cycle done?

swflfisher · 12/27/2011, 03:39 PM

Well its only been 2.5 weeks but the ammonia went up to 4ppm then zero,nitrites went up then down to zero.

also I have no algae at all is the concerning?

So what would you do next?

get skimmer running?

should I start running carbon,or anything else now or wait until a problem comes up?

anderson0196 · 12/27/2011, 03:44 PM

4ppm ammo is a big spike...

What method did you use to start your cycle? What type of rock did you use?

SushiGirl · 12/27/2011, 03:51 PM

Technically, the cycle is never done, it's continuous (hence "cycle"), however it sounds like you're about ready to add stuff. What are your nitrates? That would determine your next course of action.

swflfisher · 12/27/2011, 04:16 PM

I used all dry aragonite sand, dry cleaned rock mix of marco rocks and rocks I got with aquarium from haiti?? I pressure washed and left in sun for a week or so. Then I added a couple piecees(10lbs) of cured live rock and put a little fish food in every couple days.

I'll test water again in about an hour when I get home to give nitrate level

racedout · 12/27/2011, 04:36 PM

Sounds like you did it correctly by adding the cured live rock and the fish food. Could be cycled already!

anderson0196 · 12/27/2011, 04:54 PM

My cycle was similar with a similar setup....my ammo only got up to .75ppm and I never detected nitrites.

Have you continued ghost feeding a small amount daily?

swflfisher · 12/27/2011, 05:01 PM

yes I have fed it every other day. I actually fed a decent amount, I didnt know if I should ghost feed acording to size so I fed extra just in case!

looks like my nitrates are about 5ppm.

what next

Mzulu · 12/27/2011, 05:02 PM

I'm a step ahead of you in the algae stage. All tanks that I have set up have gone through the initial cycle then have gotten algae so I would say get ready for it. Sometimes the tank would get green hair algae, other times it would get brown diatoms. The algae should go away on its own, but having a good CUC speeds up the process. If you are still worried about the algae, you can reduce lighting. After the algae dies down is when I stocked my tanks.
Can't help with the skimmer or carbon. If it was me, I would start the skimmer now and carbon when you start putting fish or corals.

swflfisher · 12/27/2011, 06:09 PM

so how big of a cuc do I need for a 375? start little then add to it as tank chabges? or what

SushiGirl · 12/27/2011, 06:14 PM

With nitrates that low, you could probably start adding stuff. I always wait 3 months, from the start of the cycle, but I'm weird like that. Certainly has worked for me over the years, though. If there's nothing for the clean up crew to clean up, though, you'd have to feed them to keep them alive. And yes, just add more as needed rather than starting out with a bunch just to have them die.

12/27/2011, 03:39 PM	#1
swflfisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 70	cycle done? Well its only been 2.5 weeks but the ammonia went up to 4ppm then zero,nitrites went up then down to zero. also I have no algae at all is the concerning? So what would you do next? get skimmer running? should I start running carbon,or anything else now or wait until a problem comes up?

12/27/2011, 03:44 PM	#2
anderson0196 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 318	4ppm ammo is a big spike... What method did you use to start your cycle? What type of rock did you use? __________________ Jim 45G Custom Cube ~ BM NAC6 ~ 2x Tunze 6025 ~ Eheim 1250 return ~ EShopps 10G sump ~ Neptune Apex ~ BRS Reactor ~ Reef Fanatic ATO

12/27/2011, 03:51 PM	#3
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Technically, the cycle is never done, it's continuous (hence "cycle"), however it sounds like you're about ready to add stuff. What are your nitrates? That would determine your next course of action. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

12/27/2011, 04:54 PM	#6
anderson0196 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 318	My cycle was similar with a similar setup....my ammo only got up to .75ppm and I never detected nitrites. Have you continued ghost feeding a small amount daily? __________________ Jim 45G Custom Cube ~ BM NAC6 ~ 2x Tunze 6025 ~ Eheim 1250 return ~ EShopps 10G sump ~ Neptune Apex ~ BRS Reactor ~ Reef Fanatic ATO

12/27/2011, 05:01 PM	#7
swflfisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 70	yes I have fed it every other day. I actually fed a decent amount, I didnt know if I should ghost feed acording to size so I fed extra just in case! looks like my nitrates are about 5ppm. what next __________________ A 375 gallon learning experience!! Current Tank Info: 375 gallon

12/27/2011, 04:16 PM	#4
swflfisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 70	I used all dry aragonite sand, dry cleaned rock mix of marco rocks and rocks I got with aquarium from haiti?? I pressure washed and left in sun for a week or so. Then I added a couple piecees(10lbs) of cured live rock and put a little fish food in every couple days. I'll test water again in about an hour when I get home to give nitrate level

12/27/2011, 04:36 PM	#5
racedout Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 67	Sounds like you did it correctly by adding the cured live rock and the fish food. Could be cycled already!

12/27/2011, 05:02 PM	#8
Mzulu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 44	I'm a step ahead of you in the algae stage. All tanks that I have set up have gone through the initial cycle then have gotten algae so I would say get ready for it. Sometimes the tank would get green hair algae, other times it would get brown diatoms. The algae should go away on its own, but having a good CUC speeds up the process. If you are still worried about the algae, you can reduce lighting. After the algae dies down is when I stocked my tanks. Can't help with the skimmer or carbon. If it was me, I would start the skimmer now and carbon when you start putting fish or corals.

12/27/2011, 06:09 PM	#9
swflfisher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 70	so how big of a cuc do I need for a 375? start little then add to it as tank chabges? or what __________________ A 375 gallon learning experience!! Current Tank Info: 375 gallon

12/27/2011, 06:14 PM	#10
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	With nitrates that low, you could probably start adding stuff. I always wait 3 months, from the start of the cycle, but I'm weird like that. Certainly has worked for me over the years, though. If there's nothing for the clean up crew to clean up, though, you'd have to feed them to keep them alive. And yes, just add more as needed rather than starting out with a bunch just to have them die. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

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