Cycling question

Hello All,

I've been reading lost of posts on this forum, and this is my first. This is also my very first saltwater tank ;D. I bought a 90 gallon with built in overflow with sump underneath stand I built. I have about a 5" sand base with 20lbs of it being "live". I also bought 40lbs of base rock and 50lbs of live rock.

I know the cycling process can take months, and I have only been cycling for 12 days . Since this is a new setup, I am curing my "pre-cured" live rock in the tank along with the sand. My ammonia is 0ppm and my nitrite is 2.0ppm. I was planning on adding some raw shrimp, but now that I have started the process, I don't know if would do any good. Suggestions?

I've also read different opinions on water changes and lighting. I am not using any lighting right now, nor have I done any water changes, only added water due to evaporation :-/. I am using a rio2500 and maxi jet 1200 with modification kit for circulation, so approximately (2100gph). If you could share any personal experiences that worked well for you, I would appreciate it, because I've read many things from water changes every other day, to using lower salinity and temp, to keeping tank dark(no lighting).

Lastly, if my ammonia is already at 0ppm, is there a set time for how long it will take for my nitrite level to reach 0ppm, then nitrate? I just want to make sure that down the road if my nitrites are not getting lower, then I know there is a problem. Again, I am new to this all, so all advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

Get yourself one yellow tail damsel (not 2) and let him seed the tank with bacteria. Don't waste your test kits on ammonia, nitrates and such because it is just nature taking it course while you are cycling, just let it run. If you want to test for anything I would be finding out what your Mg, Ca, & ALK is. I let my tank run and cycle for 12 weeks so don't rush things. Everytime I see someone that is testing ammonia and such they are just wanting to add stuff to their tank real quick. Quick will get you into trouble later on.
Go slow and let it grow, this is not a race.
;D

 

So if you are saying to get damsels, then it must be ok to place raw shrimp in the tank, right? I've read about doing the "fishless" cycle because it is more humane and then you are also not stuck with a couple of fish that are very territorial and defensive to other fish later on.

You mention testing for other chemicals, Mg, Ca and ALK. Maybe I haven't read enough yet, but since I am new, I was only going to pretty much use live rock and the life on it plus some fish. Are these levels of chems only important if I plan on having many types of corals and such or should I be measuring them as you say?

Thanks for the reply.

 

That is why you only buy one Yellow Tail not 2. I thought the same thing when I was told this until I done it myself. The little guy hardly ever comes out. I usually only see him when it's feeding time. Now other Damsel can be mean. I know of some people that have used the shrimp and it will work, I am only telling you the way I have done it.
After he is in the tank for about 10 to 12 weeks start adding 1 fish every 2 weeks to allow the bacteria to establish for the load on the tank.
Might sound like a long time to wait and others will tell you about some snake oil you can add to speed up the cycle so you can add fish. It's your tank and your call on how you want to do this. I went slow because I want to have this tank for a while and not rush into problem and then sell everything I have because I'm tired of dealing with issues.
Hope the best for ya'll!

 

If you want your PH to remain stable, and if you want coralline algae to grow, you will have to monitor your Mg, Ca and Alk and supplement as needed.

 

Cheer up - Cycling should take 3/4 weeks at most - not "months" --- It can also go much faster depending on quality of LR.

Just keep a close eye on those water parameters...they will let you know when done. ;D

Just don't rush it.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure how to quote what others said on this forum, but my pH has been stable at 8.2 I have only measured using a pH test kit. Is it more important to measure each chemical Mg, Ca, and ALK separately? And, if I am not getting a good reading, can anyone suggest which supplements to use.

As to watching my water parameters closely, I read that it is a waste to test every week. How often do you recommend testing and for which parameters? Also, any suggestions on partial water changes and frequency when cycling? So far nobody has responded to this concern of mine.

Lastly, since my LR was "pre-cured" I am assuming there is some curing of my LR going on during this cycling period. I read an article on here about adding Spectra Vital to the tank and running Actinic lights 24/7 to decrease die off. Should I perform either of these to my tank.

 

Heya goody! Welcome to 3reef.

To quote other users, all you have to do is hit the "Quote" button on the bottom left side of their response.

Wait until you have been cycling for about 30 days and then do your tests (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate). That will give you a pretty good idea on how things are moving along. After that, about once a week should be good. When everything checks out, one fish per week will suffice.

Personally I wouldn't do any water changes until around that time, as well. But that's just me. Once you are done cycling and have the ball rolling, it's generally recommended that a 20% change is done every month.

As far as lights go, I've never heard about running a "dark" cycle, and would say that cycling with the lights on could only be beneficial. It will help your corraline algae start to grow and stuff like that. I've never heard of "Spectra Vital," either.

 

this isnt really a reply but i wouldnt let me post a new thread for some reason so im sorry for asking my question on your thread please forgive me. just a quick one im cycling too, 3 weeks in, today i noticed theses little brown spots forming on the sand , look at the pic, anyone know what it is, is this good,bad, is it a sign of lack of water flow. should i vac it up.

 

Don't worry about the brown spots (diatom algae) they will go away. Nomally part of the cycling process. Usually caused because you didn't use good RO water. It may even get quite bad but trust me it will go away as your tank gets more green algae. And then if all works out OK you will have a balanced tank and just a little algae.