tank started 12-15-08 what now?

like said born 12-15 and is doing good, nitrites are at .25 the rest are 0 do not have phos,cal or mag tests yet, i have not had the skimmer on yet nor lights, should i stock the fuge with some sort of algae and get lights on there or just let it ride for now,.....i started my cycle with 2 pieces of live rock and 50lbs of base, lots of pods on glass and mini brittle stars everwhere, just got my lights yesterday, i got the nova extream pro 6 bulb setup, i will not light them till week 12, as ive learned on 3reef thanks to you guys and gals, thanks for the info and replys......

 

You could put some cheato in the fuge if you want, but really you need to just be waiting till you see some nitrites register, then go to 0 then some nitrates and then when they go to 0 you're almost there. Make sure everything registers at 0 for at least a week then you're good.

Some people will say that's not long enough, etc. It all depends on what you're planning on putting in it, etc.

 

Get all the testing kits required while you are waiting. Learn to use them while its cycleing.
Some can be a little intimadating at first...but they will be your friends in the long haul.
Sounds like things are move'n along nice for ya.
Good luck.
LG

 

yes i will get the other test kits i need soon, at what point do you think i should start running my skimmer?

 

I would just wait it out without adding or changing anything. Since you are registering 'trites, it sounds like you are well on your way. Cycles are somewhat unpredictable and each aquarium will have it happen somewhat uniquely. When your 'trates spike and then drop off things will have stabilized and you will be able to begin slowly adding livestock--that could be 1-3 weeks from now. Your tank will then go through a mini-cycle each time you add something, which is normal in all tanks.

You could consider adding something small when 'trites drop and 'trates begin to rise but that is a debatable course of action. Some say start with invert cleaners so you don't risk killing a fish or coral, while others say start with a fish because nitrates are alot less toxic to vertebrates. I don't want to start a debate so I will only say that it has been done.

You can try a product I have used in the past called "Start-Up." Supposedly it is bacteria in a vial; similar to "Cycle." I cannot say whether or not it had an effect on my reef-tank when I set it up. I can say that I used it and had no ill effects. However, as long as you seeded the tank with a piece of LR or some live sand there is no need to use any products.

 

Like Nanoreefer - I am not interested in starting a debate either.

I didn't use any additives to start any of my tanks. Just some patience and low level creatures.

I would wait on the cheato. Put it in around the same time you put in your first invert or fish.

If you want to have a little fun while you wait for the cycle - get a couple of live shrimp from the bait shop. They will build a great "beneficial bacteria" supply and they are cool to watch in the meanwhile.

 

I don't think you have to wait for nitrAtes to 0 out. Wait until nitrites 0 out and then wait for nitrates to drop to 20 or lower. At that time is when I would add my clean up crew (snails, crabs, etc) and let them work and start using my lights.

At this point I would start looking for areas in the tank that the CuC can't seem to keep clean. I would take this as an indication that my flow needs to be changed or increased via powerheads (I am partial to Koralia).

Once they've got the tank back to presentable standards (could take a while if you don't interfere (clean yourself), a few weeks) is when I would start stocking fish (one at a time, several weeks between).

In my personal opinion, once you have a couple of fishies is when I would start skimming.

Sometime around this period is when I would expect Nitrates to start dropping. It's also when I would start testing phosphates (if you haven't started already).

I would also start testing my CA, Mg, here in addition to the other tests (Alk, PH). Once I got comfortable keeping these params in proper regions and stable I would then move to:

Then I would start adding corals, if desired. Test for a few weeks between corals to understand the new requirements on your CA, Mg, Alk supplement needs and then once you're comfortable again, get more coral. Repeat.

And don't forget pics at each step. We love them.



This is just the path I took and it is working great for me.

 

thanks so much for the help guys, some one will have to explane in great detail how to post pics as i am new to this..... thanks again everyone......