or distilled.
And you're correct, if the rocks and sand were from an established tank, you will have little to no cycle. There will be some die off, but your cycle should go faster.
I'd really suggest not using tap...you'll find it's going to cause more problems in the long run. You're in for a lot of water changes using rodi or distilled.
VAreef
Reefing newb
Second the don't use tap water. It's not death or anything but you should start using clean water from now on. I started up my tank again with everything from another tank. I also used about 30 gal of their water. I didn't have a bit of a cycle. I did have a lot of nitrates though. Get those liquid test kits. You may find out like Yote said you are already done with your cycle.
BL1
.............
You can get jugs of distilled water from wal-mart
Ulta
REEFER
Yeah, I was using tap water in my tank and everything seemed to be pretty kosher but I did notice that after I added about 5+ gallons of tap water (I have well water) I had another brown diatom outbreak, after they were starting to clear up. My guess is that adding the tap water gave nutrients (probably silicates) that the diatoms thrived on. So I started going to the Local water store buying a 5gal jug for $12 and the refills on it are only $1.25. I use that for water changes now.
And as far as Alkalinity goes, I'm under the impression that it is the ability of your water to react to a ph buffer so being high is not really a bad thing. (I have the same high Alk in my month old tank ;)
Mayb some vets can confirm this for you but this is what I've gathered from my experience & research on the matter.
And as far as Alkalinity goes, I'm under the impression that it is the ability of your water to react to a ph buffer so being high is not really a bad thing. (I have the same high Alk in my month old tank ;)
Mayb some vets can confirm this for you but this is what I've gathered from my experience & research on the matter.
VAreef
Reefing newb
I suspect your high alk is just your test strips. You really need to get a real set of readings on your tank. Depending on your budget you can also get an RO/DI unit for around 135-150 bucks. For a 55gal tank your getting to the point that a filter is worth it for the amount of water you will be using.
coolhandgoose
Reef enthusiast
When I first started I made the mistake of using tap water and my alkalinity was off the charts using a drip tester. I think I stopped even trying to measure after about 30dKH. So I suspect your high alkalinity is due to tap water. If you have a fish store near you I'd take a water sample in to them and get it tested.
