Quick Question on Cycling Time

[soxenden]

Here for constructive feedback as I am new to Saltwater but had Freshwater for many years so not knew to aquariums and fish etc.

I set up a Deep Sea Aquatics 200 gallon Display Tank (3 drains 2 returns) last Monday (yes 7 days ago) with a 40 gallon sump carrying a Bubble Magus Curve 7 Skimmer.
One of my LFS provided the substrate and as they had 1 bag sold of mine they replaced it with live sand (bonus). They also provided 100 lbs of live rock to start out with. They also provided the pre mixed water.

All running smoothly with a little gunk in the skimmer each day and having to top off with RODI each day not a lot.

Then on Saturday afternoon (not morning) brown algae appeared on about a 1/3rd of my live rock. Did some research (do not know how I did not read about this before hand) and it seems natural Diatom and also maybe my lights were on too long during the day. I think I had between 10-12 hrs so cut down to 8-10 hrs. They are 3 x 120w LED's

Sunday I did my first parameter check and was really surprised to what I read. I used the Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit and I am very thorough when it comes to do anything with instructions so very sure of the results.

pH 8.0
Alkalinity 8dKH
Nitrate, Nitrite and Ammonia ALL 0 (zero)

Is it normal for a tank to have these readings so early on even thou with a head start with good water, live rock and some live sand. Oh they also added some quick start bacteria. Prime (removes chlorine, chloramine, Ammonia) that also detoxifies Nitrite and Nitrate.

I also found a few worm like creatures that I researched could be Vermetid. as they look calcified doesnt seem too bad but when I get to Corals in the future when tank more mature I amy want to remove somehow? They are on 1 rock only mainly singular and scattered, but there is a cluster of what looks like the same thing but rather than an inch or so long they are real short and real close together about 20 of them, could be the same thing but as its near the back of the rock and not wanting to mess with the tank so much left it alone. I also found one what could be Aiptasia that I am hoping a Peppermint Shrimp will find and get it when I eventually get one. Its kinda weirdly places so not sure the shrimp will be able to get there.

I guess my second question is, after the first one being should it read good readings so quickly, is could I go with a snail or two to eat the diatom (brown stuff) I am so on the fence with clean up crew. do not really like snails but if I get algae be nice that they will clean the back glass etc if needs be someday. Like hermits but do not want them picking on my corals or killing other hermits. But want to have a good balance of creatures all helping each other out having a fruitful life in my home.

OK have at it on the new guy. I am very patient and would wait until everything is perfect for the inhabitants but was surprised by the readings so early.

Thanks in advance for anyone that replies.
Oxy

[gone fishin]

What did you use to start your cycle?

You or LFs used prime. Does this mean you used tap water?

I would most likely add some more rock.

[JRR1285]

Good sounding setup you're going to have. Sounds like it's on the fast track to being a nice reef.

It sounds like you have fresh clean water that needs ammonia to get going. There's really no need to use Prime at this point in the setup either. I have used it in a pinch in a QT but don't typically put it in the display anymore (since switching to RODI water). The Diatoms you are seeing now are probably from the silica in the new sand you added. Your tank sounds like it still needs to cycle.

When I setup my most recent tank I decided to do a fish-less cycle. I used live sand along with some regular I had around. I used dead base rock with a few pieces of live rock from the LFS. You are already way ahead of that using the live sand and rock from your LFS.

I followed the instructions at this link pretty much to a "T". The pure ammonia was hard to find but the results were great and I started out with a tank with great biological filtration once the cycle was over.

Here is a the "Recipe" for what I did from that site:

There is no general recipe for fishless cycling. Since different brands of Ammonia have different concentrations, there is no formula for "x amount of Ammonia per gallon," you just need to keep testing. ACS grade ammonium hydroxide, for example, is ~28% NH3 while most household cleaner grades vary from 4-15%. Bottles that have been left open for long periods of time will be lower in concentration, as the NH3 gas escapes back into the atmosphere.

Currently there are two "good" recipes available and tested by other hobbyists.

