Cycling

[hades302]

How do i know when the cycling prosses is over or do i just wait 1 - 2 months to be safe.
Is there away you can test it.
I have a test kit that has about 6 diffrent bottles of solution.
And a hydrometer

[kraze3]

You need to test for ammonia. You will see it rise and then fall back to zero. After it hits zero wait a week to be sure and the cycle is done. I dont mean to sound harsh but while your tank is cycling read all that you can. The stickes at the top of this forum are a great place to start.

Ditch the hydrometer and get a refractometer. Hydrometers are notorious for bad readings.

[hades302]

Thanks not harsh its fine i have been on here reading as mutch as i can. And thanks again.

[kraze3]

Your welcome and I forgot ...


To Reef Central

[wab]

Welcome aboard. +1 read and ask questions

[wab]

+ 1 for refractometer also. E-bay 25 bucks

[Percula9]

The cycle is finished when nitrites are no longer present and only nitrates can be measured.

[Percula9]

The cycle is finished when nitrites are no longer present and only nitrates can be measured.

[hades302]

My kit doesnt test for nitrites and ammonia.
This is it http://www.petmountain.com/shop/larg...r-test-kit.jpg

[Michael]

i keep seeing new reefers make these simple mistakes really, sorry to sound harsh buddy, basically i wish i could have got hold of you before you added water, the best method is to buy 3 test kits to start, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. you test every day for ammonia and nitrite, as mentioned above they will rise and rise and then start to fall, nitrate will the start to rise, when ammonia and nitrite have been 0 for 2-3 days then do a 20-25% water change to dilute the nitrate formed, this can take 1 day to 6 weeks depending on your rock and filteration methods, some folk with cured live rock never see a cycle, however most of us do, and testing is the only way, you can still get the test kits you need and test now, but it may be you never see ammonia and nitrite as you may be cycled, we and you just dont know really, i do wish you the very best of luck and im delighted you have joined us here on the forum


To Reef Central

[hades302]

lol i have propebly got the wrong stuff i told the shop i wanted to have both fish and reef i have spent $1065 so far without fish and rock i know ill cost prolly that again.
Just dunno when i can add some stuff to the tank is all lol.

[Michael]

Originally posted by hades302
lol i have propebly got the wrong stuff i told the shop i wanted to have both fish and reef i have spent $1065 so far without fish and rock i know ill cost prolly that again.
Just dunno when i can add some stuff to the tank is all lol.

no worries buddy, anyhow if you have no rock, what are you using for your main biological filteration?

[hades302]

I have no idea thats all they give me and told me to wait 2 months they gave me 6 foot tank a canister filter crushed coral test kit hydrometer cost $1065
I told them i wanted to start a marine aquarium with fish and reef.
lol im feeling pritty dumb right now hehehehe.

[Michael]

ok, its not your fault, i want to help you, so can you let me know how your tank is running, is it just a glass box full of water and crushed coral at the moment, and a canister filled with foam or sponges then?

[hades302]

Its a Aquis 1000 100L/hr 200-330L up to 200L 1.8 m 6.5 L 240V/50Hz 20.5 W
webpage here http://www.aquaone.co.uk/filter_external.php
its the 1000
yep just a glass tank 6 foot with crushed coral been going for 1 week.

[Michael]

ok, well i know you have spent some money and wont like this, but you will not succeed with a reef with your current set up, all is not lost though, you can still use what you have bought, im going to make some suggestions, and will re-post in about 5 mins when ive made my morning coffee,lol

[Michael]

ok heres my views.

i suggest you shut the tank down now, and start again, its only been a week and even though its painful you will thank me for it in 3 months time, so strip the tank, chuck out the crushed coral and wash out the tank.

then go to your local store or a store and get 150-200 pounds of rock, place in the tank and when your happy with the look add 1" of aragonite medium grade sand around it, try using ro-di water from the start as well, you will also need to purchase at least 2 powerful powerheads for your tank, id suggest 2 modded tunze 6025s or 2 tunze 6045s, you can use the canister but run it empty at this stage, it will be useful later for chemical filteration, but thats a while away yet. when you position the rock try to keep it away from the glass, this will help the flow and will be easier to clean the glass in the future. you will need 3 test kits to start as well ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and follow the earlier instructions i posted on here.

this is painful and costly i know, but in the long run is essential, you will not have success with your current set up, crushed coral is crap tbh, and you have no rock or flow, sorry to be the bearer of bad news buddy, but honestly i think you need to start again.

let me know your thoughts on the matter, and theres still plenty more i can tell you as well but im starting with the basics to get you going

michael

[hades302]

My thought it o **** lol

[Heinz]

if you used tap water, you need to replace the water with ro/di water
i would also take the crushe coral out, and would run activated carbon in your canister filter,

get your water parameters to

salinity 1.026
dkh 6.5- 7.5
mag 1350
cal 400- 450
ph 8

get a good skimmer and lights

then add life rock,

thats when the cycle will start, give it some time,

i know waiting is hard, but 2 month is a good time to let the tank run with just the LR - skimmer and lights

[Michael]

i will let you know my opinions on skimming and sumps/refugiums at another point,lol unless you want to get your tank drilled whilst its empty

[hades302]

so what can i use my tank for at the moment anything at all.

[Michael]

well personally id shut it down, and get the rock and powerheads at least to start, if you havent got the money then save up and do some research, we would all be happy to give you a check list of kit to get, you will need to spend some cash though, unavoidable im afraid

[Heinz]

Originally posted by hades302
so what can i use my tank for at the moment anything at all.

i dont think there is anything wrong with your tank, just the CC you dont need,

and you need to add some LR and skimmer and of course flow and you are good to go

[Heinz]

what light do you actually have ?

[hades302]

flurecent double tubes at mement