Newbie: Cycle Question

RevChrissy · 03/08/2006, 11:05 PM

I'm new to SW and I have some questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with! I'm about 2 weeks into my cycle.

My setup:

29g
Remora Skimmer MJ1200
AC300
40 lbs LR
Coral Sand
Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Linear Strip PCF (2x65W)

Question 1: Do I keep the lights on during my cycle? My LFS said no.
Question 2: I read in the skimmer instructions that there is a break in period of 2 weeks or so. Right now, there are barely any foam but mostly brown water in the collection cup, is this normal?
Question 3: The water is kind of greenish brown. Is this normal from the cycle and live rock die off?

fareforce · 03/08/2006, 11:10 PM

#1 Run your lights as you will normally run them. During a cycle is a good time to perfect the adjustments for your timer.

#2 yes. that is the normal break in. The lack of brown stuff is due to a very low bio-load.

#3 Someone else will have to help there.. My water never did that. What are your water parameters?

mattvisocky2003 · 03/08/2006, 11:11 PM

Well, I have a few questions. Are you also curing the LR? Also, do you have any test kits and access to RO/DI water? Your cycle will vary from tank to tank. I would keep the lights off mainly because you don't need them on and you will get a mass of algae with them on right now. If you are also curing the rock your water will be brown and your skimmer will pull out a lot of gunk. If you are not curing then it may be an algae bloom or bacterial bloom if it is cloudy. All skimmers have a "break-in" period, but they all vary on time frame. Make sure you get test kits and take it slow.

RevChrissy · 03/08/2006, 11:18 PM

The LR is being cured. My test kits show that Ammonia is nearly 0, and Nitrite is above 5.0ppm (off my chart) and PH is 8.2 grav is 1.024

bertoni · 03/08/2006, 11:43 PM

Greenish brown skimmate sounds reasonable to me. The SG is a little low, IMO. I target about 1.026. Some water changes might help, if you have the energy.

RevChrissy · 03/08/2006, 11:46 PM

It's okay to do water changes during the cycle?

bertoni · 03/08/2006, 11:49 PM

Sure. The changes should help reduce animal losses, but they do take time and cost money. I wouldn't drive myself crazy doing them.

03/08/2006, 11:43 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Greenish brown skimmate sounds reasonable to me. The SG is a little low, IMO. I target about 1.026. Some water changes might help, if you have the energy. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/08/2006, 11:49 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Sure. The changes should help reduce animal losses, but they do take time and cost money. I wouldn't drive myself crazy doing them. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/08/2006, 11:05 PM	#1
RevChrissy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 8	Newbie: Cycle Question I'm new to SW and I have some questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with! I'm about 2 weeks into my cycle. My setup: 29g Remora Skimmer MJ1200 AC300 40 lbs LR Coral Sand Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Linear Strip PCF (2x65W) Question 1: Do I keep the lights on during my cycle? My LFS said no. Question 2: I read in the skimmer instructions that there is a break in period of 2 weeks or so. Right now, there are barely any foam but mostly brown water in the collection cup, is this normal? Question 3: The water is kind of greenish brown. Is this normal from the cycle and live rock die off?

03/08/2006, 11:10 PM	#2
fareforce Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Anchorage, AK (Alaska) Home of the frozen weasel Posts: 1,811	#1 Run your lights as you will normally run them. During a cycle is a good time to perfect the adjustments for your timer. #2 yes. that is the normal break in. The lack of brown stuff is due to a very low bio-load. #3 Someone else will have to help there.. My water never did that. What are your water parameters? __________________ It's not my fault!!! It was an I.D.ten.T. thing.. Gosh!!!! (ID10T) --------------------------------------------- Click the red house to see my current build thread! Current Tank Info: Current Project. 110 gallon starphire.

03/08/2006, 11:11 PM	#3
mattvisocky2003 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 354	Well, I have a few questions. Are you also curing the LR? Also, do you have any test kits and access to RO/DI water? Your cycle will vary from tank to tank. I would keep the lights off mainly because you don't need them on and you will get a mass of algae with them on right now. If you are also curing the rock your water will be brown and your skimmer will pull out a lot of gunk. If you are not curing then it may be an algae bloom or bacterial bloom if it is cloudy. All skimmers have a "break-in" period, but they all vary on time frame. Make sure you get test kits and take it slow.

03/08/2006, 11:18 PM	#4
RevChrissy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 8	The LR is being cured. My test kits show that Ammonia is nearly 0, and Nitrite is above 5.0ppm (off my chart) and PH is 8.2 grav is 1.024

03/08/2006, 11:46 PM	#6
RevChrissy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 8	It's okay to do water changes during the cycle?