QT Tank Cycle?

[northeastern]

So I set up a qt tank using a new tank, new heater and the filter I use to run on my display. The foam was run in the display for 3 weeks and then moved to my qt that was 50% display water 50% clean saltwater.

 

 

Now a week later I'm getting measurements of roughly 1ppm ammonia and 1 ppm nitrite... Is this suppose to happen?

 

Should I let it run or do a water change using both new water and display water?

 

There is nothing in the qt tank now but I was planning on adding a fish soon based on what I read about setting up qt tanks...

[northeastern]

So I talked to the owner of my lfs and based on his advice I did a 80% wc using half tank and half new water and I will continue to do daily water changes and watch the levels . From what I read a qc tanks cycle is normally just avoided through wc's?

 

 

I'm only confused because I dont understand what it is that is causing ammonia? I know if a tank is run empty the bacteria will die so I am afraid that running my qc tank without a fish I'm actually killing the bacteria thats been introduced to my tank from my display and causing a cycle that I dont want.

 

 

Im in no rush to get a fish but I dont want to make no progress with this qt tank.

[peasofme]

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