Cycling a 20 gallon tank.

Brd8909 · 03/17/2018, 03:50 PM

Hi everyone I am somewhat new to the hobby but not really. I had a 125 gallon tank up and running about 6 years ago and took it down because I moved. Now I am wanting to get back into things and have started up a 20 gallon. As long as things go well with this tank I’m gonna start up a 180 gallon. Well just kinda wanted to let everyone know where I’m at. Anyways I have had this 20 gallon tank going for 2 weeks and have been adding stability to the tank from day one. I finally got my test kit in a week after I started the tank. I have been testing about every other day. My question is did I miss the ammonia spike. It’s been only showing .25. Nitrites are 0, and nitrates are 5 and 10ppm. When am I got to add a fish to the tank. Thanks

afroshacks · 03/17/2018, 04:03 PM

If you didn't do anything to get the ammonia started, I'd say no.
You can either go out and buy pure ammonia or as a lot of other people do use a raw shrimp in your tank for a few days to get the amonia levels up and kick off that cycle.

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afroshacks · 03/17/2018, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroshacks

If you didn't do anything to get the ammonia started, I'd say no.
You can either go out and buy pure ammonia or as a lot of other people do use a raw shrimp in your tank for a few days to get the amonia levels up and kick off that cycle.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Honestly first question should be what do you have in your tank?
Live rock, dead rock, sand, etc...
It is possible if you started with live rock you could've missed the ammonia spike, even possible to miss the nitrite spike, but in the end you'll see the nitrates as there's no where for them to go after the cycle finishes.
Except of course the diatom bloom...

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Brd8909 · 03/17/2018, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroshacks

Honestly first question should be what do you have in your tank?
Live rock, dead rock, sand, etc...
It is possible if you started with live rock you could've missed the ammonia spike, even possible to miss the nitrite spike, but in the end you'll see the nitrates as there's no where for them to go after the cycle finishes.
Except of course the diatom bloom...

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

I have live sand and dry rock. I have been adding a little bit of fish food every day.

mcgyvr · 03/17/2018, 04:18 PM

Yep...live rock or dry rock?... When dumping in bacterial products its totally possible that the ammonia spike is over and done and that the tank is just finishing its cycle...

Brd8909 · 03/17/2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Yep...live rock or dry rock?... When dumping in bacterial products its totally possible that the ammonia spike is over and done and that the tank is just finishing its cycle...

Yeah that’s what I’m trying to decide if I just missed the cycle. Since there is hardly any ammonia and just showing nitrates.

\Clownfish/ · 03/17/2018, 04:56 PM

I would re spike the ammonia and see what it measures the next day

tmccaffery · 03/17/2018, 05:00 PM

I second that add ammonia and test next day.

Brd8909 · 03/17/2018, 06:44 PM

How do I add ammonia. Put a shrimp in the tank. And what should I look for to know if I’m good.

drillsar · 03/17/2018, 07:11 PM

Yes you can add a uncooked shrimp or pure ammonia. If Ammonia is 0; Nitrites (No2) 0; add slowly maybe some snails; cleanup crew...

Brd8909 · 03/17/2018, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drillsar

Yes you can add a uncooked shrimp or pure ammonia. If Ammonia is 0; Nitrites (No2) 0; add slowly maybe some snails; cleanup crew...

Okay I’ll try and add a little clean up crew

mcgyvr · 03/18/2018, 06:31 AM

I would avoid the dead shrimp...and just start slowly stocking...CuC first

03/17/2018, 03:50 PM	#1
Brd8909 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 8	Cycling a 20 gallon tank. Hi everyone I am somewhat new to the hobby but not really. I had a 125 gallon tank up and running about 6 years ago and took it down because I moved. Now I am wanting to get back into things and have started up a 20 gallon. As long as things go well with this tank I’m gonna start up a 180 gallon. Well just kinda wanted to let everyone know where I’m at. Anyways I have had this 20 gallon tank going for 2 weeks and have been adding stability to the tank from day one. I finally got my test kit in a week after I started the tank. I have been testing about every other day. My question is did I miss the ammonia spike. It’s been only showing .25. Nitrites are 0, and nitrates are 5 and 10ppm. When am I got to add a fish to the tank. Thanks

03/17/2018, 04:03 PM	#2
afroshacks Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 51	If you didn't do anything to get the ammonia started, I'd say no. You can either go out and buy pure ammonia or as a lot of other people do use a raw shrimp in your tank for a few days to get the amonia levels up and kick off that cycle. Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk __________________ Darn Spanking tooting, Im a reefer! Current Tank Info: 46G Bowfront, 10G Fuge, AquaC Remora S HOB Skimmer, 50pnds LR, 1" Sand Bed

03/17/2018, 04:18 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yep...live rock or dry rock?... When dumping in bacterial products its totally possible that the ammonia spike is over and done and that the tank is just finishing its cycle... __________________ Who me?

03/17/2018, 04:56 PM	#7
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	I would re spike the ammonia and see what it measures the next day __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

03/18/2018, 06:31 AM	#12
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I would avoid the dead shrimp...and just start slowly stocking...CuC first __________________ Who me?

03/17/2018, 05:00 PM	#8
tmccaffery Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 170	I second that add ammonia and test next day.

03/17/2018, 06:44 PM	#9
Brd8909 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 8	How do I add ammonia. Put a shrimp in the tank. And what should I look for to know if I’m good.

03/17/2018, 07:11 PM	#10
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Yes you can add a uncooked shrimp or pure ammonia. If Ammonia is 0; Nitrites (No2) 0; add slowly maybe some snails; cleanup crew...