One week into cycle -- chemistry check

[SpongeBob]

The cocktail shrimp have been in the 125 aquarium (155 gallons total in the system) for one week. The only other thing added has been Instant Ocean salt. Here are the current readings:

Temp: 80.1 (Temp is stable at 77.9, rises to 80.1 with the 3 x 250 MHs + 320 Actinics. Is the swing too much?)
SG: 1.022
pH: 8.4
Alk: Normal
NH3/NH4: 2.50
NO2: .20
NO3: 2.5
PO4: .2
Ca: 400

How do things looking so far? I’m concerned about the phosphate given that I am using RO/DI water. Any idea why I would have any reading at all?

Thanks

[SpongeBob]

Anyone? Today,

Ammo: 1.0
NO2: .5
NO3: 5.0

Comments?

Thanks.

[slipknottin]

Your salinity is a little low if you want to keep inverts, it should be ~1.025

Phosphate at this stage is normal, its from the decomposing shrimp.

The temp swing is very small and perfectly fine. The limit usually is about 3 degrees a day.


Was 2.5 the highest ammonia peak youve seen? That isnt really all that high. I usually cycle my tanks to do a 5.0 load.

[SpongeBob]

I've increased the SG since Saturday. Thanks.

Yes, 2.5 was the max. Should I add more shrimp and start over or let it go from here? I didn't add enough shrimp to start with, I'm sure.

[slipknottin]

2.5 is likely fine, as long as you dont overload from the start.

You might notice another spike once you add LR depending on how fresh the rock is.

Just be cautious when stocking your tank, and dont add too many things at once.

[SpongeBob]

Thanks. I'll be adding 60 or 90 pounds of Gulf-View LR in mid February as long as the cycle plays out. Trust me, I will not be doing ANYTHING fast here! I've been planning this since March. If I have one fish in this setup this March, I'll be right on schedule.

[slipknottin]

heh you sound like me. Your tank seems to be cycling pretty quickly, thats a big plus. :)