Hello All-
I have had my 75 gallon tank running now for roughly 6 weeks. After many mistakes (adding live stock immediately to name one) I finally got my water readings to a decent level. I was told at one point (about three weeks ago) that my tank was done its cycle because all my readings were at 0. However, my NitRITES began to rise and I panicked so my LFS informed me that my cycle was not complete yet. Duing the time I thought it was complete I added a Feather Duster, Anenome Crab, and and Emerald Crab. Since then my readings have fluctuated in this manner;
NitRITE: 0
NitRATE: 0
NitRITE: .25
NitRATE: 10
NitRITE: 0
NitRATE: 0
NitRITE: .25
NitRATE: 10 and so on..........
My Temp. (78), PH (8.3) and Ammonia (0) have been consistent.
I was under the impression that my NitRITES would rise then turn into NitRATES and then level out to 0, which they have, but then they go up again, and then down, and so on.
Is this an indicator that my cycle is not in fact finished, or is this typical?
I had been doing water changes previously (two weeks ago) to get my NitRITE levels down, however, my LFS informed me that all I was doing was prolonging the cycle by not allowing the bacteria to do its work. So since then I have not touched A THING!
My Anemone Crab is still kickin' though it has begun to show yellowish-brown spots on its shell and claws. My Feather Duster appears to be happy and my Emerald Crab has disappeared (Eel ate him?) My Eel seems as happy as a pig in crap, eats really well, and is active.
Thanks for your help!
VTEEL
Thanks for your help!
I have had my 75 gallon tank running now for roughly 6 weeks. After many mistakes (adding live stock immediately to name one) I finally got my water readings to a decent level. I was told at one point (about three weeks ago) that my tank was done its cycle because all my readings were at 0. However, my NitRITES began to rise and I panicked so my LFS informed me that my cycle was not complete yet. Duing the time I thought it was complete I added a Feather Duster, Anenome Crab, and and Emerald Crab. Since then my readings have fluctuated in this manner;
NitRITE: 0
NitRATE: 0
NitRITE: .25
NitRATE: 10
NitRITE: 0
NitRATE: 0
NitRITE: .25
NitRATE: 10 and so on..........
My Temp. (78), PH (8.3) and Ammonia (0) have been consistent.
I was under the impression that my NitRITES would rise then turn into NitRATES and then level out to 0, which they have, but then they go up again, and then down, and so on.
Is this an indicator that my cycle is not in fact finished, or is this typical?
I had been doing water changes previously (two weeks ago) to get my NitRITE levels down, however, my LFS informed me that all I was doing was prolonging the cycle by not allowing the bacteria to do its work. So since then I have not touched A THING!
My Anemone Crab is still kickin' though it has begun to show yellowish-brown spots on its shell and claws. My Feather Duster appears to be happy and my Emerald Crab has disappeared (Eel ate him?) My Eel seems as happy as a pig in crap, eats really well, and is active.
Thanks for your help!
VTEEL
Thanks for your help!
