Is my tank cycled?

[Kgramma]

I started my 32 gallon saltwater aquarium 3 weeks ago. I added in Dr Tim’s, dosed with ammonia and have seen spikes in both ammonia and nitrites. Yesterday ammonia and nitrites were zero and I had low nitrates. So I decided to dose up to 2ppm ammonia to see what happens at the 24 hour mark. At 24 hours it still shows ammonia and nitrite. Does that mean I’m not ready to add fish yet?

 

[fishywishy]

You’re cycled, once your ammonia goes down to zero again you can add fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I started my 32 gallon saltwater aquarium 3 weeks ago. I added in Dr Tim’s, dosed with ammonia and have seen spikes in both ammonia and nitrites. Yesterday ammonia and nitrites were zero and I had low nitrates. So I decided to dose up to 2ppm ammonia to see what happens at the 24 hour mark. At 24 hours it still shows ammonia and nitrite. Does that mean I’m not ready to add fish yet?

This is a kit that can be tricky often producing false results. I would not proceed until you have confirmed readings. When ammonia rises then falls and holds a steady reading of Zero for at least 5 days and also nitrate rises and falls and holds at 20 or below- you are cycled.
Did you add ammonia chloride or something to increase ammonia initially ?
Being that you are using API kits , I would suggest taking a water sample to a trusted LFS and see what numbers they come up with and to compare with yours then you will know where your readings are at.
A typical cycle period is 14-21 days and you want to stock very slowly to allow denitrifying bacteria to keep up with new bioload as tank matures

 

[Kgramma]

We did see a prolonged absence in ammonia, then a steady high value of nitrite >5ppm and it wasn’t dropping so we did a 30% water change which helped. I posted a quick chart I drew up of the numbers. Did confirm with a LFS already and values were the same. We plan on just getting a pair of clownfish for the next month or so. Just wanna make sure we won’t hurt the fish by putting them in.

 

[Kgramma]

We did see a prolonged absence in ammonia, then a steady high value of nitrite >5ppm and it wasn’t dropping so we did a 30% water change which helped. I posted a quick chart I drew up of the numbers. Did confirm with a LFS already and values were the same. We plan on just getting a pair of clownfish for the next month or so. Just wanna make sure we won’t hurt the fish by putting them in.

We did use Dr Tim’s ammonia chloride to dose initially

 

[PharmrJohn]

When you're cycled, I'd consider leaving lights off for a couple of months. The ugly stage is largely mediated by photosynthesis. If you leave your lights off fir a time, it give your nitrifying bacteria opportunity to properly colonize as your bioload increases. Then, when lights go on, you'll have a situation where said Colonization can crowd out algae, diatoms, dinos et. al. for much sought after space.

 

[Uncle99]

I started my 32 gallon saltwater aquarium 3 weeks ago. I added in Dr Tim’s, dosed with ammonia and have seen spikes in both ammonia and nitrites. Yesterday ammonia and nitrites were zero and I had low nitrates. So I decided to dose up to 2ppm ammonia to see what happens at the 24 hour mark. At 24 hours it still shows ammonia and nitrite. Does that mean I’m not ready to add fish yet?

You have rock,sand,heat, and flow?
That plus the Dr. Tims should have easily cycled you in 21 days.
That test kit is notoriously inaccurate.

Time for fish. As a safety, 10 gallons of saltwater on hand will make you rest easy, have fun.

 

[Kgramma]

You have rock,sand,heat, and flow?
That plus the Dr. Tims should have easily cycled you in 21 days.
That test kit is notoriously inaccurate.

Time for fish. As a safety, 10 gallons of saltwater on hand will make you rest easy, have fun.

Yes I have live sand, dry rock (Caribsea), two wave makers, and my temp was 82 during the cycle. Salinity is 1.025. Is the extra saltwater in case of high ammonia so I can do a quick water change? Also do you think I should probably do a water change now to reduce nitrates before adding the fish?

