cycle?

sjm1978 · #1 01/01/2008, 04:04 PM

its been 3 days now since i added my sand and LR i didnt test on the day i added the LR Dec 30th since i didnt have my kits yet. i tested on

Dec 31

Ph = 8.2
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 5>
Calcium 430

Jan 1

Ph = 8.2
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 5
Calcium 430

i bought my LR from AZSB 40 pounds of it i got it home and in the tank within 30 minutes. am i gonna see ammonia or nitrite? ill keep testing everyday or so. when i did my 24 AP tank i seen the ammonia and nitrite spikes same with my 5.5g tank but im not seeing it with this tank.

sjm1978 · #2 01/02/2008, 08:45 PM

still no ammonia or nitrite and nitrate dropped to zero is the tank cycled? should i just continue to test?

todays test results

Jan 2

Ph = 8.2
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
Calcium 430

widefx · #3 01/02/2008, 10:56 PM

Did you add a cup of live sand to get it going? If so sounds pretty solid. I would still wait a week or so before adding anything.

sjm1978 · #4 01/02/2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by widefx
Did you add a cup of live sand to get it going? If so sounds pretty solid. I would still wait a week or so before adding anything.

no cup of sand do i need to add some? they told me at AZSB i didnt need a cup from another tank to seed it. since i was just setting up a new tank they said the rock would seed the sand.

30reef · #5 01/03/2008, 12:13 AM

Over at ATR, in the LR room, they have a bin full of the crud that is scooped out of the bottom of the LR containers when they are empty. (AZSB prolly has some too) That would seed your sand bed well.

It would be no big deal to add stuff from others tanks at this point, but after you have it stocked, I would be cautious about adding a scoop of sand and the like to a tank for fear of the possibility of introducing coral harming pathogens. Even Chaeto should be quarantined for a period of time. Hey, they come from somewhere. Just a thought. (Prolly not the right thread for that thought though.)

hermanx7 · #6 01/03/2008, 05:04 PM

I would wait. Have you had any type of algae bloom? If you didnt seed your sand then I would. If you want to make a trip north 44th St and T-bird I will gladly give you some. You should have an ammonia spike. If you dont start adding small amout of food. This will get things going. Good luck. If your feeling froggy add some clean up crew.

sjm1978 · #7 01/03/2008, 08:07 PM

jan 3

Ph = 8.0
on API test kit and 8.0 on RK2 using Pinpoint Ph probe i calibrated it and installed it today. im slowly buffering ph back up with Seachem Reef Buffer.

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
Calcium 430

widefx · #8 01/03/2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm1978
jan 3

Ph = 8.0
on API test kit and 8.0 on RK2 using Pinpoint Ph probe i calibrated it and installed it today. im slowly buffering ph back up with Seachem Reef Buffer.

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
Calcium 430

I think 8 is fine for PH but the most important thing to get use to checking is your alk

stephensturman · #9 01/03/2008, 08:23 PM

no it is not cycled. most of the rock at azsb in not cured because he moves it so fast! just wait and u will see something happen. if u want to jump start your cycle go to pets inc and get bio-spira marine and add that it will help out so much and i do have to swear by it i added my fish in 2 weeks after adding bio-spira. read up on it it is really great stuff!

sjm1978 · #10 01/03/2008, 08:48 PM

i just sent a email to paul he said to get a piece of shrimp from the store cut in 1/2 and add it to my sump or tank. can i just add some fish food? i need to get the cycle going.

Kentanner11 · #11 01/03/2008, 08:58 PM

from what I have read fish food is fine, most/some people either dont like dropping a piece of shrimp in their tank, & to them it is more "natural" to add fish food. All you need is something to decompose and cause ammonia, thus getting the cycle started.

sjm1978 · #12 01/03/2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kentanner11
from what I have read fish food is fine, most/some people either dont like dropping a piece of shrimp in their tank, & to them it is more "natural" to add fish food. All you need is something to decompose and cause ammonia, thus getting the cycle started.

thanks i guess ill go get some fish food and add a little to the tank. do i have to keep adding it or do i just get the ammonia up a bit? the other 2 sw tanks i had the LR started my cycle.

Kentanner11 · #13 01/03/2008, 09:42 PM

I would just put in a little for now and see how it goes for the next few days.

sjm1978 · #14 01/03/2008, 10:32 PM

ok i went to petco and bought some ocean nutrition flake food and put some in.

30reef · #15 01/03/2008, 11:49 PM

Don't you think there is still enough dead and decomposing material on the LR to get it going? Back in the early days when undergravel plates using crushed coral substrate were common, a few hardy fish is all it took. I think LR in itself will do the job. Wait a week or two and add some livestock a little at a time and you'll be fine.