No results on my water testing.

[Ksalsedo]

Ok, my RSM 250 has been up and running for 17 days. I have 3 green Chromis and 8 Snails. I have green algae and I am getting some purplish spots on my live rock. My salinity is 1.025 and everything seems to be looking good. The problem I'm having if any is the store where I bought my RSM 250 did not have any Water Test Kits and I didn't get one with my aquarium. I went to another store and they sold me two test kits; 1 Salifert NH4 Profi Test Ammonia and 1 Salifert NH3 Profi Test Nitrate. I have tested 3 times at 3 days apart and I am not getting ANY reading! Is this normal? Has my tank cycled? Not sure if I need any other test kits or if the ones I have are of good quality. Anyone have any input? I don't have a clue...

 

[Reefmack]

If your rock was fully cured (fully cycled) live rock, it's possible that it has enough of the right bacteria to handle the nitrogen cycle and the final conversion of nitrates to harmless nitrogen gas. I would think that the chromis and any decomposing fish food would otherwise be generating some measurable ammonia, nitrites & nitrates. That's the only explanation that I can think of. Salifert kits are well respected tests.

 

[tnwillia]

+1^, I had no noticable cycle in my tank when I started it up. I'd just go slow for the next couple of months and keep testing.

Here is a good little test kit you can find many places that will get you thru the first several months testing. It also allows you to compare your readings with the other test lits. Good luck!

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Test Kit - Saltwater - Fish - PetSmart

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

+3 ^ either your LR is handling the cycle or your fish are in trouble...

Here some good :read:

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...ners/20945-just-exactly-what-cycled-tank.html

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...something-cycling-breaking-new-reef-tank.html

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/29836-mature-aquarium.html

and one good piece of sw advise when starting out... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...glenns-if-interested-thread-6.html#post913627

 

[Ksalsedo]

Thanks for the input and for the links to the test kit and forums. As usual very helpful. I'll keep going slow topping off the water every other day with RO and water changes of 2.5% every 7 days for a 10% a Month total water change with Natural Seawater.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

You are very welcome !

water changes of 2.5% every 7 days for a 10% a Month total water change

Might check out this link (Poll) http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...w-often-do-you-do-water-changes-your-rsm.html

 

[Bathtub]

As a point - you are starting to feed the livestock only now, so you will only be seeing the full nitrogen cycle over the next few weeks. Keep a good eye on it, if your nitrates start to rise (I would bet they will) increase your water change, iwoukd do slightly more water change than increasing frequency, but that's just me as I find a water change quite a pain (though i do 20% a week soi am on the high side). If you have cured live rock, I would be less sensitive to nitrites, testing once a week, but nitrates maybe 2x a week for the next month or so....

 

[Ksalsedo]

Might check out this link (Poll) http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...w-often-do-you-do-water-changes-your-rsm.html

Wow! I defenatly have a couple of follow up questions to this. I will ask them on the link you posted.

 

[Ksalsedo]

As a point - you are starting to feed the livestock only now,

I have been feeding my livestock for 21 days as of today, 3 Green Cromis a couple of pinches of dry pellets. I'm still keeping an eye on things and remaining patient.