mmcguffi Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I started testing the water 3 days ago (one week into my cycle) and Im kind of alarmed by some of my levels. The progression has gone as such: pH - 7.9, 7.8, 7.9 NH3 - 3, 2, .5 NO2 - 0, .33, 3 NO3 - 15, 40, 70(!) salinity: 1.024-1.025 temp: 78-80 No unwanted growth of algae or diatoms yet. Im worried that this is dangerously high for some of my hitchhikers (lots of sessile worms, bristle worms, starfish, etc) or just very bad in general. Some of the small worms on the rocks are usually constantly out looking for food but now they are closed up and I actually saw one spinning around in the water column. I have a 6 gal fluval edge with ~11 lb cured LR. Any tips/help/answers would be much appreciated! Link to comment
OClownsandNanos Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I started testing the water 3 days ago (one week into my cycle) and Im kind of alarmed by some of my levels. The progression has gone as such: pH - 7.9, 7.8, 7.9 NH3 - 3, 2, .5 NO2 - 0, .33, 3 NO3 - 15, 40, 70(!) salinity: 1.024-1.025 temp: 78-80 No unwanted growth of algae or diatoms yet. Im worried that this is dangerously high for some of my hitchhikers (lots of sessile worms, bristle worms, starfish, etc) or just very bad in general. Some of the small worms on the rocks are usually constantly out looking for food but now they are closed up and I actually saw one spinning around in the water column. I have a 6 gal fluval edge with ~11 lb cured LR. Any tips/help/answers would be much appreciated! Those nitrate levels are quite high. If it were my tank, I'd do a large water change to get them lower (preferably below 20 ppm). Link to comment
Dasani Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Just let it cycle, then do water changes....my dads tank had 180+ NO3 and nothing died. Link to comment
Zer0 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Just let it cycle, then do water changes....my dads tank had 180+ NO3 and nothing died. +1 If you do water changes it is possible to slow down the cycle. I would just wait until it's over. Then do your water change like Dasani said. Link to comment
gulfsurfer101 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Ooh! I hate the poo poo water. I would maybe add some carbon to your filtration to maybe try and provide some relief for whatever is still alive in your rocks and just wait to do a water change till things have settled down. Then remove carbon and wait to see from there. Link to comment
GiantBen Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Am i missing something? Why are people concerned with testing and correcting params during a cycle? I just set it and forget it. Start testing after a month of cycling. Link to comment
MitchReef Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Am i missing something? Why are people concerned with testing and correcting params during a cycle? I just set it and forget it. Start testing after a month of cycling. Excellent advice. I only test so I can be amazed at just how high things get!!! Link to comment
mmcguffi Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Ooh! I hate the poo poo water. I would maybe add some carbon to your filtration to maybe try and provide some relief for whatever is still alive in your rocks and just wait to do a water change till things have settled down. Then remove carbon and wait to see from there. Ive got some carbon in the filter... +1 If you do water changes it is possible to slow down the cycle. I would just wait until it's over. Then do your water change like Dasani said. Am i missing something? Why are people concerned with testing and correcting params during a cycle? I just set it and forget it. Start testing after a month of cycling. Good to know. Im just tracking my cycle so I know exactly when I can start adding things and I only posted this as I really dont want to lose any of my awesome hitchers. I guess Ill just have to ride it out though. Link to comment
justinT Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 just let it run- honestly since you know the cycle has started I wouldn't even bother wasting your test kits just to find out its still cycling. Wait a week then test it again. You could always do a few water changes here and there, you'll eventually have to get that # down before you add stock anyway. Link to comment
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