New Tank Parameters

[ZADL11]

Hey guys,

 

I just set my 20 gallon long tank up this past Saturday (1.30.16). It has 20 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand. I just did a test on my water yesterday (2.2.16)

 

Here are my parameters:

 

pH: 8.0

Ammonia: 0.2

Nitrite: 0.05

Nitrate: 2

Alkalinity: 2.9

Salinity: 1.025

Temperature: 78 degrees

 

I was just wondering why my Ammonia isn't higher for a tank that just recently started? Perhaps the 20 lbs of live rock and live sand helped speed up my cycle? I spoke to someone at my LFS and he said that he thinks the live rock and live sand in my tank pushed my cycle forward and I should just wait about 1 week until my Ammonia readings reach 0. Would love to hear some feedback. Thanks!

[Stephosaurus]

Without any sort of kick starters, it can take several weeks before your tank begins to cycle naturally. Test every couple of days until you see your ammonia cycle, then you'll know the cyle has begun.

[newbiereeferrob]

what worked for me was adding half a shrimp for 24 hours and then removing it, my ammonia had a big spike, followed by the nitrogen cycle running its course. I then did a water change and added a CUC and moved forward from there. You want to make sure you have enough of a bacteria base to handle spikes in ammonia, so test your water regularly in the beginning and just go slowly, it will be worth it when your tank is beautiful!