Reef Chemistry and Tank Cycling

Scubajoe1 · 01/05/2015, 01:20 PM

Hey guys,
I am currently cycling a 180 gallon reef tank using fishless cycling. I have called many fish stores and online stores and it's like...

. I am an analytical chemist and kinda expect scientific answers from the folks I talk to but that is not happening.

Anyway, I have read that nitrifying bacteria require phosphate. Currently my phosphate reading has been 0.00 ppm for the last week or so. Since I am not getting any from fish food does this mean I should add some phosphoric acid to the tank to introduce phosphates?

Also as I said I have been cycling with Dr. Tims nitrifying bacteria and if I add 2 ppm ammonia my ammonia is about .1 or maybe 0 ppm by the next morning. Nitrites are 0.05 ppm and nitrates are about 0.75 ppm. If I wait 24 hours everything is at 0. Does this mean I am cycled at least enough for a cleaning crew?

Lastly I had a bacterial bloom in the water column. Slowly clearing up but I will be adding a UV sterilizer on Thursday. Is it posible the bacteria in the water column if doing all the work and I don't have the bacteria established on the rocks yet?

Oh yeah I also have been establishing a Biopellet reactor at the same time I am cycling the tank hence the probably ULNS tank.

Those are all the questiosn for now. DISCUSS!!

Thanks

Joe

kurfer · 01/05/2015, 01:33 PM

Take the reactor off, give it time and just wait. Cycling a tank is one of the easiest things to do. Just wait!

I think you're over thinking it.

disc1 · 01/05/2015, 01:41 PM

I wouldn't add any phosphate. Those bacteria can survive at levels you can't detect.

I would give them a little food just to be sure though. I am a big believer in "Ghost Feeding" a new tank.

disc1 · 01/05/2015, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubajoe1

I am an analytical chemist and kinda expect scientific answers from the folks I talk to but that is not happening.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=112

It doesn't get much more scientific. There are some good minds in that forum.

jonwright · 01/05/2015, 02:51 PM

...and don't forget...a new tank will indeed go through a few predictable cycles - cyano, algae, etc. Personally I wouldn't get too caught up in "fixing" stuff that's gonna happen anyway and ease up on "doing stuff."

But, it's your tank.

Since I'm generally prone to be a member of the "do something!" club sometimes I have to pull myself back and just wait and see.

01/05/2015, 01:20 PM	#1
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	Reef Chemistry and Tank Cycling Hey guys, I am currently cycling a 180 gallon reef tank using fishless cycling. I have called many fish stores and online stores and it's like.... I am an analytical chemist and kinda expect scientific answers from the folks I talk to but that is not happening. Anyway, I have read that nitrifying bacteria require phosphate. Currently my phosphate reading has been 0.00 ppm for the last week or so. Since I am not getting any from fish food does this mean I should add some phosphoric acid to the tank to introduce phosphates? Also as I said I have been cycling with Dr. Tims nitrifying bacteria and if I add 2 ppm ammonia my ammonia is about .1 or maybe 0 ppm by the next morning. Nitrites are 0.05 ppm and nitrates are about 0.75 ppm. If I wait 24 hours everything is at 0. Does this mean I am cycled at least enough for a cleaning crew? Lastly I had a bacterial bloom in the water column. Slowly clearing up but I will be adding a UV sterilizer on Thursday. Is it posible the bacteria in the water column if doing all the work and I don't have the bacteria established on the rocks yet? Oh yeah I also have been establishing a Biopellet reactor at the same time I am cycling the tank hence the probably ULNS tank. Those are all the questiosn for now. DISCUSS!! Thanks Joe

01/05/2015, 01:41 PM	#3
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	I wouldn't add any phosphate. Those bacteria can survive at levels you can't detect. I would give them a little food just to be sure though. I am a big believer in "Ghost Feeding" a new tank. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

01/05/2015, 01:33 PM	#2
kurfer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 285	Take the reactor off, give it time and just wait. Cycling a tank is one of the easiest things to do. Just wait! I think you're over thinking it.

01/05/2015, 02:51 PM	#5
jonwright Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 658	...and don't forget...a new tank will indeed go through a few predictable cycles - cyano, algae, etc. Personally I wouldn't get too caught up in "fixing" stuff that's gonna happen anyway and ease up on "doing stuff." But, it's your tank. Since I'm generally prone to be a member of the "do something!" club sometimes I have to pull myself back and just wait and see.