38gallon cycle,how do these stats look so far?

[abstract37]

set my tank up 9/6/08 did first test tonight 9/8/08 (just bought test kit)
PH 7.8
NH3/NH4 0.50
NO2 0ppm
NO3 0ppm
am doing fishless cycle,have had a medium size shrimp in tank for 24hrs,do these readings look ok? Have 40lbs LS and 20lbs LR in tank.

[abstract37]

oh my temp is right at 80,
im sure no one needs to know this
NH3/NH4 Ammonia
NO2 Nitrite
NO3 Nitrate

[TropicalNorth]

Your pH is a little low, it should be at least 8. What do you have for circulation and/or aeration? Have you checked the alkalinity?

Personally I like to just cycle with the live rock, animals on the live rock will provide a low and constant supply of ammonia instead of the spike achieved by having a dead shrimp in there. The higher the ammonia spike the more life that dies on the live rock, it all depends how much life is on the live rock though (not much life = use a dead shrimp, lots of life = no need for shrimp). Just a personal preference though, looks like your cycle is on its way.

80 is a good temp.

[abstract37]

Your pH is a little low, it should be at least 8. What do you have for circulation and/or aeration? Have you checked the alkalinity?

Personally I like to just cycle with the live rock, animals on the live rock will provide a low and constant supply of ammonia instead of the spike achieved by having a dead shrimp in there. The higher the ammonia spike the more life that dies on the live rock, it all depends how much life is on the live rock though (not much life = use a dead shrimp, lots of life = no need for shrimp). Just a personal preference though, looks like your cycle is on its way.

80 is a good temp.
i have 2 koralia's and on my canister filter im using the jet nozzle on the return,not yet checked alkalinity yet,thanks for the reply

[abstract37]

i took the shrimp our today has been 36hrs and smelling pretty bad,everything is still the same except my Ammonia,it has dropped to 0.25,and ideas or comments from anyone on this?

[TropicalNorth]

I would do an alkalinity test. Alkalinity and pH are linked, if the alkalinity is low the pH probably will be too. You can raise both with Bicarbonate of Soda if needed (just mix a teaspoon or less with some freshwater then add to the tank slowly, then re-test the pH and alkalinity). I would also test the saltwater that you mix up, if its low then you will know thats the problem but if its fine then something is going on in the tank.

Another reason why the pH may be low is from bad air exchange at the surface, if you have lids on the tank you could try taking them off and see what happens. pH is nothing to panic about yet, it can take a little while to get right, but you need to get it stable and above 8 before you add any critters.

I would keep monitoring your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You should get a lowering in ammonia, then a raise in nitrite, and then finally just a reading for nitrate. Once you have about a week of zero ammonia and nitrite, good pH and alkalinity and everything is running smoothly then you can add a couple of snails and/or hermits. I wouldn't add your first fish until around 4 weeks into the cycle. This gives the tank enough time to cycle fully and any possible problems to present themselves.

[abstract37]

I would do an alkalinity test. Alkalinity and pH are linked, if the alkalinity is low the pH probably will be too. You can raise both with Bicarbonate of Soda if needed (just mix a teaspoon or less with some freshwater then add to the tank slowly, then re-test the pH and alkalinity). I would also test the saltwater that you mix up, if its low then you will know thats the problem but if its fine then something is going on in the tank.

Another reason why the pH may be low is from bad air exchange at the surface, if you have lids on the tank you could try taking them off and see what happens. pH is nothing to panic about yet, it can take a little while to get right, but you need to get it stable and above 8 before you add any critters.

I would keep monitoring your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You should get a lowering in ammonia, then a raise in nitrite, and then finally just a reading for nitrate. Once you have about a week of zero ammonia and nitrite, good pH and alkalinity and everything is running smoothly then you can add a couple of snails and/or hermits. I wouldn't add your first fish until around 4 weeks into the cycle. This gives the tank enough time to cycle fully and any possible problems to present themselves.
I will go buy an alkalinity test kit today,is it ok if i dont add any fish untill after about 8weeks?i work off-shore and wont be back untill the end of october.my wife watch's my tanks while im gone.thanks for all the info

[TropicalNorth]

That's totally fine, the longer you leave the tank before adding fish the better. The live rock will keep the cycle kicking along. My first tank went for around 6 weeks before I added any animals, it was just live rock for that time.

[abstract37]

been testing everday,today 9/11/08 @ 9:00pm
PH= 8.0
Ammonia= 0ppm
Nitrite= 0ppm
Nitrate= 0ppm
salinity= 1.020
Alkalinity= 250 ppm (the test kit i got for this one was not API they where out,it is something by marineland,you have to count the number of drops then divide that by 2 then multiply x50)
what do you think so far of these?

[abstract37]

been testing everday,today 9/11/08 @ 9:00pm
PH= 8.0
Ammonia= 0ppm
Nitrite= 0ppm
Nitrate= 0ppm
salinity= 1.020
Alkalinity= 250 ppm (the test kit i got for this one was not API they where out,it is something by marineland,you have to count the number of drops then divide that by 2 then multiply x50)
what do you think so far of these?
im not sure about that alkalinity test,this test kit is kind of confusing,on the back is range 0 to 5.0 milliequivalents/liter.it has marineland and aquarium systems inc. on the back card,i will by API when they have it

[abstract37]

im not sure about that alkalinity test,this test kit is kind of confusing,on the back is range 0 to 5.0 milliequivalents/liter.it has marineland and aquarium systems inc. on the back card,i will by API when they have it
i found it online it is Instant Ocean® Alkalinity Test Kit

[abstract37]

i found it online it is Instant Ocean® Alkalinity Test Kit
ok i found another web sight and i think it should be 5 milliequivalents per liter,can anyone comment on this and tell me if i am correct? thank you

[Amphiprion]

Your alkalinity is actually pretty high. Honestly, I'd just leave your pH alone. The likely explanation is the organic acids that are coming from processes during the cycle, as well as carbon dioxide, all of which lower the pH.

[cav]

I'd recommend buying a Salifert Alkalinty test kit. Much more acurate and easier to read than most others and the chart with the kit tells you both Dkh and meq/l.