fayzane Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I have a 24g aquapod, and put 20lb of Tonga LR in it a week ago. I have been feeding the tank small amounts of frz mysids to kick-start the cycle. What's happening, however, is very confusing. I am using brand new API test kits. My ammonia went as high as 1.0, nitrite 0.25, and nitrate 5.0. By day 6, all parameters are ZERO? What gives? There is no macroalgae, coral or anything else in the tank and the water has not been changed. Where did the nitrate go? Link to comment
BibleSue Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Yup! That's how a tank cycles. Now you get to wait for the cyano phase. That, too, shall pass. Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 This process you speak of is called DENITRIFICATION. I suggest reading >>THIS<< article on The Nitrogen Cycle for more information. Link to comment
fayzane Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 Already? Holy moly that was a short run! Link to comment
johnmaloney Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 anaerobic bacteria in the rock got your nitrates. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 All your nitrate are belong to them. Link to comment
Gvtv44 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 But they can have them! Because I doubt you wantz! Link to comment
lakshwadeep Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 All your nitrate are belong to them. Link to comment
fayzane Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 Way Awesome! My last tank didn't denitrify, I had to perform water changes. Guess I got some pretty sweet rock this time! (happy dance) That's gotta be the shortest cycle I've ever seen in my limited experience! Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 All your nitrate are belong to them. Fosi, didn't you write the article? Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Yes indeed. But that was two years ago and the basic principles of chemistry and biology might have radically changed since then... But probably not. If the OP had a bunch of labile DOC floating around, the denittrifiers might have chewed right through his NO3 stockpile. Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Yes indeed. Cool. Credit where credit is due. When I first read it, I was like and . But now I'm like and . Link to comment
The Propagator Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 All your nitrate are belong to them. EXCELLENT usage ! ( YES I remember the "all you're .. what ever.. belong to us ". I just mean excellent twist-fit. ) Link to comment
fayzane Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hey, I LIKED 'all your nitrates are belong to them!' I now have 0.5 phosphates and a light dusting of diatoms on the rock. My sand arrived and will be installed tomorrow. It'll be interesting to see how that ends up affecting the cycle. Good thing I am happy staring at a box filled w/ water and rocks! Link to comment
BlueAbyss Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hey, I LIKED 'all your nitrates are belong to them!' I now have 0.5 phosphates and a light dusting of diatoms on the rock. My sand arrived and will be installed tomorrow. It'll be interesting to see how that ends up affecting the cycle. Good thing I am happy staring at a box filled w/ water and rocks! You mean you can put more in a glass box other than rocks and water? Oh, wait, you've got sand too What's your overall plan for this tank? Or did I miss it somewhere? Link to comment
fayzane Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Um, eventually I will put more than rocks and water and sand in my glass box. I may have to wait longer as the sand was not in when I needed it so I still have to install the substrate and I don't know if it'll cause another spike. I'm not in any hurry, just staring at the rock is quite pretty actually. Tank Plan: 1. Absolutely plan on mushrooms (love those) 2. would like to try xenias. Love leather corals so expect to get a tiny leather frag at some point. 3. Maybe a small montipora at the top of the tank, we'll see (this is still the stock lighting). 4. Possibly a frogspawn 5. MUST have a shrimp, preferably skunk cleaner variety 6. I could concede and get a sexy shrimp or two instead 7. Still debating about fish The goal of this tank is to go very slowly and plan everything out before I do it. Part of my dissatisfaction with my last tank was that it was just haphazardly slapped together with equipment that didn't really suit my purposes. And I have come to realize that I need to research more before I bring stuff home, which is why I am 'considering' a lot of things but have no hard plans aside from the mushrooms and a resident shrimp or two. Link to comment
nyfishguy Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Way Awesome! My last tank didn't denitrify, I had to perform water changes. Guess I got some pretty sweet rock this time! (happy dance) That's gotta be the shortest cycle I've ever seen in my limited experience! you mean THIS happy dance?? :happydance: :happydance: reefing is full of great little triumphs isn't it?? Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 The goal of this tank is to go very slowly and plan everything out before I do it... I have come to realize that I need to research more before I bring stuff home... Sounds like you have learned from past mistakes. I imagine that this tank will live up to your hopes. Link to comment
fayzane Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 Yes, THIS happy dance! :happydance::happydance: I have learned from my mistakes and am trying not to make new ones Link to comment
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