Nitrogen Cycle

[polok121]

I have a 20 gallon tank, its about a week old. well i have been checking my Ammonia level, about daily and its been at zero. Today i decided to measure, just for fun the Nitrite level. and that of course was also zero. Nitrate on the other by my surprise was an orangish color the scale says its at roughly 10 mg/l. so I guess my question is did my tank cycle? i still can see any life on my rocks. my salinity is 1.022 my pH is 8.0. Any advice? am i ready to put fish in?

[OneDummHikk]

Your cycle didn't happen that fast and you are nowhere near ready for fish. Have you added a source of ammonia to kick start the cycle? And, welcome to TRT.

[polok121]

I thought it didn't happen, I have about 24lbs of LR and i have not added any source of Ammonia yet, but when i started this tank i bought aragonite "Nature's Ocean" brand. also my pH is 8.0, is that ok? and if not can i use that pH buffer stuff on a Nano?

[polok121]

I guess from all that reading about the cycle, im just curious why all my other tests are at zero but the nitrate level is up. thats not supposed to happen until im at the end of the cycle. so what is going on

[usmc2b2004]

Is your test kit old? If I were you I would still put a source of ammonia I.e Pure un-scented ammonia or A Raw uncooked shrimp, Just because you aren't showing any ammonia does not mean your tank is ready, Try introducing some more ammonia for the next week and check your water everyday with your test kit. Let everything spike and then go away and do it again, Then you should be ready for fish. Oh Yeah WELCOME to TRT.

[OneDummHikk]

Your nitrates reading could be from the sand if it was sold as "Live Sand". Until you introduce a source of ammonia and make sure the tank can process it to nitrates, you aren't ready. And even after it goes to nitrate, the cycle still isn't finished. You will still go through a diatom bloom.

[jenglish]

where are you getting your water? most tap water has some nitrate in it, that could be your source.

[polok121]

thanks for all the feedback, I am using distilled water i bought at the store. And my test kit to my knowledge is new. any advice on the pH and wether its ok to use a buffer in a small tank like a 20 gallon?

Also if i place a cocktail shrimp in my aquarium should i just let it float around or what?

[jenglish]

I just let my sand buffer my tank so IDK about other buffers. Important note, it needs to be a raw shrimp, when I read cocktail I am picturing a cooked shrimp.

[OneDummHikk]

What kind of PH swings are you having? I wouldn't use a pH buffer but rather find out why its swinging and if its out of range. pH swings are normal in the course of the day in a SW tank simply due to the O2/CO2 cycle that goes on.

One cocktail shrimp, let it sit for a day or so, then remove it. That will be enough to start it. A better solution would be to get some clear unscented uncolored ammonia from the grocery store and simply add a table spoon or so. Then, if it needs more, its just a matter of adding it instead of having to deal with cocktail shrimp and removing the bodies from the tank,.

[polok121]

well i have noticed its at 8.0 not really a swing just sitting low.....i guess from what i read that is a little low, right?

[OneDummHikk]

Its a little low but consistent pH is better than fluctuating pH. But, what time of day are you testing the pH? It has a natural swing during the day and where its at during the day tells more than the actual number.

[polok121]

well its not by any windows, its on a counter at the moment. i test the pH around late evening what would cause it to fluctuate?

[OneDummHikk]

Its simply part of the cycle. As the inhabitants respirate, the O2 and CO2 levels go up and down in the tank and that makes the pH swing during the day. Its normal and nothing to worry about unless it gets real crazy.

[polok121]

So today i threw in a cocktail shrimp. I'll have to see if the the ammonia level starts.