4 weeks in

sirclintler · 04/15/2016, 10:56 AM

I have entered week 4 and I believe my tank is cycled, After 3 weeks I was showing 0 ammonia (spiked at 4PPM), 0 nitrites (spiked off the color chart), and 30 nitrates using the shrimp method, I have a small algae bloom (cycled with lights off). I have done a 40 gal water change and my nitrates are around 15 PPM, Is there any benefit to letting the LR handle the rest? I have not added any livestock, macro algae or CUC so I have as much time as I need.
SG-.025
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-15 ish
Used Dry rock
New Dry sand
Water is crystal clear w/o carbon, not sure why I'm surprised but I am.

cloak · 04/15/2016, 11:22 AM

As long as the cycle is in fact complete you can go ahead and add some livestock to the tank if you want. Your nitrates are a little high, but it could be a hell of a lot worse. Just develop a routine and stick with it. (regular water changes, blasting the rocks with power head, vacuuming sand bed etc) If everything goes well your nitrates should drop over time. GL.

uncleL · 04/15/2016, 11:27 AM

You said you just made a 40 gallon water change how large is your tank? What is your stocking list??

sirclintler · 04/15/2016, 07:14 PM

140 gallon system I would say, I haven't compiled a stock list yet but I was thinking of a fire shrimp,blenny,and a mandrin down the road. My tank will mostly be corals lps to start fish are second for me. 40 gal water change because that's all I had on hand. Forgot the 6 p's

04/15/2016, 10:56 AM	#1
sirclintler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 267	4 weeks in I have entered week 4 and I believe my tank is cycled, After 3 weeks I was showing 0 ammonia (spiked at 4PPM), 0 nitrites (spiked off the color chart), and 30 nitrates using the shrimp method, I have a small algae bloom (cycled with lights off). I have done a 40 gal water change and my nitrates are around 15 PPM, Is there any benefit to letting the LR handle the rest? I have not added any livestock, macro algae or CUC so I have as much time as I need. SG-.025 ammonia-0 nitrite-0 nitrate-15 ish Used Dry rock New Dry sand Water is crystal clear w/o carbon, not sure why I'm surprised but I am.

04/15/2016, 11:27 AM	#3
uncleL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NC Posts: 411	You said you just made a 40 gallon water change how large is your tank? What is your stocking list?? __________________ Current Tank Info: 75g QT, 90g DT, 180g under construction Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon setting up slowly, 90 Gallon Mixed Reef No Sump 3 Tangs,, 4 Clowns, Lawnmower Blenny, Coral Beauty, Coralband Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp, Snails, Zoas, Mushrooms, FrogsSpawn, Toadstools, FeatherDuster, Xenias, Anemones,29g, 20g

04/15/2016, 11:22 AM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	As long as the cycle is in fact complete you can go ahead and add some livestock to the tank if you want. Your nitrates are a little high, but it could be a hell of a lot worse. Just develop a routine and stick with it. (regular water changes, blasting the rocks with power head, vacuuming sand bed etc) If everything goes well your nitrates should drop over time. GL.

04/15/2016, 07:14 PM	#4
sirclintler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 267	140 gallon system I would say, I haven't compiled a stock list yet but I was thinking of a fire shrimp,blenny,and a mandrin down the road. My tank will mostly be corals lps to start fish are second for me. 40 gal water change because that's all I had on hand. Forgot the 6 p's