Cycling Question

[linkedsilas]

Ive read several sites on cycling but still had some questions.
My water and live rock are in the tank. They have been in there for about 3 weeks
At this point I am just circulating the water.My water temp will be about 86 degrees?
I am planning on starting the cycle by adding in a pinch of food every day.
So basically, I am going to test the water until my results produce 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia correct?
My question is in the meantime do I ever turn on the skimmer? And do I really just actually have to wait? Adding nothing...changing nothing etc

[linkedsilas]

sorry for the double post !!! I dont know how to delete this

[Mrramsey]

No harm in running the skimmer. 86 degrees is way too warm. Most people stay around 78-80. 82 is getting into the upper limits.

Depending on how much live rock you have you may not see a large cycle. You can test the cycle by adding pure ammonia until you hit about 2 ppm. If the ammonia reads 0ppm 24 hrs later the cycle is already going.

[Nglw]

Hi Linkedsilas, you got the right idea about cycling. You won't need to use your skimmer at first and there's no point changing any water. Keep an eye on your perameters - it's a good idea to write down what each test reads and what date you tested.
The skimmer skims proteins out of the water but since you won't have any significant bioload from fish/corals etc, the skimmer won't do too much. Once the tank has cycled, you could then do a small water change before adding you first fishes.

[SwampyBill]

No need to run the skimmer during cycle. & I agree w/ others, 86 degrees is way too warm. 76--80 is the norm temperature. You can ghost feed or drop a raw peeled shrimp in your tank & test water parameters. When ammonia & nitrites have gone down to 0, & nitrates have spiked, do about a 20% water change then you're good to add CUC. Wait another week or two, then you're good to add a fish. Welcome to Reef Central & good luck!

[oh207]

Waiting is the most important part of this process.

[linkedsilas]

Thanks guys, it seemed way too simple to cycle a tank and not do anything but let itself sort it out its own with the chemistry

[bnumair]

i would run all equipment at all times, let them break it in and let the tank run in harmony. skimmers need 1-2 months to break in and work properly. temp is on the high side bring it down a bit.

The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.

No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C)

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C)

[jrozzi]

Originally Posted by bnumair

i would run all equipment at all times, let them break it in and let the tank run in harmony. skimmers need 1-2 months to break in and work properly. temp is on the high side bring it down a bit.

The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.

No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C)

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C)

so is there no bacteria in the arctic?

[bnumair]

there are warm pockets of water in any part of ocean, sometime deep near sand beds or volcanic layers of rock, maybe on the surface where temps are not favorable yes there probably is no bacteria but deep within temp range ,yes there is.
Also ocean water is not still or confined in a small glass box, its not a closed system. ocean waters run in channels from north to south east to west mixing and getting cleaned by bacteria all around the world.
this is why after dumping millions of gal or oil in freight accidents ocean life still manages to keep thriving. (controversial statement but its still hanging in.)

[jrozzi]

hmmm so no waste gets broke down unless it drifts into a warm pocket with bacteria in it?

[bnumair]

Originally Posted by jrozzi

hmmm so no waste gets broke down unless it drifts into a warm pocket with bacteria in it?

theoretically correct. Also in ocean life someones waste is others food.

[SwampyBill]

Originally Posted by bnumair

...this is why after dumping millions of gal or oil in freight accidents ocean life still manages to keep thriving. (controversial statement but its still hanging in.)

Do you happen to work for BP or Exxon...? I wouldn't consider Gulf shrimp w/ tumors & blisters, or bald eagles not being able to raise young barely out of the egg to be thriving...

[bnumair]

Originally Posted by SwampyBill

Do you happen to work for BP or Exxon...? I wouldn't consider Gulf shrimp w/ tumors & blisters, or bald eagles not being able to raise young barely out of the egg to be thriving...

i think u missed the part in brackets "(controversial statement but its still hanging in.)"
we havent lost everything in the oceans so it boils down to if you look at the cup half full or half empty.

[SwampyBill]

Nah, I saw it...Being from sw Louisiana & having family in shrimp/seafood business that have lost just about everything after BP spill, guess I'm of the 'half empty' crowd.

[bnumair]

Originally Posted by SwampyBill

Nah, I saw it...Being from sw Louisiana & having family in shrimp/seafood business that have lost just about everything after BP spill, guess I'm of the 'half empty' crowd.

i agree with you and pray for your family's business and prosperity.

[linkedsilas]

So, its day 4 of pinching in some food and so far everything has remained perfect parameters. I am skeptical

[asudavew]

How large is the tank?

Don't be afraid to add more food or a shrimp as suggested earlier.

Are you testing for ammonia?

[linkedsilas]

yes, i am testing the ammonia and its 0