1st method. 4-5 drops of NH3 / 10G / daily until NO2 peak, then reduction to 2-3 drops of NH3 / 10G / daily (this recipe uses ACS grade ammonium hydroxide ~28% NH3)

2nd method. This one is used by probably 99% of hobbyists. Addition of X amount of NH3 drops until Ammonia level of 5ppm is achieved. This X amount of drops has to be added daily until NO2 spike. Afterwards follow up with � X (from previous step) amount of NH3 drops daily until NO2 is 0ppm causing NO3 peak. ~50% water change should follow -> cycled tank. (this recipe uses regular Pure Ammonia 4-15%)
Once the tank has been cycled, the bacterial colony created by this method can handle a large bio load immediately. The amount of Ammonia produced directly relates to the amount of bacteria that will be in the tank (Bio Load). The amount of Ammonia added to the tank during the cycle is significantly higher than what would be contributed by a small number of hardy fish, therefore, a much larger, healthier bacterial colony exists at the end of the cycle using Ammonia than would if you used fish.

EDIT:
I forgot to add that you would just be looking for ammonia at any store. The issue is that it's hard to find ammonia without a sudsing agent. I went to 5 stores before I found it. I will look at the bottle when I get home and take a pic of what the ingredients should say. Best bet is a supermarket or dollar store. I found it at a local convenience store under the brand "Krasdale"

[soxenden]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

What did you use to start your cycle?

You or LFs used prime. Does this mean you used tap water?

I would most likely add some more rock.

Thanks for the reply. The only thing to start the cycle was the live sand, live rock and the Seachem Prime.

The LFS used prime and left me what is remaining in the bottle. I have not used it since they used day 1.

The water used was LFS supplied RODI pre mixed salt water. I top off with my own made RODI water. No tap water is ever getting ever my tank ever.

I plan to add more live rock at some stage when I see some I like. I thought 100 lbs is a great start considering I have no bio load in the tank right now and plan to add to the tank very slowly. Maybe a fish ever month or so as they go through and come out of my quarantine tank. Trying to do this the right way from the beginning.

[JRR1285]

If you decide to add ammonia the one you're looking for should just say "Ammonium Hydroxide" on the bottle, maybe some water to dilute it. It should not say soap or "Surfactants"

[gone fishin]

I do not see any reason to use prime in the tank at all, Since it is all RO/DI.

I would toss in a deli shrimp to start the cycle or use some pure ammonia until you get to about 4 ppm. Then just wait.

Just be advised that when adding LR to an already established tank, it is possible to have another mini cycle. It is very important to add the LR in small increments when doing this.

By the way I applaud you for already planning to use a QT. This should save you many headaches in the future. If in doubt just do a search on "My tank has ich".

[JRR1285]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

I do not see any reason to use prime in the tank at all, Since it is all RO/DI.

I would toss in a deli shrimp to start the cycle or use some pure ammonia until you get to about 4 ppm. Then just wait.

Just be advised that when adding LR to an already established tank, it is possible to have another mini cycle. It is very important to add the LR in small increments when doing this.

By the way I applaud you for already planning to use a QT. This should save you many headaches in the future. If in doubt just do a search on "My tank has ich".

I was really impressed with that too. I have come to learn the huge benefit of using a QT. I don't have one up right now but it takes little time and effort to get one going again. I have been having the itch to add a fish or two.

Back on topic, none of us ever really came out and said it, but according to what you have posted there was nothing added to the tank to get a "real" cycle going yet. Having zero nitrates is proof enough that there was very little die off from the live rock you added. There should be some measurable nitrates if the cycle is over.

You most likely have a good amount of beneficial bacteria already so your cycle should be quick.

[soxenden]

So I think you answered my query about the tank appear to be cycled so quickly. You are basically saying even with the live sand and live rock it has not began the cycling process at all. The live rock was fully cured and live with bacteria and the LFS said I would probably be ready in 3 weeks just leave it be. Check the skimmer and check the top off and that is that.

When I read about the diatom I was encouraged as I read many posts about that means 'congrats' you are close to the end of your cycle'

Thanks for the replies as love to learn and of course be fish safe.

[gone fishin]

If it is truly cycled,then if you add some ammonia to the tank about 4 ppm it should be gone within 24 hours.

I would speculate this will not be the case but with everything you put in the tank it would not take to long.

Off topic But I would encourage you to look into a auto top system to simplify your life. If you do not have one already.

[KeepNitReel]

If you want to find out if your tank is fully cycled or not, add pure ammonia (2-4ppm) like the other poster said. If ammonia & nitrite are at zero 24 hrs later then you are cycled.
I used Ace hardware janitorial strength ammonia. Dollar Tree carries pure ammonia also.

[soxenden]

Awesome thanks everyone

As for the auto top off. yes I have already planned the route from my laundry room sink into the garage, around the garage/laundry room door and then into the laundry room and then into the office so it is pretty much invisible and out of the way to get to the back of the tank and into my sump. Once I have a few other projects out the way its next up.