New Cycling tanks question

morphiii · 07/24/2008, 11:38 AM

Do I need to run a protein skimmer when the tank is cycling? It has been cycling little over 2 weeks.

I put some turbo snails into the aquarium and they all died, my ammonia spiked and stayed there for the past few days.

I also have 2 scarlet leg hermit that are doing well in this toxic environment.

I tried using bacteria culture but the ammonia level is still pretty high.

I used stress coat and ammo lock, but have not tested for nitrate.

Do I need a skimmer?

I have a 30 gallon tank with 30 lbs of live rock and some base rock.

kau_cinta_ku · 07/24/2008, 11:53 AM

a skimmer would help.

just leave the tank be for another3-6 weeks till all yor reading get to 0 for 1 week straight, then start adding your clean up crew. do not add anything till the tank has cycled.

To Reef Central

morphiii · 07/25/2008, 07:18 PM

I am getting some whitish bug in my tank.

Looks like underwater termites.

There are a lot of them. About 50 to 60.

Are these copepods or something?

morphiii · 07/25/2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku
a skimmer would help.

just leave the tank be for another3-6 weeks till all yor reading get to 0 for 1 week straight, then start adding your clean up crew. do not add anything till the tank has cycled.

To Reef Central

Thanks for the advice.

I love your handle.

Does that mean you love me?

Are you Malaysian or Indonesian or something?

Just curious.

kau_cinta_ku · 07/25/2008, 08:45 PM

the termite looking things are most likley pods.

as for my handle it is indonesian, that is where my wife is from. although I am just a white guy from the cornfields of iowa

you speak indo or are you from around there?

morphiii · 07/25/2008, 10:51 PM

I am from Malaysia originally, Indonesians and Malaysians are similar languages.

Actually my sister in law is from Indonesia.

How did you ended up marrying someone from so far away?

kau_cinta_ku · 07/25/2008, 11:04 PM

the power of the internet

I actually met her on yahoo chat and when she came over from Indo to visit her sister in Tn. that is when we finally met. been happily married for 5 years now.

morphiii · 07/26/2008, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku
the power of the internet

I actually met her on yahoo chat and when she came over from Indo to visit her sister in Tn. that is when we finally met. been happily married for 5 years now.

That's amazing.

I have another noob question,

How long does the ammonia spike last?

I have some green/yellowish algae growing in the live rock, should I let them grow or turn off the light for a few days?

If I kill off the algae won't that stop the nitrogen cycle?

Confused.

07/24/2008, 11:38 AM	#1
morphiii Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 134	New Cycling tanks question Do I need to run a protein skimmer when the tank is cycling? It has been cycling little over 2 weeks. I put some turbo snails into the aquarium and they all died, my ammonia spiked and stayed there for the past few days. I also have 2 scarlet leg hermit that are doing well in this toxic environment. I tried using bacteria culture but the ammonia level is still pretty high. I used stress coat and ammo lock, but have not tested for nitrate. Do I need a skimmer? I have a 30 gallon tank with 30 lbs of live rock and some base rock.

07/24/2008, 11:53 AM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	a skimmer would help. just leave the tank be for another3-6 weeks till all yor reading get to 0 for 1 week straight, then start adding your clean up crew. do not add anything till the tank has cycled. *To Reef Central*

07/25/2008, 07:18 PM	#3
morphiii Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 134	I am getting some whitish bug in my tank. Looks like underwater termites. There are a lot of them. About 50 to 60. Are these copepods or something?

07/25/2008, 08:45 PM	#5
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	the termite looking things are most likley pods. as for my handle it is indonesian, that is where my wife is from. although I am just a white guy from the cornfields of iowa you speak indo or are you from around there?

07/25/2008, 10:51 PM	#6
morphiii Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 134	I am from Malaysia originally, Indonesians and Malaysians are similar languages. Actually my sister in law is from Indonesia. How did you ended up marrying someone from so far away?

07/25/2008, 11:04 PM	#7
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	the power of the internet I actually met her on yahoo chat and when she came over from Indo to visit her sister in Tn. that is when we finally met. been happily married for 5 years now.