Cycling advice

serenitynow2010 · 07/24/2010, 11:03 PM

My 39gal tank has been up and running for 3 weeks. I have about 25lbs live rock, 40lbs dry rock, and live sand bed (and no fish). 2 weeks ago I started a pure ammonia cycle method.

On July 13th I added 1tsp of ammonia and got a reading of 4ppm an hour later.

On the 3rd day the ammonia was 0 and Nitrites were 0.25.

I proceeded to add 1/4tsp ammonia a day for the next 5 days. during this time I was getting 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites so on the 9th day I added 1/2 tsp.

The next 2 days my ammonia was 0 and nitrites were 0.25, so I added 1/4tsp each day.

Today my ammonia is at 0.25, Nitrites 0, and I decided to test Nitrates and it was at 40.

So I am not seeing much happening except for Nitrates.

Should I just wait it out? Keep adding small amounts of ammonia or ???

Thanks

Tuscaquatics · 07/24/2010, 11:07 PM

Nah, stop with the ammonia. You've got it going. Wait until your ammonia gets to zero and stays there for a couple days, then start adding your clean up crew, as algae is coming very soon.

mike_cmu04 · 07/24/2010, 11:40 PM

If you had cured live rock and live sand you probably had a small quick cycle you should be good to start adding things after a waterchange

tspors · 07/25/2010, 09:36 AM

Stop adding chemicals. Wait it out 2 months since your set-up. Then add CUC only. After another month add some coral. Wait 4 months for fish, you will have no issues. A patience start is the key long term success. Or you can rush and we will wait to answer the implosion posts. Good Luck.

James404 · 07/25/2010, 09:41 AM

I wouldve just used the raw shrimp cycling method but its possible your cycle is already over. I would continue testing for a week or two and then add your CUC. Wait another week or two and add your first corals. If those do well you can continue by slowly adding livestock. Waiting 5 months to add fish is a little excessive IMO.

tspors · 07/25/2010, 09:43 AM

What's 5 months to a long term hobby?

07/24/2010, 11:03 PM	#1
serenitynow2010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 39	Cycling advice My 39gal tank has been up and running for 3 weeks. I have about 25lbs live rock, 40lbs dry rock, and live sand bed (and no fish). 2 weeks ago I started a pure ammonia cycle method. On July 13th I added 1tsp of ammonia and got a reading of 4ppm an hour later. On the 3rd day the ammonia was 0 and Nitrites were 0.25. I proceeded to add 1/4tsp ammonia a day for the next 5 days. during this time I was getting 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites so on the 9th day I added 1/2 tsp. The next 2 days my ammonia was 0 and nitrites were 0.25, so I added 1/4tsp each day. Today my ammonia is at 0.25, Nitrites 0, and I decided to test Nitrates and it was at 40. So I am not seeing much happening except for Nitrates. Should I just wait it out? Keep adding small amounts of ammonia or ??? Thanks

07/25/2010, 09:36 AM	#4
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	Stop adding chemicals. Wait it out 2 months since your set-up. Then add CUC only. After another month add some coral. Wait 4 months for fish, you will have no issues. A patience start is the key long term success. Or you can rush and we will wait to answer the implosion posts. Good Luck. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

07/25/2010, 09:41 AM	#5
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	I wouldve just used the raw shrimp cycling method but its possible your cycle is already over. I would continue testing for a week or two and then add your CUC. Wait another week or two and add your first corals. If those do well you can continue by slowly adding livestock. Waiting 5 months to add fish is a little excessive IMO. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

07/25/2010, 09:43 AM	#6
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	What's 5 months to a long term hobby? __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
In need of cycling advice....	scottapreston	New to the Hobby	5	01/25/2010 06:39 PM
75G Drained and moved - now cycling - advice?	jayray	Reef Discussion	0	12/25/2009 01:47 PM
New tank. Cycle advice/tips.	UWUALineman	New to the Hobby	2	01/19/2009 07:15 PM
3 weeks into cycle......advice please	schigara	New to the Hobby	20	09/06/2007 12:52 PM
Upgrade tank cycle advice	lsvagabond	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	4	03/03/2007 07:33 AM

07/24/2010, 11:07 PM	#2
Tuscaquatics Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,324	Nah, stop with the ammonia. You've got it going. Wait until your ammonia gets to zero and stays there for a couple days, then start adding your clean up crew, as algae is coming very soon.

07/24/2010, 11:40 PM	#3
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	If you had cured live rock and live sand you probably had a small quick cycle you should be good to start adding things after a waterchange