Is this normal of a tank cycle? Other questions as well?

=spankey]My issue is this.. Isn't that supposed to drop to 0 and then my NO3/Nitrates then go up and then that to 0? Well with my Nitrites being high I also have NO3 in the 80-100ppm range also at the same time...

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MOSES! NO3 shouldn't be anywhere near 20 ppm unless you've been feeding your crabs by the pound! A piece of shrimp one-third the size of a grape is enough for one day for crabs. The only other thing I can think of is a massive die-off of critters in the live rock, but 5lbs of rock won't do that.

The snails and crabs are thriving. I can even see copepods on my sponge

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Most snails and crabs can handle a cycle (I cycled my 55 gallon tank with live blue crabs I caught myself at the beach). But only a gradual buildup of toxin. I've had little gnat-sized 'pods in several tanks I've cycled, even at the most toxic of conditions. This is good, let them run their course. They will eventually begin to thin out when you add fish (later on!).



<<<My Ph is testing 8.1 at day and 8.4 at night>>>

Do you have that backward? pH usually drops at night due to the lack of CO2 useage by plant activity (CO2 forms a mildly acidic carbonic acid). It builds the acid at night and the plants (algae) use it in the day, causing the pH to climb back up a notch or two.

<<<3 watts of PC over the tank in which is 10,000k and acintic.>>>>

Lol, 3 or 30? 30 will squeak you by with a fish-invert tank but no photosynthetic critters should be expected to be happy. If you can double that number you're in real good shape (my 15 nano has 80 watts and does well).


<<<I just haven't seen these test results for No2 and No3 move in the last week.. Again, everyday my ammonia is totally 0.....>>>

Cease any feeding and have patience. The NO2 cycle is the longest and most agonizing part of the cycle. It often builds to levels off the charts of most test kits (mine stop around 4ppm) all the way to 20,30,40,50.... but it will suddenly drop in a day or two if you have good water circulation (ie, at least 150 gph in a 15g).



<<<I neeed to add another 8-10 lbs of live rock. I know that would either extend the cycle or cause a mini cycle.. But if mine never finished, would it hurt to add another 10 lbs today?>>>

I dunno, I've never done this. I'd make sure there's plenty water flow in the tank and cease any feeding (other than an atom of shrimp every third day for the crabs) and just wait. It may happen tomorrow or next week or the week after, but it will happen if you have a light load.

<<< I really wanted to start adding either some mushrooms or polyps but am afraid I am going to kill them? Is there anything else I could add that would do ok on the end of the cycle?>>>>

Please don't! They may live, may not. Likely not. Especially with 1.5 watts per gallon. Save your cash for the cycle to end. THEN I'd add the extra live rock, monitor your water quality for ANOTHER week for the inevitable mini-cycle, then start slowly adding shrooms and zoanthids.

<<< but I don't want to waste money on buying a fish that might die and I don't think its fair to the fish to you "USE" it as a cycle fish...>>>

Good man! I like you already. I've used various cheap crabs to cycle my tanks (with or without live rock) and the crabs actually seem to like it (they like anything that includes a free meal).

<<< Should I be reading high on NO2 AND No3 at the same time???>>>

Not unusual to happen, but not super-high NO3. Expect to do a 100% water change when the cycle finishes b/c you're simply NOT going to get the nitrates down to the safe range. Grow some caulerpa algae in your nano and it will help with the NO3 (grow tons of it, easy to harvest).

<<<And is there anything I could add to the tank thats hardy like shrooms or polyps?>>>

The less you put in there (including food) the better, for now! Upgrade the lights, keep the water circulating, and wait. Patience is painful but an absolute necessity!

You never know about the test kits. What brand? I use Aq. Pharm's NO3 and have two kits (one was inherited from buddy) both two+ years old but they are giving reliable readings-- they match what the lfs got with a brand new kit, same brand.

<<<< I am spending money had over fist for this tank. >>>>>

Lol, you're in good company. I'm heading out today to blow some Christmas cash. It's a good thing I'm friends with the owners of my local lfs's so I won't mind lining their pockets, lol. I just don't get no discounts