Is my cycle over??

sonoma2nv · 02/07/2006, 09:28 PM

It looks like my cycle is over.

Temp.78-81 it is 78 at night i need to get a better heater.
Ph 8.1
Alk 1.7-2.8
Calcium 320ppm
Nitrate 20ppm
Phosphate 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm

I have been cycling the 55gal since 1/8/06 with 120lbs lr and 80lbs of ls.Is it ok to add some more sand later?I want to find some southdown sand this spring.I want to add 2 Ocellaris Clownfish this weekend.Will this be fine if my params are still good?And since my Nitrate is 20ppm should i do a 20% water change or smaller?

Ps if Ocellaris Clownfish is not to good to start with please recommend another clownfish.Thanks Derrick

sonoma2nv · 02/07/2006, 09:31 PM

Sorry i forgot my sg is 1.024.And ill be adding a clean up crew to .Any suggestions Welcome.Thanks For your Time Derrick

GARFVolunteer · 02/07/2006, 09:44 PM

I would prefer to see the alk between 2.8 and 3.5.

You can add sand later if you pay attention how you do it. When you add it, add small amounts at a time. What you do not want to do is pile on a large amount of dead sand on top of the live sand.

Are you feeding the tank? The live rock and sand needs to be fed to keep it "live"...

It would be about time to add critters just do it slow.

Thank,

Scott

sonoma2nv · 02/07/2006, 09:58 PM

No i have not been Feeding the live sand.How would i go about doing this.Thanks Derrick

Blown 346 · 02/07/2006, 10:50 PM

You can use phyto plankton, it will help build skeletal structure for all inverts, fish, corals.

bertoni · 02/07/2006, 11:07 PM

The water parameters need a bit of work, IMO. This article should help:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Looks like the cycle is likely over. Sometimes people see secondary ammonia spikes, though.

GARFVolunteer · 02/07/2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sonoma2nv
No i have not been Feeding the live sand.How would i go about doing this.Thanks Derrick

I feed it about the same amount that I would expect the fish to eat. The food breaks down just like fish waste does. I usually use flake food thus "feeding" the live rock/sand.

Thanks,

Scott

capefear · 02/08/2006, 01:44 PM

should be over, get the cal up to 450ppm

02/07/2006, 09:28 PM	#1
sonoma2nv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Richmond,VA Posts: 177	Is my cycle over?? It looks like my cycle is over. Temp.78-81 it is 78 at night i need to get a better heater. Ph 8.1 Alk 1.7-2.8 Calcium 320ppm Nitrate 20ppm Phosphate 0ppm Nitrite 0ppm Ammonia 0ppm I have been cycling the 55gal since 1/8/06 with 120lbs lr and 80lbs of ls.Is it ok to add some more sand later?I want to find some southdown sand this spring.I want to add 2 Ocellaris Clownfish this weekend.Will this be fine if my params are still good?And since my Nitrate is 20ppm should i do a 20% water change or smaller? Ps if Ocellaris Clownfish is not to good to start with please recommend another clownfish.Thanks Derrick

02/07/2006, 09:44 PM	#3
GARFVolunteer Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,108	I would prefer to see the alk between 2.8 and 3.5. You can add sand later if you pay attention how you do it. When you add it, add small amounts at a time. What you do not want to do is pile on a large amount of dead sand on top of the live sand. Are you feeding the tank? The live rock and sand needs to be fed to keep it "live"... It would be about time to add critters just do it slow. Thank, Scott __________________ Proud Member Idaho Marine Aquarium Society A fair and biased reef hobbyist. "If I were going to set up a tank, and I am going to make some people mad here, I would use VHOs" Dana Riddle 3/2/2007 Current Tank Info: Brand new 150 gallon tall Reef trying Bonsai method, 60 gallon soft coral tank (not GARF style).

02/07/2006, 11:07 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The water parameters need a bit of work, IMO. This article should help: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php Looks like the cycle is likely over. Sometimes people see secondary ammonia spikes, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/07/2006, 09:31 PM	#2
sonoma2nv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Richmond,VA Posts: 177	Sorry i forgot my sg is 1.024.And ill be adding a clean up crew to .Any suggestions Welcome.Thanks For your Time Derrick

02/07/2006, 09:58 PM	#4
sonoma2nv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Richmond,VA Posts: 177	No i have not been Feeding the live sand.How would i go about doing this.Thanks Derrick

02/07/2006, 10:50 PM	#5
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	You can use phyto plankton, it will help build skeletal structure for all inverts, fish, corals.

02/08/2006, 01:44 PM	#8
capefear Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 263	should be over, get the cal up to 450ppm