Cycling

[jaylam]

Cool, thanks.

Will do a water change re test for a week and if all is good will get some CUC

 

[seffieuk]

You only need to wait 48 hrs and then retest

Seffie x

 

[jaylam]

You only need to wait 48 hrs and then retest

Seffie x

Even better, its been a bit delayed though, my local shop doesnt have the salt I original used in stock and I want to use the same to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Have ordered some online, 4-5 days wait still it will give the live rock to work a bit more magic

 

[jaylam]

Day 5 -

ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 50-10
Nitrite = 0.1

Am I just being impatient or should something have happened, last 3 days results are he same.

 

[Morri]

There are a lot of things that can affect how long the cycle can take if you are adding more LR you will reset your cycle a good rough guide is about 2 weeks once last LR is added some cycle faster some slower its just a waiting game.

Best thing is just not make any changes whilst it is cycling ensure you have good flow (20x > 30x) Tank volume and you will be set

 

[jaylam]

There are a lot of things that can affect how long the cycle can take if you are adding more LR you will reset your cycle a good rough guide is about 2 weeks once last LR is added some cycle faster some slower its just a waiting game.

Best thing is just not make any changes whilst it is cycling ensure you have good flow (20x > 30x) Tank volume and you will be set

Thanks, is it worth me adding some pure ammonia (I havent as yet)

 

[Morri]

Nope your LR generates enough whilst being transported and if there are critters in the LR you dont want to kill them off as they are generaly good for the tank

 

[jaylam]

Nope your LR generates enough whilst being transported and if there are critters in the LR you dont want to kill them off as they are generaly good for the tank

ok so no adding ammonia and just keep monitoring.

If I do not see ammonia or nitrite spikes and both ammonia and nitrites are zero can I just assume its cycled and go ahead and do a water re test and add fish?

 

[Morri]

Once Nitrite and Ammonia are at zero the first thing generaly to add would be a small CUC a few crabs and snails

After a week of these being in with no loses you can add a couple of fish

Stocking a Marine tank should be slow as the Bacteria needs time to adjust the bioload

 

[jaylam]

Once Nitrite and Ammonia are at zero the first thing generaly to add would be a small CUC a few crabs and snails

After a week of these being in with no loses you can add a couple of fish

Stocking a Marine tank should be slow as the Bacteria needs time to adjust the bioload

ok thanks for the info, well they are both currently at zero but I dont seem to have had any spike in anything.
I will leave it until the weekend do a big water change and if everything is still zero and nitrates are low will get some snails etc.

im just a bit concerned that they are both at zero and dont seem to have had any form of spikes, its like its cycled.

 

[ben1987]

you have had spikes though havent you. ammonia and nitrite havent been zero the whole time.

 

[Morri]

It could have completed cycling

 

[jaylam]

Ok here is what I have done in order which might help you guys explain what happening:

22nd August -
Tank deliverd, setup and water added. Water dechlorinated, sand (not live) added, left over night to circulate.

23rd August -
Salt added and left over night

24th August - Salt level checked, not right so added more and left over night

25th August - Salt level correct, added a.b.a concentrated bacteria (http/www.aquatic-mania.co.uk/marine-aquarium-equipment/marine-treatments/a.b.a-n2-suspended-bacteria-for-marines.html) as per bottles instructions

27th August - Live rock added then I started testing, results below.


28th August - Day 1 of cycle
Ph 8.1
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

29th August - Day 2 of cycle
Ph 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

30th August Day 3 of cycle
Ph 8.4
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

31st August - Day 4 of cycle
Ph 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrate High range 50 low range 10
Nitrite 0.1

1st Sept - Day 5 of cycle
ph = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 50-10
Nitrite = 0.1


HTH shed some light on it, im really confused ha ha

 

[ben1987]

your propper cycle wont have started til all the live rock was in, then it looks fine. this hobby takes time.

get your water tested for a second opinion, do your water change. if ammonia and nitrite are then still zeo after a day or two, add a few snails

 

[jaylam]

your propper cycle wont have started til all the live rock was in, then it looks fine. this hobby takes time.

get your water tested for a second opinion, do your water change. if ammonia and nitrite are then still zeo after a day or two, add a few snails

ok cool thanks, in that case I will leave it and do nothing (apart from daily testing) until the weekend then do a water change at the weekend test again for 3-4 days and if everything remains as it is will take a water sample to LFS if they confirm then will get some snails.

I can only assume that because I added so much live rock and using the live bacteria additive that it maybe just all happened quickly.