9 day old 75 gal tank

tony47nv · 09/21/2014, 06:10 PM

Hello to all first really enjoy reading here,this is my first post after about 2 weeks reaeding and then joining. Have 75 gal with 40 lbs sand and 30lbs of so called live sand came with bio pack of liquid also added abot 5lbs of live rock fully engulfed with red and green plant lfe and a real purple coraline crust. readings after 9days almost forgot the raw shrip added after day 5. all at zero ph at 8.0 and now have some brown spots on the sand that have increase the last 2 days nothing in skimmer cup. does my cycle sound like its on track?

Vapour1ze · 09/21/2014, 06:21 PM

Yes, Diatoms.

tony47nv · 09/21/2014, 09:36 PM

could ammonia with the ingredient -surfactant be used also?

Stevenliu9 · 09/21/2014, 09:43 PM

Having diatom, to cyanobacteria on sand/rock is a normal part of the cycle. Nothing to worry. Although if you dont any anything in tank yet you probably can dial back on photo period to save energy and to cut back unnecessary diatom and algae growth.

JammyBirch · 09/22/2014, 08:26 AM

You added the shrimp 4 days ago and it's still reading 0 for ammonia and nitrites?

I'm in a similar situation started my tank 7 days ago, i too have diatoms and a couple live rocks similar to what you're describing to seed the dry rock in the tank. i haven't added a shrimp though, and i've never read any ammonia or nitrites.

I'm confused...

Zer0. · 09/22/2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony47nv

could ammonia with the ingredient -surfactant be used also?

No, thats soap. definetly dont want that in your tank. You just need patience. If you do want to dose liquid ammonia, i recommend ACE Janitorial Strength. It is available at ACE hardware, chain store in most states, and is 10% ammonia with nothing else added. No dyes, No fragrance, no soap (surfactants)

Good luck!

shesacharmer · 09/23/2014, 06:26 AM

It sounds like you don't need ammonia at this point...just patience. Remember that you are cycling the sand and rock, not the water...it takes awhile for the bacteria to multiply to the number needed and then it takes even longer for that bacteria population to stabilize in the environment that you've created for it. Pretty interesting stuff to be able to create your own environment, eh?

Nina51 · 09/23/2014, 07:16 AM

not sure i'm reading this right but do you have only 5# of live rock in this tank?

tony47nv · 09/23/2014, 08:02 AM

Thank you guys. Waited it out and day 11 have ammonia level of some where between .25 /.50 not the second color on chart and not yet that green of the third color will test tonight finally feel some progress!!

tony47nv · 09/23/2014, 08:05 AM

Yes only 5lbs that will eventually go into the canister plan on fish only till it gets established then will wait for some real nice looking rock to add

FDdragon · 09/24/2014, 04:56 AM

if you are cycling I would add the live rock now.

1987 · 09/24/2014, 11:27 AM

Totally normal for a new tank going through a cycle

09/21/2014, 06:10 PM	#1
tony47nv Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 12	9 day old 75 gal tank Hello to all first really enjoy reading here,this is my first post after about 2 weeks reaeding and then joining. Have 75 gal with 40 lbs sand and 30lbs of so called live sand came with bio pack of liquid also added abot 5lbs of live rock fully engulfed with red and green plant lfe and a real purple coraline crust. readings after 9days almost forgot the raw shrip added after day 5. all at zero ph at 8.0 and now have some brown spots on the sand that have increase the last 2 days nothing in skimmer cup. does my cycle sound like its on track?

09/21/2014, 06:21 PM	#2
Vapour1ze I'm an Addict. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Yorkville, IL Posts: 3,036	Yes, Diatoms. __________________ 93 Reef \| 220 Reef \| Basement Fish Life Support Room \| Empty Savings Account

09/23/2014, 06:26 AM	#7
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	It sounds like you don't need ammonia at this point...just patience. Remember that you are cycling the sand and rock, not the water...it takes awhile for the bacteria to multiply to the number needed and then it takes even longer for that bacteria population to stabilize in the environment that you've created for it. Pretty interesting stuff to be able to create your own environment, eh? __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress... Last edited by shesacharmer; 09/23/2014 at 06:37 AM. Reason: clarity

09/23/2014, 07:16 AM	#8
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	not sure i'm reading this right but do you have only 5# of live rock in this tank? __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

09/21/2014, 09:36 PM	#3
tony47nv Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 12	could ammonia with the ingredient -surfactant be used also?

09/21/2014, 09:43 PM	#4
Stevenliu9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Madison WI Posts: 795	Having diatom, to cyanobacteria on sand/rock is a normal part of the cycle. Nothing to worry. Although if you dont any anything in tank yet you probably can dial back on photo period to save energy and to cut back unnecessary diatom and algae growth.

09/22/2014, 08:26 AM	#5
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	You added the shrimp 4 days ago and it's still reading 0 for ammonia and nitrites? I'm in a similar situation started my tank 7 days ago, i too have diatoms and a couple live rocks similar to what you're describing to seed the dry rock in the tank. i haven't added a shrimp though, and i've never read any ammonia or nitrites. I'm confused...

09/23/2014, 08:02 AM	#9
tony47nv Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 12	Thank you guys. Waited it out and day 11 have ammonia level of some where between .25 /.50 not the second color on chart and not yet that green of the third color will test tonight finally feel some progress!!

09/23/2014, 08:05 AM	#10
tony47nv Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 12	Yes only 5lbs that will eventually go into the canister plan on fish only till it gets established then will wait for some real nice looking rock to add

09/24/2014, 04:56 AM	#11
FDdragon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 85	if you are cycling I would add the live rock now.

09/24/2014, 11:27 AM	#12
1987 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 60	Totally normal for a new tank going through a cycle