Cycled Now What?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by xfactor6, Oct 1, 2008.

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  1. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Ok so it turns out that my red sea piece of you know what:angry: water test kit, was defective. I got another one(diferent brand) and amonia is 0 on it, nitrites are 0, nitrates are around 20 ppm or so. What should i do next? i was told at the LFS that i shouldnt change the water in my tank for a little while longer. should i buy clean up crew to clean the green algea on the sand? pic below, or should i buy another fish. I guess the tank cycled fast because of the cured live rock.



    [​IMG]
     
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  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I would possibly look into a clean-up crew. Get that hair algae under control. Start getting other critical parameters rocking.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2008
  4. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    i would get some crabs.

    a man walks up to a five dollar lady of the night
    they go to a hotel
    he gets crabs
    so the next day he goes up to the lady and says you gave me crabs
    the lady answers it was only five dollars what did you expect lobster.
     
  5. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    By critical parameters you mean calcium? and other trace elements for sustaining coral?
     
  6. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep, are you going fish only?
     
  7. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    I would wait another 2 weeks before getting any fish. The clean up crew is fine but dont go over board. Keep on eye on the No3 and wait to see if it goes down to zero. Luna
     
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  9. techno2

    techno2 Stylophora

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    I had the same thing, when I got 3 mexican turbo snails, it was gone within a week.

    .02
     
  10. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    no, i want reef, not sure what kind of coral but something easy for now
     
  11. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    the nitrate you mean? but i thought that would continue to go up after its cycled? can i add more than one snail or crab at a time or do i have to do one at a time then wait?
     
  12. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Like luna said, wait out a little longer on the fish. See about your nitrates. Also, check phosphates.

    I'd start getting those other parameters in check. Start getting familiar with them and what they do. Here's a good link.
    Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com