Tank cycling question

Chi Town Reefer · 05/10/2013, 11:50 AM

My tank has been up and running for 2-3 weeks, (can't remember been too busy). I am finally starting to see algae grow in the tank but it is only forming on the few pieces of liverock I bought from the LFS to seed the dry rock and dry sand I started with in the tank. Recently my Tunze 1605's are blowing the algae off the few rocks and landing around the tank spreading it around. My ammonia levels are still maxed out for my test kit and my Nitrate levels are also maxed out for my test kit, hopefully they will start dropping soon. Is there anything I should be doing during this stage or do I just let nature take it's course and continue. Below are a few pictures of the algae in the tank. I have never had to clean my glass yet since nothing is growing on it yet.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

SushiGirl · 05/10/2013, 12:09 PM

Nothing to do but wait.

Chi Town Reefer · 05/10/2013, 12:15 PM

Ok good, just wanted to make sure. I'm going out of town camping this weekend and didn't want to return to an emergency in the tank when I get back. Thanks SushiGirl.

Chi Town Reefer · 05/10/2013, 12:39 PM

One more question, when should I turn on my protein skimmer?

SushiGirl · 05/10/2013, 01:12 PM

Barring equipment failure/flooding, you should be fine.

Sorry, missed that last question. We ran ours the entire time. You can start it at any point without hurting anything. I'd probably wait till I got back just in case the cup fills up fast or something.

05/10/2013, 11:50 AM	#1
Chi Town Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 151	Tank cycling question My tank has been up and running for 2-3 weeks, (can't remember been too busy). I am finally starting to see algae grow in the tank but it is only forming on the few pieces of liverock I bought from the LFS to seed the dry rock and dry sand I started with in the tank. Recently my Tunze 1605's are blowing the algae off the few rocks and landing around the tank spreading it around. My ammonia levels are still maxed out for my test kit and my Nitrate levels are also maxed out for my test kit, hopefully they will start dropping soon. Is there anything I should be doing during this stage or do I just let nature take it's course and continue. Below are a few pictures of the algae in the tank. I have never had to clean my glass yet since nothing is growing on it yet. [IMG][/IMG]

05/10/2013, 12:09 PM	#2
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Nothing to do but wait. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

05/10/2013, 01:12 PM	#5
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Barring equipment failure/flooding, you should be fine. Sorry, missed that last question. We ran ours the entire time. You can start it at any point without hurting anything. I'd probably wait till I got back just in case the cup fills up fast or something. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

05/10/2013, 12:15 PM	#3
Chi Town Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 151	Ok good, just wanted to make sure. I'm going out of town camping this weekend and didn't want to return to an emergency in the tank when I get back. Thanks SushiGirl.

05/10/2013, 12:39 PM	#4
Chi Town Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 151	One more question, when should I turn on my protein skimmer?