New tank cycle - dry rock

FenSaLir · 05/02/2016, 03:09 AM

Hi all,

i am new to hobby and this is my first reef tank. I have 38gallon nuvo mini with marco rocks (dry) and live sand from two little fishies. Microbacter7 and MICROBE-LIFT Special Blend introduced 3 weeks ago. My problem is that i was out for 10 days and hadn't checked ammonia, N02, N03. When I went back my values was NH3 = 0.50 , NO2 = 0 , NO3 = 5 and i introduced Red Sea NO3: PO4-X suggested by my friend. My rocks were partially covered by miniature red particles but they disappeared in two days. Yesterday I did some tests (some of them for first time -KH,Ca,Mg) :
NH3 - lees than 0.25
NO2 = 0
NO3 = 0
PO4 = 0
KH = 7.3
Ca = 470
Mg = 1200
Salinity 1.025

And now my question is is my tank cycled ? I am not sure if there was ammonia peak or not as i was traveling. Should I wait little bit more or it's time for cleaning crew ? Not sure about red cover - for how log it was there and how much but now there is nothing. Just only thing good to mention is that in my sand bed there are bubbles.

Thank for your hints.

sirclintler · 05/02/2016, 07:19 AM

If you had an ammonia spike you would see a high nitrate level after your cycle is complete, foe example my ammonia spike was at 4ppm and when it was all said and done my nitrates were at 50ppm. you should be able to add ammonia and if the ammonia and nitrites are gone after 24 hours you are cycled, the additives and live sand may have worked out well for you but I would be leary. Bubbles are a good sign that the bacteria is working.

FenSaLir · 05/02/2016, 07:37 AM

Thank you sirclintler , i will try that. Just one more question may I use 25% ammonia water for that and how much shall i put ?

110GTJ · 05/02/2016, 08:25 AM

I always think it's safe to add livestock then bam I'm wrong lol

Potatohead · 05/02/2016, 09:18 AM

Get some pure ammonia from the store and put in a small amount, maybe 20 drops. Test an hour later and then again test 24 hours later. If the ammonia has been consumed and your nitrates have risen, the tank is cycled

gone fishin · 05/02/2016, 11:15 AM

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/...niaCycling.php

The calculator should help you figure out how much to put in. good luck

05/02/2016, 03:09 AM	#1
FenSaLir Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Prague Czech Republic Posts: 7	New tank cycle - dry rock Hi all, i am new to hobby and this is my first reef tank. I have 38gallon nuvo mini with marco rocks (dry) and live sand from two little fishies. Microbacter7 and MICROBE-LIFT Special Blend introduced 3 weeks ago. My problem is that i was out for 10 days and hadn't checked ammonia, N02, N03. When I went back my values was NH3 = 0.50 , NO2 = 0 , NO3 = 5 and i introduced Red Sea NO3: PO4-X suggested by my friend. My rocks were partially covered by miniature red particles but they disappeared in two days. Yesterday I did some tests (some of them for first time -KH,Ca,Mg) : NH3 - lees than 0.25 NO2 = 0 NO3 = 0 PO4 = 0 KH = 7.3 Ca = 470 Mg = 1200 Salinity 1.025 And now my question is is my tank cycled ? I am not sure if there was ammonia peak or not as i was traveling. Should I wait little bit more or it's time for cleaning crew ? Not sure about red cover - for how log it was there and how much but now there is nothing. Just only thing good to mention is that in my sand bed there are bubbles. Thank for your hints. __________________ Nuvo Mini 38 Current Tank Info: Nuvo Mini 38

05/02/2016, 07:37 AM	#3
FenSaLir Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Prague Czech Republic Posts: 7	Thank you sirclintler , i will try that. Just one more question may I use 25% ammonia water for that and how much shall i put ? __________________ Nuvo Mini 38 Current Tank Info: Nuvo Mini 38

05/02/2016, 08:25 AM	#4
110GTJ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Davenport FL Posts: 19	I always think it's safe to add livestock then bam I'm wrong lol __________________ Tj Spyrka

05/02/2016, 11:15 AM	#6
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/...niaCycling.php The calculator should help you figure out how much to put in. good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

05/02/2016, 07:19 AM	#2
sirclintler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 267	If you had an ammonia spike you would see a high nitrate level after your cycle is complete, foe example my ammonia spike was at 4ppm and when it was all said and done my nitrates were at 50ppm. you should be able to add ammonia and if the ammonia and nitrites are gone after 24 hours you are cycled, the additives and live sand may have worked out well for you but I would be leary. Bubbles are a good sign that the bacteria is working.

05/02/2016, 09:18 AM	#5
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	Get some pure ammonia from the store and put in a small amount, maybe 20 drops. Test an hour later and then again test 24 hours later. If the ammonia has been consumed and your nitrates have risen, the tank is cycled