slow cycle?

btank · 02/06/2007, 04:33 PM

Just wondering as I cycle my new AP24. It has only been 6 days and I realize I am far from done with the cycle. However, I have tested a couple times just to kind of learn more as I go. I want to no exactly what is going on! I have gotten very high (off the chart) readings for Ammonia and have yet to get any readings for Nitrite or Nitrate. I have loaded my tank with about 20lbs live rock (cured, but shipped so I expect a lot of die off) and 30 lbs of Caribsea sand (bagged in water). Pump and lighting are stock for now and only using half a sponge in back to collect big chucks (again for now). Question time...Should I be seeing some nitrite and nitrate already or does it sometimes take time to establish the bacteria factory to break down the ammonia? Am I doing something wrong? Should I be doing something other than starring at the pump circulating water around my rock?

TekCat · 02/06/2007, 04:37 PM

You're fine, no worries... cycle is a unpredictable thing.... The classical example is nitrites start rising (and maybe appearing on test) when ammonia peaks and starts to drop. But there are no guarantees that your cycle will be a textbook case.

Just keep the flow going, salinity and temperature stable, and you'll be fine (and tank as well)

cheers

zoomfish1 · 02/06/2007, 04:53 PM

Sounds right on track as TekCat said. As you continue testing you will see ammonia start to drop and nitrates start to rise. Sg should be around 1.025 to 1.026 and try to keep temp betwen 79 and 81. Good luck with it.

bertoni · 02/06/2007, 05:11 PM

Some water changes might reduce stress on animals in the live rock. I'd do some if I had the energy.

02/06/2007, 04:33 PM	#1
btank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 5	slow cycle? Just wondering as I cycle my new AP24. It has only been 6 days and I realize I am far from done with the cycle. However, I have tested a couple times just to kind of learn more as I go. I want to no exactly what is going on! I have gotten very high (off the chart) readings for Ammonia and have yet to get any readings for Nitrite or Nitrate. I have loaded my tank with about 20lbs live rock (cured, but shipped so I expect a lot of die off) and 30 lbs of Caribsea sand (bagged in water). Pump and lighting are stock for now and only using half a sponge in back to collect big chucks (again for now). Question time...Should I be seeing some nitrite and nitrate already or does it sometimes take time to establish the bacteria factory to break down the ammonia? Am I doing something wrong? Should I be doing something other than starring at the pump circulating water around my rock?

02/06/2007, 04:53 PM	#3
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	Sounds right on track as TekCat said. As you continue testing you will see ammonia start to drop and nitrates start to rise. Sg should be around 1.025 to 1.026 and try to keep temp betwen 79 and 81. Good luck with it. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

02/06/2007, 05:11 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Some water changes might reduce stress on animals in the live rock. I'd do some if I had the energy. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/06/2007, 04:37 PM	#2
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	You're fine, no worries... cycle is a unpredictable thing.... The classical example is nitrites start rising (and maybe appearing on test) when ammonia peaks and starts to drop. But there are no guarantees that your cycle will be a textbook case. Just keep the flow going, salinity and temperature stable, and you'll be fine (and tank as well) cheers