Added cuc, water parameters stable for a week. Can I add shrimp?

[Vilas]

So feeding isn't an ammonia source? I am feeding mysid daily.

[SwampyBill]

Yes, feeding is an ammonia source, but raw shrimp should bring quicker result.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by redheadedgirl

I only got a small ammonia spike in my tank. I have a 42 US gallon tank with refugium (can't remember how much water in that) which has been up and running for a whole 16 days. I'm not using live rock but Caribsea Life Rock (I don't want the pests). I put 2 dead prawns in the refugium to get the tank started on Day 3 and my ammonia went from 0 to <0.25, nitrites went from 0 to 0.1, nitrates stayed at 0 and after 3 days all the levels reduced to 0 again. On Day 12 my LFS said my tank had cycled (as I had no live rock or live sand) and I could start to put in a few crabs and snails. On Day 14 I bought 2 red leg hermit crabs, 1 rock hermit crab and a turbo snail. Ammonia has raised to <0.25, no change on nitrites or nitrates yet. Still waiting for the ammonia to reduce to 0.

So, after all my waffling, I didn't get a huge spike either.

So your NH3 went to 0 then back up. Hmm
I would keep on eye on it. I'm not new to the hobby but I'm not an expert. The number you guys are showing I wouldn't really call a spike. I would be worried if I saw the NH3 go back up. Mine spiked high and then dropped like a rock to 0 and stayed there. Maybe there's a way to get around that I don't really know.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by SwampyBill

Yes, feeding is an ammonia source, but raw shrimp should bring quicker result.

+1

I forgot about this

[SFish]

Originally Posted by SwampyBill

I agree there's no set time, but 6--8 weeks is normal cycle time (unless some type of ammonia source was added). Since you used live rock, sand & some ocean water, you may have just had a mini-cycle that was barely noticeable. I'd stop the ghost feeding, move the CUC back in QT for a day or 2; then just throw in a raw shrimp & see if you get a quick ammonia spike. If tank is cycled, NH3 will disappear within 24hrs. Check for when nitrites hit 0, look for when nitrates spike & then do a water change. Then you're good to go w/ more CUC & cleaner shrimp. Wait 2 wks, then you're good to add fish & get to reefing! Good luck!

Thanks
Good info to know

[SwampyBill]

Originally Posted by redheadedgirl

I only got a small ammonia spike in my tank. I have a 42 US gallon tank with refugium (can't remember how much water in that) which has been up and running for a whole 16 days. I'm not using live rock but Caribsea Life Rock (I don't want the pests). I put 2 dead prawns in the refugium to get the tank started on Day 3 and my ammonia went from 0 to <0.25, nitrites went from 0 to 0.1, nitrates stayed at 0 and after 3 days all the levels reduced to 0 again. On Day 12 my LFS said my tank had cycled (as I had no live rock or live sand) and I could start to put in a few crabs and snails. On Day 14 I bought 2 red leg hermit crabs, 1 rock hermit crab and a turbo snail. Ammonia has raised to <0.25, no change on nitrites or nitrates yet. Still waiting for the ammonia to reduce to 0.

So, after all my waffling, I didn't get a huge spike either.

With all due respect, I'm not sure your LFS gave you correct info...I doubt your tank cycled in 12 days, esp. w/o live rock or live sand (& even w/ 2 prawns in refug). It can take from 6--8 wks for a tank to cycle normally. You'll see an ammonia spike, then nitrites, then nitrates. Has your ammonia level risen above 0.25 since adding the CUC? I think you're having a slow cycle & it's just starting since you used dry rock that takes more time to colonize good bacteria. What type of sand did you use or did you go barebottom?

[SwampyBill]

Originally Posted by SFish

Thanks
Good info to know

Yer welcome. Just paying forward the knowledge I've learned here over the yrs. Good luck!

[SFish]

Originally Posted by SwampyBill

With all due respect, I'm not sure your LFS gave you correct info...I doubt your tank cycled in 12 days, esp. w/o live rock or live sand (& even w/ 2 prawns in refug). It can take from 6--8 wks for a tank to cycle normally. You'll see an ammonia spike, then nitrites, then nitrates. Has your ammonia level risen above 0.25 since adding the CUC? I think you're having a slow cycle & it's just starting since you used dry rock that takes more time to colonize good bacteria. What type of sand did you use or did you go barebottom?

+1

When I first started I had this guy sell me fish that weren't compatible 3 times. Ick keep breaking out in the tank because of fish fighting then he tried to sell me a uv sterilizer. At the time I had no idea. When he told me the price of the UV sterilizer I told him no way am I buying that. This is my 2nd time trying and I've learned more from this form then ever before. I learned that you need to take things slow and get as much info as you can before doing something.