Well here it goes...... started a Red Sea 130D with live rock and live sand and no fish. Lights 1 hour per day and no skimmer. Only filter floss for now.
Week 1- Dosed with Tim's One and Only and added ammonia chloride. Ammonia and Nitrites slightly spiked but were at 0 at end of week 1. Nitrates were at 80ppm.
Week 2- Nitrates are still high at 80ppm at end of week 2. Did a 15% water change but still at 80ppm the next day.
Purchased a Red Sea Pro Nitrate test kit and it reads the same as my API kit. LFS said not to change water and let it sit for another week or 2. Also said the nitrate level may stay high. I am fine with letting it stand until it cycles but am a little confused. My freshwater tank cycled after 4 weeks and the nitrates went very low.
Will the saltwater nitrates eventually lower too?
Should I complete water changes or not? Some articles said it will remove some of the good bacteria.
I found something by Seachem called De Nitrate and read good things. Would this help or just wait a few more weeks. I also read that high nitrate levels will slow the growth of the good bacteria.
I plan on running Chemi Pure Elite and Purigen. Is it wise to start this now or wait until the tank fully cycles?
And to think I had this cycling stuff down too. Many thanks.
Week 1- Dosed with Tim's One and Only and added ammonia chloride. Ammonia and Nitrites slightly spiked but were at 0 at end of week 1. Nitrates were at 80ppm.
Week 2- Nitrates are still high at 80ppm at end of week 2. Did a 15% water change but still at 80ppm the next day.
Purchased a Red Sea Pro Nitrate test kit and it reads the same as my API kit. LFS said not to change water and let it sit for another week or 2. Also said the nitrate level may stay high. I am fine with letting it stand until it cycles but am a little confused. My freshwater tank cycled after 4 weeks and the nitrates went very low.
Will the saltwater nitrates eventually lower too?
Should I complete water changes or not? Some articles said it will remove some of the good bacteria.
I found something by Seachem called De Nitrate and read good things. Would this help or just wait a few more weeks. I also read that high nitrate levels will slow the growth of the good bacteria.
I plan on running Chemi Pure Elite and Purigen. Is it wise to start this now or wait until the tank fully cycles?
And to think I had this cycling stuff down too. Many thanks.