Used tank not cyclying???

pezcubano · 05/22/2007, 09:58 PM

I bought a used 75 Gallon tank with a 20 Gallon sump. The seller emptied the display except for 2 inches of water at the bottom and he left the sump filled with water with the light over the algae so it would keep growing. I bought the tank and had it set up again with water 4 days later. I also got some live rock from him and some rock from my lfs. I have added some stuff to help induce a cycle, but my levels have been spectacular for over a week. Ammonia=0 Nitrites=0 Nitrates=5, and ph between 8.2 - 8.4
Is it possible my tank wont cycle because I got it with all the beneficial bacteria alread alive in it?

mskohl · 05/22/2007, 10:06 PM

It sounds like it is possible. If the sump (sounds like it's just the refugium) had the sand, algae, and water kept alive and well, that will shorten your cycle. If the rock you bought from him and the LFS was live and had been in use - then you're good. Though, I would expect to see some die off.

What did you add to help induce a cycle?

pezcubano · 05/22/2007, 10:09 PM

Gotta see what it was, its at the office where the tank is.
I think it was actually called "Cycle". It has bits and pieces of organic matter that supposedly kick start the cycle. Bought it at my lfs

demonsp · 05/22/2007, 10:10 PM

Seeing a full cycle doesnt always happen. Lots of varibles. New set up i would let go 6 to 8 weeks while doing weekly water changes and keeping an eye on perimators. But used tank can be scary if all his stuff used. Did the tank have ick , water quality kept up . Ect..

pezcubano · 05/22/2007, 10:13 PM

Gotta see what it was, its at the office where the tank is.
I think it was actually called "Cycle". It has bits and pieces of organic matter that supposedly kick start the cycle. Bought it at my lfs.
What do you mean by die-off?

mskohl · 05/22/2007, 10:24 PM

The stuff they sell like that really doesn't help a cycle. At best it's just something that will decompose and then cycle. Not really speeding it up. I'd say your best bet is with the rock or refugium.

I'd still test for about 2 weeks and see if you have any changes. Throw some flake food in there and see if you've got the bacteria to handle it.

By die-off, I mean that when rock is transported out of water, there are living things on it that will die: sponges, macro algae, bacteria, etc. If it smells, it has something decomposing.

clevername · 05/22/2007, 10:50 PM

Since you have all the LR in there, i would imagine that all the beneficial bacteria is already established. To answer your question, i dont think you would see a cycle.

fry_school101 · 05/22/2007, 11:11 PM

What lights do you have on it? I purchased a lot of my stuff used 3+ years min. and it still cycled. When I stepped up the lights it went through some more cycles. Just keep an eye on it. If you are picking up some hardy fish you could prob add one or two (cheap fish - mollies, damsels etc. . .) Put a xenia or two from a local member. They are good helpers for looking at general conditions.

BurntOutReefer · 05/22/2007, 11:16 PM

"What lights do you have on it? I purchased a lot of my stuff used 3+ years min. and it still cycled. When I stepped up the lights it went through some more cycles"....

what?

demonsp · 05/22/2007, 11:20 PM

I bought all fully cured LR , all live sand and t-5 lighting and all i saw was a small algea bloom with no high spikes in reading , no spikes at all really. But i waited 6 weeks before cleanuo crew then stock.

05/22/2007, 09:58 PM	#1
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	Used tank not cyclying??? I bought a used 75 Gallon tank with a 20 Gallon sump. The seller emptied the display except for 2 inches of water at the bottom and he left the sump filled with water with the light over the algae so it would keep growing. I bought the tank and had it set up again with water 4 days later. I also got some live rock from him and some rock from my lfs. I have added some stuff to help induce a cycle, but my levels have been spectacular for over a week. Ammonia=0 Nitrites=0 Nitrates=5, and ph between 8.2 - 8.4 Is it possible my tank wont cycle because I got it with all the beneficial bacteria alread alive in it?

05/22/2007, 10:06 PM	#2
mskohl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stilwell, KS Posts: 2,114	It sounds like it is possible. If the sump (sounds like it's just the refugium) had the sand, algae, and water kept alive and well, that will shorten your cycle. If the rock you bought from him and the LFS was live and had been in use - then you're good. Though, I would expect to see some die off. What did you add to help induce a cycle? __________________ Current tanks: 225g mixed reef and a 75g lps and softy

05/22/2007, 10:24 PM	#6
mskohl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stilwell, KS Posts: 2,114	The stuff they sell like that really doesn't help a cycle. At best it's just something that will decompose and then cycle. Not really speeding it up. I'd say your best bet is with the rock or refugium. I'd still test for about 2 weeks and see if you have any changes. Throw some flake food in there and see if you've got the bacteria to handle it. By die-off, I mean that when rock is transported out of water, there are living things on it that will die: sponges, macro algae, bacteria, etc. If it smells, it has something decomposing. __________________ Current tanks: 225g mixed reef and a 75g lps and softy

05/22/2007, 10:50 PM	#7
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	Since you have all the LR in there, i would imagine that all the beneficial bacteria is already established. To answer your question, i dont think you would see a cycle. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

05/22/2007, 10:09 PM	#3
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	Gotta see what it was, its at the office where the tank is. I think it was actually called "Cycle". It has bits and pieces of organic matter that supposedly kick start the cycle. Bought it at my lfs

05/22/2007, 10:10 PM	#4
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Seeing a full cycle doesnt always happen. Lots of varibles. New set up i would let go 6 to 8 weeks while doing weekly water changes and keeping an eye on perimators. But used tank can be scary if all his stuff used. Did the tank have ick , water quality kept up . Ect..

05/22/2007, 10:13 PM	#5
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	Gotta see what it was, its at the office where the tank is. I think it was actually called "Cycle". It has bits and pieces of organic matter that supposedly kick start the cycle. Bought it at my lfs. What do you mean by die-off?

05/22/2007, 11:11 PM	#8
fry_school101 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Washington DC / Arlington, VA Posts: 73	What lights do you have on it? I purchased a lot of my stuff used 3+ years min. and it still cycled. When I stepped up the lights it went through some more cycles. Just keep an eye on it. If you are picking up some hardy fish you could prob add one or two (cheap fish - mollies, damsels etc. . .) Put a xenia or two from a local member. They are good helpers for looking at general conditions.

05/22/2007, 11:16 PM	#9
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	"What lights do you have on it? I purchased a lot of my stuff used 3+ years min. and it still cycled. When I stepped up the lights it went through some more cycles".... what?

05/22/2007, 11:20 PM	#10
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	I bought all fully cured LR , all live sand and t-5 lighting and all i saw was a small algea bloom with no high spikes in reading , no spikes at all really. But i waited 6 weeks before cleanuo crew then stock.