[Carlagracie]

My bio cube has been running for 1 week and 4 days now. Friday I had a small ammonia spike 0.25ppm. Yesterday (Sunday) I tested it again and my ammonia was back to 0. Nitrate is 0 and Nitrite is 0. I will test again in a few hours but if they still read 0 is it time for my first water change?

 

[bluwc]

Wait until after your cycle. Probably another three weeks. By doing a waterchange now, you are preventing the cycle.

 

[Carlagracie]

Alright I thought once ammonia spiked and went back to 0 that was the cycle? Sorry for the questions im still learning and want to make sure I do it right.

 

[bluwc]

Did you use cured lr? What about sand? What test kits ate you using is at least wait a week with everything at 0 before doing a wc.

 

[Carlagracie]

Yes I have 24 pounds of cured live and 20 pounds of live sand. I am using API saltwater master test kit and the reef master test kit.

 

[mitsu_matt]

If you used live rock and sand it could be done with a mini cycle, but I would not trust those API test kits.

 

[Carlagracie]

If you used live rock and sand it could be done with a mini cycle, but I would not trust those API test kits.

WOW you are the first i have herd saying not to trust API test kits...

 

[bluwc]

API equals junk, don't trust your reading especially for nitrate. It will tell you that you're at 0 or 10 when it's at 70

 

[Carlagracie]

What kits would you suggest?

 

[cpak240]

Most people recommend Salifert test kits, but I think API kits are fine. It's all I've used, and I've never had an issue in close to 10 years of reefing.

 

[Tim!]

What kits would you suggest?

APIs are fine.

Any kit can have a bad run, but honestly, I've used 15 different kits and while Salifert tends to be the best for a few parameters, IMHO, most any of them that are fresh & not outdated work just about the same.

Most LFS will actually test your water for you if you take in a sample - never hurts to get a 2nd opinion (or 3rd) when you are new to the hobby.

Good luck!