Live rock cycle, are these readings looking ok?

I would expect a bit more fluxuation...but that seems reasonable. Temp seems low to me. I'd try 78-80.

Are you using tap water? The presence on nitrates so early may be a problem in the long run, but for now you'll want to keep monitoring it--maybe have your water source checked as well. Otherwise, looks like it's progressing well.

Charcoal won't really remove much of the nitrates from tap water. There are some filtration options that would--like using Reverse Osmosis filtration. Mostly, at this point you'll need to be aware that you will be adding nitrates with each water change, and that the tank may be prone to algae growth. I would plan on having some means of 'harvesting' the nitrates--adding some macro algaes, such as caulerpa. The caulerpa will use the nitrates, and you can then remove a portion every now and then to get them out of the system. Might never become a problem, so this is mostly about planning ahead, especially if you want a reef system. Most fish are quite tolerant of low nitrate levels, but some corals are not.

spankey said:

Is there other opions besides tap water.... Guess I got into the hobby prematurely?

Click to expand...

RO really isn't too expensive, depending on where you get it. I see RO units at HomeDepot and Costco for like $69.

Another option is to simply get distilled water from any water store in your area, or even some grocery stores. It's a heck of a lot easier with a 5g jug of distilled water, but even the 2g jugs on the shelves in the stores should be a zillion times better than the tap water.

And trust me, out here in San Diego, tap water is B-A-D.

thanks,
bruce

Nitrites should go down next-mine went at about the same downhill speed as the ammonia

Nitrates are not part of the cycle as I think of it but I'm pretty new. I think that will stay as is or close to as is because it was in your water to start with(I use tap too but am staying FO)

IOW, you're close

Keep feeding--won't hurt.

Water changes to reduce nitrites and nitrates will NOT lengthen the cycle time. Bacteria colonies have a set doubling rate, and it's more reliant on temperature than food availability--the bacteria will multiply at the same rate if there's twice as much food as they need, or less than half. The difference between the 2 scenarios is how much of the colony will survive. So, detectable nitrite = colony survival and growth.

But--as long as the nitrites don't rise enough to inhibit growth (staying under 10 ppm is good, less than 5ppm ideal, IMO), you're fine, and doing water changes will just cost more in salt.


Do you have a sand bed? Sand beds will reduce nitrates as the anaerobic bacteria colonies become established within the sand bed. Adding macro algaes like caulerpa will help reduce nitrates as well. RO water can be purchased--in the long run, this is much more expensive than getting an RO filter of your own, though. Ebay and a local home improvement store are great places to shop for water filters.