Water test readings

[Butter73]

I just did my first test on the water after it has been cycling since the 21st.
PH 8.0
Ammonia .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
I have some live rock in the tank. Are these results ok? The LFS guy is a moron and told me I didn't need to test a fish only tank so he is being no help at all. I hope I am on the right track.

 

[Sunpoe]

It means your tank needs more time to cycle. Ask your LFS if they will give you some of their Bio media. That would speed up your cycling process. If not add some fish food or ammonia so you can help the cycling along.

 

[Butter73]

What should my readings be. The LFS guy is mad because I didn't buy all my stuff from him and didn't do it his way so he will not help me out.

 

[Sunpoe]

What should my readings be. The LFS guy is mad because I didn't buy all my stuff from him and didn't do it his way so he will not help me out.

He is a jerk, I would not deal with him anymore.



The cycling process begins with an a ammonia spike, then a nitrite spike, then it all converts to nitrate. So, as far as I can see, you are at the beginning of this process. The live rock should add nutrients but you can add ammonia to speed up the process. You need the ammonia and nitrite readings to equal 0 ppm and the nitrates equal some number of ppm. If you are reading ammonia or nitrite the cycling process is not over.