Done Cycle?

rockethippo

rockethippo

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Feb 28, 2007
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Yukon Territory, Canada
Am I done my cycle? ammonia is at 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 0-10 (very hard to tell, the water didn't change). I've had my ammonia go up to .3ish and nitrites to about .3ish I think. When I do my 50% waterchange will it change the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates? In a good way? Then wait a couple days to let the water cycle before getting fish?
 
Sorry!! Also since for quite a while its going to be fish and inverts is it okay that my lighting is messed up? It has two 24 inch 18 watts natural daylight. The front socket thing works, but the back one doesnt.
 
You only need to do small water changes on marine aquariums, a 50% water change would inevitably cause a significant change in the water chemistry and marine animals don't cope well with changes. If the water quality is good a 10% to 15% water change every week (when the cycle has finished) is fine, if you have a skimmer you can do less.

If you don't have any corals in the tank lighting is not a big issue, although stronger lighting is better because it will increase the growth on the Live Rock.

How long has your tank been cycling?
What are your other water params?
 
It's been cycle for about... I'd say 3 days. Ammonia-0 Nitrites-0 Nitrates- 0-10 ( very hard to read)PH about 8.2 maybe 8.3. So when I do my 50% water change will it have negative effects?
 
Just my opinion.

I would let the tank run for at least 4 weeks, with Live Rock, before adding any livestock. This allows for enough time to monitor the tank to make sure its cycled properly (after 3 days the tank may not have even begun to cycle) and all params are remaining stable.

There's no need to do such a large water change unless the water params take a dive. When my tank finished cycling (after 3 weeks) I did a 10% water change and I now do a 10% water change every week. That's all thats needed.

The key with marine aquariums is to go slowly and everything will probably work out. Try to rush it and it may backfire.
 
Ehh sorry I meant it has been 3 days after it cycled. It is been... almost 4 weeks since I got the tank.
 
Okay, good :).
I would do a small water change, spend some time researching the fish you want, then I think it would be fine to add a fish. Good luck :).
 
Small as in something like ( my tank is 29 gallons) 5-10 gallons?
Thanks BTW your a big help :) Also reef crystals or salt?
 
A 5g change sounds good to me. Try to get the new water and the tank water params as close as possible and add the new water slowly.

I've only ever heard good things about Reef Crystals, but most well known synthetic salts are good. I use Red Sea Salt and its worked well for me.
 
personally, i would be doing a large water change as you want to be getting all the bad out of the water column. This does need removing from the system which is why its best to get a good volume of clean and fresh saltwater back into the system. It will need a good replenishment of trace elements after the completed cycle.

Niko
 
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