3 1/2 weeks since setup

donkeys4hire · 03/02/2010, 06:05 PM

I have readings of... 4 chromis, 90% dry rock 10% live. Diatom has come and since gone. Do you think I am over the cycle?
ammonia .25
ph 8.2
nitrate 0
nitrite 0.1
alk 2.0

Chiefsurfer · 03/02/2010, 06:10 PM

no

once ammonia and nitrite read zero(might take a while) you're done.

1, probably shouldn't have that many chromis'. They tend to kill eachother off until there are only 1 or 2 left.

2,why are there fish in there if you're not done with the cycle?

donkeys4hire · 03/02/2010, 06:13 PM

That is the advise that my LFS gave us to help the cycle process.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefsurfer

.
2,why are there fish in there if you're not done with the cycle?

xxjdmcivicek9xx · 03/02/2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkeys4hire

That is the advise that my LFS gave us to help the cycle process.

while it does help the cycling process, so does frozen krill or other frozen foods that dont suffer from ammonia and high nitrites and nitrates. not blaming you, because most LFS tell people to add live fish to cycle the tank.

Chiefsurfer · 03/02/2010, 06:29 PM

Sorry, yes, many LFS will tell you this. I remember you asking questions about your cycle maybe a little over a week ago, and thought that someone told you not to do this.

For future reference, all you need for cycling is ammonia. Fish produce ammonia in their rotting poo, and respiration. When we breathe, we produce CO2, well fish produce ammonia. This is why it is feasable to do this. But anything that rots will also produce ammonia. The best ways to cycle it is with some kind of raw fish stuff. This can be a raw shrimp(like we would eat from the grocery store), some flake food, etc. Just for the future referance.

OckMed · 03/02/2010, 07:09 PM

wow you guys sure like to make people feel like crap. why are you being so agressive with some one who got 4 lfs opinion and is learning about tanks. i cycled my tank with fish and they lived and i still have them today. all he asked is if his tank was done cycling not about fish. just try to stay on topic

wooden_reefer · 03/03/2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkeys4hire

I have readings of... 4 chromis, 90% dry rock 10% live. Diatom has come and since gone. Do you think I am over the cycle?
ammonia .25
ph 8.2
nitrate 0
nitrite 0.1
alk 2.0

Often, your cycle will not be a robust one if fish live thru a cycle.

You never need to have livestock to cycle.

If you do not plan to keep the fish for good, remove the fish and give them back to the LFS and add a source of ammonia now. You cycle will then finish strong in three or so weeks.

03/02/2010, 06:05 PM	#1
donkeys4hire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Port St Lucie Posts: 344	3 1/2 weeks since setup I have readings of... 4 chromis, 90% dry rock 10% live. Diatom has come and since gone. Do you think I am over the cycle? ammonia .25 ph 8.2 nitrate 0 nitrite 0.1 alk 2.0

03/02/2010, 06:10 PM	#2
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	no once ammonia and nitrite read zero(might take a while) you're done. 1, probably shouldn't have that many chromis'. They tend to kill eachother off until there are only 1 or 2 left. 2,why are there fish in there if you're not done with the cycle? __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/02/2010, 06:29 PM	#5
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	Sorry, yes, many LFS will tell you this. I remember you asking questions about your cycle maybe a little over a week ago, and thought that someone told you not to do this. For future reference, all you need for cycling is ammonia. Fish produce ammonia in their rotting poo, and respiration. When we breathe, we produce CO2, well fish produce ammonia. This is why it is feasable to do this. But anything that rots will also produce ammonia. The best ways to cycle it is with some kind of raw fish stuff. This can be a raw shrimp(like we would eat from the grocery store), some flake food, etc. Just for the future referance. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/02/2010, 07:09 PM	#6
OckMed Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 70	wow you guys sure like to make people feel like crap. why are you being so agressive with some one who got 4 lfs opinion and is learning about tanks. i cycled my tank with fish and they lived and i still have them today. all he asked is if his tank was done cycling not about fish. just try to stay on topic