Question with new tank water chemistry

vlapinta · 04/25/2014, 03:17 PM

I am upgrading from my 12 gallon cube to a 40 gallon cube. I haven't set up a new tank in a while (8years) I put live sand and live rock from my lfs and salt water and starting running the pump 2 weeks ago. I tested Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates and all were at 0 after the first week. I just tested again at two weeks and everything is still at 0. LFS said tank shouldn't have a big cycle because everything was live, but I wasn't sure and was still watching before switching my 2 clowns and my corals (softies) over to the new tank. I also put a cup of my sand (from the old tank) in the new tank along with some fish food a few days ago.
Do you think it's safe to switch everything over like the LFS is telling me or is it too early and my tank hasn't cycled and I should wait? I can put some snails in from my old tank into the new one first.

Sk8r · 04/25/2014, 03:21 PM

I'd get some snails and hermits over there first. If you got no ammonia after the fish food it's either way UNcycled, or cycled and handling it. Best be sure. Keep the qt ready for them in case you're wrong---and test daily, at least.

vlapinta · 04/25/2014, 03:26 PM

That's what I was thinking... try the snails first. My gut is telling me its not cycled, but getting mixed messages from LFS so just wanted to get some opinions here.

04/25/2014, 03:17 PM	#1
vlapinta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 219	Question with new tank water chemistry I am upgrading from my 12 gallon cube to a 40 gallon cube. I haven't set up a new tank in a while (8years) I put live sand and live rock from my lfs and salt water and starting running the pump 2 weeks ago. I tested Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates and all were at 0 after the first week. I just tested again at two weeks and everything is still at 0. LFS said tank shouldn't have a big cycle because everything was live, but I wasn't sure and was still watching before switching my 2 clowns and my corals (softies) over to the new tank. I also put a cup of my sand (from the old tank) in the new tank along with some fish food a few days ago. Do you think it's safe to switch everything over like the LFS is telling me or is it too early and my tank hasn't cycled and I should wait? I can put some snails in from my old tank into the new one first.

04/25/2014, 03:21 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd get some snails and hermits over there first. If you got no ammonia after the fish food it's either way UNcycled, or cycled and handling it. Best be sure. Keep the qt ready for them in case you're wrong---and test daily, at least. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/25/2014, 03:26 PM	#3
vlapinta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 219	That's what I was thinking... try the snails first. My gut is telling me its not cycled, but getting mixed messages from LFS so just wanted to get some opinions here.