10 day cycle :)

i believe my cycle is complete after only 10 days!

i used-
80lbs of live rock
45(ish)lbs of dry rock
added microbacter7 everyday

i've been testing it daily, and keeping the lights off, and no skimmer.

everything has spiked and went down.

Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- almost 0, still showing slight traces(i think) kinda hard to tell, the colors never match up EXACTLY.

i'm gonna monitor it everyday still for another 3-4 days, then if it's still all good, order my CUC.

so realistically, it'll be around a week before anything gets added.

how long should i wait after the CUC is added to add my first fish?

 

man never seen a system cycle that fast.. would wait on the CUC until after you get some fish in there and there is something for the cuc to eat.

 

really? i was told by multiple people, and by youtube vids, that the CUC should be the first thing to go in...

 

I like to have some algae and good amount of fish crap so they have something to feed on.

Like most things in this hobby up for debate but I have always added mine after

 

If you feel your cycle is complete, feel free to add your cuc. Maybe a week or two for fish.

 

Consider testing the aquarium with pure ammonia to be sure.

Calculator

 

ha ha.. why wait on fish if cycled is my question but 10 days is crazy but then again never used that microbacter. CUC can be more sensitive to water conditions than alot of the starter fish(or maybe thats another myth)

 

There are people who add the CUC before fish and people who add them after main thing is to make sure the cycle completed and check then recheck your params.

Nothing says you need to go buy all you CUC maybe just get a few and see how they do. If you want to add your CUC first do it (after all it is your tank)

 

haha.

everything is always up for debate

one of the LFS is like a mile from me, so i think i'll go pick up a yellowtail damsel, and maybe a couple nerite snails n see what happens.

 

I agree with Chris.Why would you add sensitive animals first??If you kept the lights off there is no need for a cuc imo.