A Funky Cycle. Normal??

RDuhb · 12/05/2012, 09:07 AM

Day 3 of my 75 gallon cycle (with raw shrimp) and it is starting get a bit ripe in my basement. I'm assuming this is normal because of the decaying shrimp, but is there anything I can do other than wait? BTW, as of yesterday ammonia was less than .25 and 0 nitrates.

boosted_347 · 12/05/2012, 09:19 AM

If you are between 0 and .25 I'd say you need to go from a bit ripe to you having to wear a gas mask in your basement.

You want to get that ammonia to get to at least 1.0. It will come.

Reeferz412 · 12/05/2012, 02:11 PM

You could just throw fish food in the tank. Imo that smells less. Or just have LR and let it die off and that could kick your cycle into gear.

erock68 · 12/05/2012, 04:11 PM

Ripe?

Just wait until you have a decent bio load and you dump the skimmer cup, for the first time

mal7887 · 12/05/2012, 07:07 PM

Are you using carbon? That can help with unpleasant smells.

Do you still have decaying shrimp in the tank?

Amatuer21 · 12/05/2012, 07:33 PM

Spray your tank down with lysol. lol jk

RDuhb · 12/05/2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mal7843

Are you using carbon? That can help with unpleasant smells.
Do you still have decaying shrimp in the tank?

No carbon yet. I didn't think I was suppose to use it during my cycle.
And yes, still have shrimp in the tank. Day 3 of cycle.

RDuhb · 12/05/2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amatuer21

Spray your tank down with lysol. lol jk

Febreeze should work better.

aquanooby · 12/06/2012, 05:25 PM

this is why i bought live sand , 75% of my water from established tank at lfs 25% just mixed, 6lbs of live rock, and 50 some lbs of rock not live but in a tank with same water as what is in live rocks tank. I am just doing very small feedings every 4 days for the clean up crew, And i mean very small feedings. I have had no cycle and the params are very good. I am though still being very patient I am in no rush. I wont add anything until i get a sump and skimmer and even at this point i will wait longer. Well am going to add some peppermint shrimp lol for my thriving aptasia lol .
On the live rock I have some feather dusters that are growing quite quick.

gaubow22 · 12/06/2012, 08:19 PM

Three days with that ammonia reading, I would say it is JUST starting. Do you have Live Rock in the tank yet?

RDuhb · 12/06/2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaubow22

Three days with that ammonia reading, I would say it is JUST starting. Do you have Live Rock in the tank yet?

I have about 70 pounds of Reef Saver rock from BRS and a SSB. I bought about 10 pounds of live rock to seed it, but didn't add it because as I was breaking it into smaller pieces I found some algae growing on it. At present, it's sitting in a bucket with a power head and heater. What's your advice on the LR algae issue?

gaubow22 · 12/07/2012, 08:59 AM

I would add it. IMO you are either going to have the nutrients that algae will grow anyway, or your setup won't allow it and it will die off the rock. Would help with the cycle etc.
I did the same with BRS reef saver and 10lbs. of Live Rock... and the shrimp for the cycle.

RDuhb · 12/07/2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaubow22

I would add it. IMO you are either going to have the nutrients that algae will grow anyway, or your setup won't allow it and it will die off the rock. Would help with the cycle etc.
I did the same with BRS reef saver and 10lbs. of Live Rock... and the shrimp for the cycle.

Thanks! I'll get it in there today or tomorrow.

12/05/2012, 09:07 AM	#1
RDuhb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 366	A Funky Cycle. Normal?? Day 3 of my 75 gallon cycle (with raw shrimp) and it is starting get a bit ripe in my basement. I'm assuming this is normal because of the decaying shrimp, but is there anything I can do other than wait? BTW, as of yesterday ammonia was less than .25 and 0 nitrates. __________________ And I thought my remote control airplane hobby was expensive...silly me!!

12/05/2012, 02:11 PM	#3
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	You could just throw fish food in the tank. Imo that smells less. Or just have LR and let it die off and that could kick your cycle into gear. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

12/05/2012, 04:11 PM	#4
erock68 It costs how much? Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Aurora, Oh Posts: 443	Ripe? Just wait until you have a decent bio load and you dump the skimmer cup, for the first time __________________ I may make mistakes...just not twice. Eric (Zoa Addict) Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef DT: All Pukani LR, 30g sump.

12/05/2012, 07:07 PM	#5
mal7887 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 643	Are you using carbon? That can help with unpleasant smells. Do you still have decaying shrimp in the tank? __________________ Matt Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. Current Tank Info: 190

12/05/2012, 09:19 AM	#2
boosted_347 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 99	If you are between 0 and .25 I'd say you need to go from a bit ripe to you having to wear a gas mask in your basement. You want to get that ammonia to get to at least 1.0. It will come.

12/05/2012, 07:33 PM	#6
Amatuer21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cuyahoga Falls Posts: 1,303	Spray your tank down with lysol. lol jk

12/06/2012, 05:25 PM	#9
aquanooby Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 144	this is why i bought live sand , 75% of my water from established tank at lfs 25% just mixed, 6lbs of live rock, and 50 some lbs of rock not live but in a tank with same water as what is in live rocks tank. I am just doing very small feedings every 4 days for the clean up crew, And i mean very small feedings. I have had no cycle and the params are very good. I am though still being very patient I am in no rush. I wont add anything until i get a sump and skimmer and even at this point i will wait longer. Well am going to add some peppermint shrimp lol for my thriving aptasia lol . On the live rock I have some feather dusters that are growing quite quick.

12/06/2012, 08:19 PM	#10
gaubow22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bolingbrook, Illinois Posts: 114	Three days with that ammonia reading, I would say it is JUST starting. Do you have Live Rock in the tank yet?

12/07/2012, 08:59 AM	#12
gaubow22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bolingbrook, Illinois Posts: 114	I would add it. IMO you are either going to have the nutrients that algae will grow anyway, or your setup won't allow it and it will die off the rock. Would help with the cycle etc. I did the same with BRS reef saver and 10lbs. of Live Rock... and the shrimp for the cycle.