 

[Merge_595]

I started my 32 gallon saltwater aquarium 3 weeks ago. I added in Dr Tim’s, dosed with ammonia and have seen spikes in both ammonia and nitrites. Yesterday ammonia and nitrites were zero and I had low nitrates. So I decided to dose up to 2ppm ammonia to see what happens at the 24 hour mark. At 24 hours it still shows ammonia and nitrite. Does that mean I’m not ready to add fish yet?

I've cycled all but 1 of my tanks over the last 10 years with Tim's. Always took minimum 3 weeks jus to have 0 Ammonia. 5-6 weeks for the complete cycle leaving 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 20 ish Nitrate. I would give it a couple more weeks.

 

[Uncle99]

Yes I have live sand, dry rock (Caribsea), two wave makers, and my temp was 82 during the cycle. Salinity is 1.025. Is the extra saltwater in case of high ammonia so I can do a quick water change? Also do you think I should probably do a water change now to reduce nitrates before adding the fish?

Yes, backup water, always just in case, just the first fish. You’ll need it anyways quickly.

Your nitrate shows 20ppm, I might do a 50% to drop that to 10pm, then, you need to keep that level tight, no rise no fall, week over week.

Your cycling as you have nitrates.

Same with the other major players. Steady them.

Enjoy.

 

[Fish Fan]

When you're cycled, I'd consider leaving lights off for a couple of months. The ugly stage is largely mediated by photosynthesis. If you leave your lights off fir a time, it give your nitrifying bacteria opportunity to properly colonize as your bioload increases. Then, when lights go on, you'll have a situation where said Colonization can crowd out algae, diatoms, dinos et. al. for much sought after space.

This I believe is sound advice, and just to add on; feel free to turn your lights on when you want to observe your tank (for like 10-15 minutes), just don't leave them on all day when you're away from your tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

We did see a prolonged absence in ammonia, then a steady high value of nitrite >5ppm and it wasn’t dropping so we did a 30% water change which helped. I posted a quick chart I drew up of the numbers. Did confirm with a LFS already and values were the same. We plan on just getting a pair of clownfish for the next month or so. Just wanna make sure we won’t hurt the fish by putting them in.

What tests did the LFS use?

 

[Fish Fan]

You're not going to hurt Clownfish, they were the original "fish in" cycle fish years ago, though most advise not to do that anymore. But Clownfish should be fine at this point, just go slowly, have that extra water handy.

 

[PharmrJohn]

This I believe is sound advice, and just to add on; feel free to turn your lights on when you want to observe your tank (for like 10-15 minutes), just don't leave them on all day when you're away from your tank.

Oh yeah. I agree. Nothing wrong with that whatsoever.

 

[Kgramma]

I’m thinking I’m not quite ready as I converted the ammonia to zero in around 2 days and the nitrite still hasn’t gone down. I plan to do a 50% water change once that nitrite drops as suggested. I think I’m going to bring my water to work and see what grows in aerobic and anaerobic conditions for fun. I’ll post pics if anything cool grows!

 

[Kgramma]

3 days after adding the ammonia to 2ppm. Still have nitrite and nitrates. Once the bacteria get established the nitrites should also be dropping to 0 in 24 hours too right? And the nitrates get removed with water changes?

 

[exnisstech]

I do not own an ammonia or nitrite test kit. When I see nitrates I begin slowly adding live stock. I've been doing it that way for about 7 years. This tank was started last march using that mentality.

This one the same but Feb 2023

 

[ScottJ]

3 days after adding the ammonia to 2ppm. Still have nitrite and nitrates. Once the bacteria get established the nitrites should also be dropping to 0 in 24 hours too right? And the nitrates get removed with water changes?

As far as I know, nitrites are not tested for in salt water.To be honest, I've never tested for ammonia or nitrites. But I've started my 3 tanks with some already cycled rock. After a couple weeks with bottled bac, you are good to go slow.