what should i look for as my cycle

carlos luis · 10/14/2009, 10:22 AM

progresses and in what order?

thegrun · 10/14/2009, 10:51 AM

Ammonia levels will spike and then drop to zero, Nitrite levels will spike and then drop to zero. After the nirtite drops to zero, make a 50% water change and add a clean-up crew. Expect various algae and diatom blooms for the first three months. 6 months for things to truly stabilize.

lordofthereef · 10/14/2009, 12:17 PM

Can you tell us a little more about your tank and what you put in it? I ask because people new to the hobby often get confused when they don't see much of a cycle and there are very many factors that can influence this. What "thegrun" said above is accurate but will not be seen under ALL conditions.

carlos luis · 10/14/2009, 01:10 PM

lordoftehreef,
i have a 65gal FOWLR. Everything except for the water came from a previous setup, although the rock was had been 'dry' for about 1 week. The sand remained in buckets with some of the water from the old setup.
Guess i missed the ammonia spike cause i now have the algae and diatom blooms. my nitrite is 0 and my nitrate is negligible using AGI testing.

jenjen · 10/14/2009, 10:18 PM

How long has your tank been set up for? Since your rock was out of water for a week you should see a noticeable cycle.

f2titan · 10/14/2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Ammonia levels will spike and then drop to zero, Nitrite levels will spike and then drop to zero. After the nirtite drops to zero, make a 50% water change and add a clean-up crew. Expect various algae and diatom blooms for the first three months. 6 months for things to truly stabilize.

Please clarify "clean-up crew".

dots · 10/14/2009, 10:46 PM

snails, crabs, etc.....ya know all the creepy crawly things....

dots · 10/14/2009, 10:47 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074

10/14/2009, 10:22 AM	#1
carlos luis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 29	what should i look for as my cycle progresses and in what order?

10/14/2009, 12:17 PM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Can you tell us a little more about your tank and what you put in it? I ask because people new to the hobby often get confused when they don't see much of a cycle and there are very many factors that can influence this. What "thegrun" said above is accurate but will not be seen under ALL conditions. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/14/2009, 10:18 PM	#5
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	How long has your tank been set up for? Since your rock was out of water for a week you should see a noticeable cycle. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

10/14/2009, 10:46 PM	#7
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	snails, crabs, etc.....ya know all the creepy crawly things.... __________________ ~Doug

10/14/2009, 10:47 PM	#8
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074 __________________ ~Doug

10/14/2009, 10:51 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Ammonia levels will spike and then drop to zero, Nitrite levels will spike and then drop to zero. After the nirtite drops to zero, make a 50% water change and add a clean-up crew. Expect various algae and diatom blooms for the first three months. 6 months for things to truly stabilize.

10/14/2009, 01:10 PM	#4
carlos luis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 29	lordoftehreef, i have a 65gal FOWLR. Everything except for the water came from a previous setup, although the rock was had been 'dry' for about 1 week. The sand remained in buckets with some of the water from the old setup. Guess i missed the ammonia spike cause i now have the algae and diatom blooms. my nitrite is 0 and my nitrate is negligible using AGI testing.