Is my cycle done, Or even started

Trigger780 · 05/12/2010, 09:28 AM

so I have a 75gallon with a 30gal sump. Approx 65lbs too 80lbs of cured LR. Its been about 3weeks now and im getting the same results. Im Using salifert test kits.

When i test for ammonia, I get the same result, The water in the test vial just turns cloudy theres no yellow.. So im unsure if this is an ammonia reading or normal. And nitrites are .0

My test results keep coming back the same from day 1 too now, theres never a change..

Im starting too think the cycle is done, would like some of your guys thoughts on this before I start adding livestock.

dcombs44 · 05/12/2010, 09:35 AM

If the live rock was truly cured, then dieoff during transport would've probably been minimal and you wouldn't have seen much of a cycle as bacteria was already colonized on the rock, and there was no decaying organic matter to spike your parameters.

If you're not planning on adding livestock for a while, (i would probably wait if it were me), you could toss a little food in the tank every few days to keep the cycle going.

crazylegs · 05/12/2010, 09:38 AM

If you used cured LR, then three weeks is a good amount of time to have waited. Seems like your rock may have actually been cured instead of just labeled cured! I'm sure it would be O.K. to add a few small things and observe. Did your rock drop alot of detritus in your tank?

Trigger780 · 05/12/2010, 11:55 AM

There is some detritus on the sand bed, not very much. why do you ask?

Yes i do belive this was truly cured rock, i got it from a reliable source.

Edit** I forgot too mention, I had this rock in transport for about 3 hours, most off the rock was submerged for the trip, then when arriving at my destination I had put the rock in a rubbermaid bin for about 3weeks prior too putting in my tank, as i never had anything ready

Stroob · 05/12/2010, 12:09 PM

3 weeks in the rubbermaid is where your cycle occurred if it was going to on the cured rock. Biggest thing in this hobby as you have probalby heard countless times is take it slow. I think at this point you should be able to add your CUC and just keep an eye on your test levels. Make sure to give the tank time to recover from stocking changes in between additions.

Trigger780 · 05/12/2010, 12:20 PM

The CUC was my next question, There is no signs of any kind of algea anywhere in the tank, mabey I should just add a hardy fish first?

crazylegs · 05/12/2010, 12:50 PM

I asked about detritus off of the rock because uncured rock that has alot off die off will leave a big mess on top of your nice new substrate. Your rock is definately nice'n cured by now. I'm with you on the hardy fish thing. Except, make sure the fish is one of the more hardy fish that you actually intend to keep. Nothing sucks more than trying to catch a 3" domino damsel.

Maybe some of the more hardy members of your clean up crew could go in as well. Just not to many things at once. Maybe a small fish and say... six or eight hermits/snails. Or skip the fish and go for some mushrooms.

05/12/2010, 09:28 AM	#1
Trigger780 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 54	Is my cycle done, Or even started so I have a 75gallon with a 30gal sump. Approx 65lbs too 80lbs of cured LR. Its been about 3weeks now and im getting the same results. Im Using salifert test kits. When i test for ammonia, I get the same result, The water in the test vial just turns cloudy theres no yellow.. So im unsure if this is an ammonia reading or normal. And nitrites are .0 My test results keep coming back the same from day 1 too now, theres never a change.. Im starting too think the cycle is done, would like some of your guys thoughts on this before I start adding livestock.

05/12/2010, 09:35 AM	#2
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	If the live rock was truly cured, then dieoff during transport would've probably been minimal and you wouldn't have seen much of a cycle as bacteria was already colonized on the rock, and there was no decaying organic matter to spike your parameters. If you're not planning on adding livestock for a while, (i would probably wait if it were me), you could toss a little food in the tank every few days to keep the cycle going. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

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05/12/2010, 09:38 AM	#3
crazylegs Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 174	If you used cured LR, then three weeks is a good amount of time to have waited. Seems like your rock may have actually been cured instead of just labeled cured! I'm sure it would be O.K. to add a few small things and observe. Did your rock drop alot of detritus in your tank?

05/12/2010, 11:55 AM	#4
Trigger780 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 54	There is some detritus on the sand bed, not very much. why do you ask? Yes i do belive this was truly cured rock, i got it from a reliable source. Edit** I forgot too mention, I had this rock in transport for about 3 hours, most off the rock was submerged for the trip, then when arriving at my destination I had put the rock in a rubbermaid bin for about 3weeks prior too putting in my tank, as i never had anything ready

05/12/2010, 12:09 PM	#5
Stroob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 76	3 weeks in the rubbermaid is where your cycle occurred if it was going to on the cured rock. Biggest thing in this hobby as you have probalby heard countless times is take it slow. I think at this point you should be able to add your CUC and just keep an eye on your test levels. Make sure to give the tank time to recover from stocking changes in between additions.

05/12/2010, 12:20 PM	#6
Trigger780 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 54	The CUC was my next question, There is no signs of any kind of algea anywhere in the tank, mabey I should just add a hardy fish first?

05/12/2010, 12:50 PM	#7
crazylegs Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 174	I asked about detritus off of the rock because uncured rock that has alot off die off will leave a big mess on top of your nice new substrate. Your rock is definately nice'n cured by now. I'm with you on the hardy fish thing. Except, make sure the fish is one of the more hardy fish that you actually intend to keep. Nothing sucks more than trying to catch a 3" domino damsel. Maybe some of the more hardy members of your clean up crew could go in as well. Just not to many things at once. Maybe a small fish and say... six or eight hermits/snails. Or skip the fish and go for some mushrooms.