[jsgates]

Ok, I've had my tank set up for a few weeks now. After I filled the tank with salt water and let it run for about a week, I took the following readings using my Seachem Basic Multi-Test kit:


Specific Gravity: 1.023 (taken using a Deep Six Hydrometer)
PH: 8.2
ALK: 2.5 meq/L


My live rock came in and I place it in the tank and turned on my skimmer to start the cylce. Live rock has been in the tank for about 5 days now (added LR last Wed Night). I took the following readings last night after topping off the tank:

Specific Gravity: 1.018 (taken using Deep Six Hydrometer)
PH: 8.1
ALK: 4 meq/L
Nitrite: 25
Nitrate: 50
Free Ammonia: 0.02
Total Ammonia: 0.02

I'm pretty sure I performed the Ammonia tests correct as I read the directions and followed all instructions. How are my parameter looking? How often should I perform these tests until cycling ends? Weekly? Also, I think my Specific gravity decreased a bit due to me adding to much top-off water. My plan is to just let the the water evaporate until the SG has risen back up to around 1.022 (since water evaporates but salt doesn't). Then I plan to add my sand. Once the SG is back in range and sand is in, I will check SG until it is good, and then top off the tank with salt water mixed properly. Any suggestions, tips, or advice is extremely appreciated. I am not trying to be impatient, just trying to make sure I am getting some good intial readings. Thanks for any help.

[jsgates]

Anbody? Need some suggestions.

[pogodzib]

Testing your water parameters during the cycle process will give you a better indication as to what step your tank is in the cycle, but it won't do anything for speeding up the cycle or slowing it down. The amount you test for ammonia and nitrite is all up to you. It looks to me like the ammonia stage is just finishing up, the nitrites are probably just starting to come back down, which is why your nitrate is high. The LR may be causing a second, smaller cycle to occur.

Regarding your tank parameters, your SG should be at 1.025 is you plan on keeping corals. It can stay a little lower if you only want a FOWLR tank. Before adding fish or corals, you want to make sure that your ammonia and nitrites read zero, and your nitrate readings are under 20ppm, preferably undetectable.

[dhboyd1]

If you have an lfs that can do a full battery of test for you and they are a reputable store compare your readings with theirs. Your SG is way low for a reef so get it up as soon as possible. Your live rock probably has critters in it that need the higher SG so don't wait to adjust the SG. Once you feel comfortable with your readings and the cycle is near completion either put a dead shrimp or a chromis into the tank. This will actually start the cycle again but should be short lived if your bacteria is good.