LovingIT

There is so many articles posted regarding this issue(Cycling /RO use). Is using seachem prime fine WITHOUT using RO water As you can tell I am new at this , bought a Tom product rapids pro PS4 filter. The automatic feed for make-up water I believe is about 4 gallons. I am using prime for this make-up water and everything seems to be fine. Unfortunetly everytime I visit a store someone tries to sell me something I have to do research on and most of the time I dont need it and "there" way is the best. I have to be about 3 weeks or so give or take a few days in the cycle on a 55 gallon pH 8.2 ammonia 0 nitrite 1.0 nitrate 10 .
Along with having some red (diatoms I was told they would go away with a slight stir ) on my 3.5 inch live sand bed. Protein skimmer is built into my filter which I am cleaning and seems to be working fine despite some reviews. Using 2 hydor 2 powerheads and my tank is turning over about 55 times an hour with a temp of 78F and T5 lighting full spec and blue atinic. All my electric is off the floor and secured to the cabinet underneath with timer for my lights. Only four fish two blue green damsels one yellowtail and one domino damsel. Ok what do you think of that ,lay it on me. What should I do what haven't I done what did I do wrong

marlow1008

I went with the RO when I set up my tank. This not being the cheapest of hobbies, I figured what's another $100 of insurance. You can get them off ebay **** near ready to go. It was a small price to pay for peace of mind for me.

susitna-flower

Welcome to Fishlore, someone from the saltwater side should be along pdq to comment.

It sure sounds like you are doing a great job, the best part is that you are willing to do research...keep it up and sounds like your cycle, though not finished is on the way...you ARE using prime? Those nitrites would be a problem otherwise...Good Luck & see ya around the forum.

LovingIT

Well thank you very much susitna-flower, I am trying. I AM using prime ,but CAN prime take the place of using RO water ?

susitna-flower

Prime protects your fish as the tank is cycling from the effects of toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite.

I know some folks in saltwater use RO, but it is for different reasons, not related to the cycle process, and I will leave that to them to explain.

HOWEVER it sounds like your nitrite level is getting the best of your fish, and it sounds like you need to do two things.
#1 about a 50% water change.
#2 use Bio-Spira for saltwater to get the bacteria jump started so you get through your cycle without any more fish problems.

You should NEVER add fish before the cycle is complete. People do this all the time, and it is hard enough in freshwater, but saltwater fish are so expensive and even more sensitive....

The Prime should have helped, but not knowing how much you were using etc, I just can't say what went wrong. Good Luck

LovingIT

After doing many hours of reading , decided to do thing a little different. I did a 25% water change (bought a python syphon) salted and primed my make-up water along with adding some stabilizer and some nassarius snails to the tank . Can you say the word PERFECT. I was very proud of myself ,everything is down to 0 . PH is 8.2 right were I would like it. Now just going to follow this for a week or two then start shopping for some live rock, a little OCD'ish about the aqua-scape. That's my next project designing the perfect sections of rock (a place for everyone, fish,shrimp etc....) along with buying my cleaning crew. Thank you all for your advice I do appreciate ,and hoping one day I will be posting answer instead of a question.