Cycling my 12G

[cburns32]

Day 8 Test Results

pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 3.0 ppm
Nitrite - +5.0 ppm
Nitrate - +160 ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.032
Salinity - 42
Temperature - 80.2 degrees F

The reason the specific gravity is so high as well as the salinity, is because I haven't done a freshwater top-off yet, that'll bring it down, I lost about 1 1/2 cm, since it has been up so I'll replace that today, and test the SG and S again. Ammonia has been around 3.0 ppm for a few days, hope it goes down sometime soon. The temperature reaches 80.9-81 at some points and in the night goes down to about 80 is that OK?

[gwen_o_lyn]

Looks good so far.
Water changes aren't necessary at this point.
Just make sure you hold that salinity stable when you have critters in there- going from 1.032 to 1.025 isn't gonna be purty. 1/2 a cm isn't gonna bring it down that much anyway.
Your temp swings are fine- mine is crazy at the moment- and by crazy I mean about 5* temp change each day. Just stay in the 76-84 range. I prefer 80-82, but hard with mh on a nano.

[Petunia]

I love that tank!! Great rock formation!
What kind of tank is it? I just seen one with the compartments like that and I really really liked it. It also had the moonlight built in. The wattage of the bulbs were at a good level too - for corals, etc. Can I ask... do you order online? I seen one at a lfs and it was about $180ish (if I can remember right). I may have to get another tank... giggle

[cburns32]

It's a Nano Cube 12 Gallon Deluxe, and yes I got it online, it was on sale for $169.99, with a surface skimmer, and a mag-float, I upgraded the surface skimmer though to an adjustable one.

[superjohnny]

Originally Posted by cburns32

It's a Nano Cube 12 Gallon Deluxe, and yes I got it online, it was on sale for $169.99, with a surface skimmer, and a mag-float, I upgraded the surface skimmer though to an adjustable one.

Where did you get it online?

[combiemaster]

the adjustable on is here on this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[cburns32]

Day 20 Test Results

pH - 8.2-8.3ish
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 5.0+ ppm
Nitrate - 160+ ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.024-1.025ish
Salinity - 34-35ish
Temperature - 81 F

Is this normal for the nitrites and nitrates to be this high at this stage in the cycle?

[Chris86]

Cool looking tank

[cburns32]

Day 26 results:

pH - 8.2-8.3ish
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate -15 ppm
S.G. - 1.025
Salinity - 40
Temperature - 81 degrees F

I think I'm going to go buy some cleaners tonight, maybe just a few snails, a shrimp, and a few crabs, but what do you all think?

[dobejazz]

if it were me I'd probably let the trates come down a little more but I don't think they would hurt if you added anything not 100% on that though

[cwby416]

If the algae is bugging you that bad, some snails and crabs probably wont hurt, but I would hold off on the shrimp untill the nitrates level out... Remimber slow and steady is the key...

~Randy~

[cburns32]

Well I currently have in the tank 9 Cerith snails, 4 Margarita snails, a peppermint shrimp, and a cleaner shrimp...They all seem to be doing fine after 5 days in the tank...I'll test the water today, and do a 25-30% water change...and post the results asap