Am I done cycling

[rooneyj889]

Hey all, I've had my 75g tank cycling for about a week and a half by this point. I dosed with stability at first and then at the recommendation of someone here on R2R I tried Bio Spira. Anyways, I tested my water today and it looks like i'm at 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and a little over 10 nitrate. I don't know if it's done cycling cause that seems incredibly fast but i'm planning on letting the tank sit for another week or two before introducing a Clean Up Crew. I've also attached photos of the tests in case i'm missing something hahahaha

NOTE: I do have a bio load of 2 clownfish and 1 royal gramma in the tank as the lfs recommended a fish in cycle and, as this is my first tank, I followed what they were saying

 

[MnFish1]

I dont know about bivospira - but I believe according to the directions - you can add livestock immediately with stability. So - A clean up crew isn't going to be hurt - BUT - they will need something to 'clean up' or they will starve

 

[Cell]

Bio Spira works well. You should be good to go, just start slow. The safest route would be to dose ammonia and test 24 hrs later but from personal experience, I trust Bio-Spira.

 

[Cell]

I dont consider Stability to be an "instant-cycle" type product that Bio-Spira is.

 

[terraincognita]

Did you add a source of ammonia after you added the cycle boosters?

If you're producing Nitrate and Nitrite the tank is technically "cycled"

the Cycle refers to simply the initial formation of BB to turn ammonia into Nitrates and then Nitrite.

The colony of BB will gradually build as the tank matures.

But the second you have any, you technically can follow up with a bio load equivalent to the size of BB.

Also realize that if you starve the BB completely for too long, you're going to go backwards.

You can't have ammonia converting BB without ammonia.

in fact.

If you read this and clear up all the big words, you should be able to never have to ask this question again

Beginner: The Nitrification Cycle and New Tank Syndrome(

users.cs.duke.edu

Not that we mind answering at all, feel free to ask, but once you know, you know.

 

[rooneyj889]

Did you add a source of ammonia after you added the cycle boosters?

If you're producing Nitrate and Nitrite the tank is technically "cycled"

the Cycle refers to simply the initial formation of BB to turn ammonia into Nitrates and then Nitrite.

The colony of BB will gradually build as the tank matures.

But the second you have any, you technically can follow up with a bio load equivalent to the size of BB.

Also realize that if you starve the BB completely for too long, you're going to go backwards.

You can't have ammonia converting BB without ammonia.

I already have a bio load of 2 clowns and a royal gramma in the tank and have had them the entire cycle as unfortunately that's what the lfs recommended.

 

[terraincognita]

I already have a bio load of 2 clowns and a royal gramma in the tank and have had them the entire cycle as unfortunately that's what the lfs recommended.

Lol if you can keep fish alive for longer than a week, you're tank is cycled IMO.

Some people think that it's not mature enough and you're bound for an ammonia spike. But I think that's only if your husbandry and feeding habits are bad.

BB will grow over time. Dont increase the bioload to quick and you'll keep humming along just fine.

 

[rooneyj889]

I dont know about bivospira - but I believe according to the directions - you can add livestock immediately with stability. So - A clean up crew isn't going to be hurt - BUT - they will need something to 'clean up' or they will starve

Yeah I don't really have any algae or anything in the tank as of now because I haven't turned on the lights yet at all.

 

[terraincognita]

Yeah I don't really have any algae or anything in the tank as of now because I haven't turned on the lights yet at all.

Algae blooms and "the ugly phase" are not an indicator that you should rely on.

I've bypassed them at least twice in my recent tank escapades. Leave the lights off til you add coral and you'll do even better.

No reason for lights if no coral.

 

[Arabyps]

Have you taken the time to review the many videos on YouTube regarding cycling? Dosing with Stability and no ammonia producing organisms in the tank... what do you expect? Please take a moment to give yourself at least a rudimentary education before posting.

 

[rooneyj889]

Algae blooms and "the ugly phase" are not an indicator that you should rely on.

I've bypassed them at least twice in my recent tank escapades. Leave the lights off til you add coral and you'll do even better.

No reason for lights if no coral.

Yes I know that but I don't want to put a clean up crew in the tank if there's really nothing to clean up.

 

[rooneyj889]

Have you taken the time to review the many videos on YouTube regarding cycling? Dosing with Stability and no ammonia producing organisms in the tank... what do you expect? Please take a moment to give yourself at least a rudimentary education before posting.

What? I said that there are 2 clowns and a royal gramma in the tank. I have given myself a rudimentary education.

 

[Arabyps]

What? I said that there are 2 clowns and a royal gramma in the tank. I have given myself a rudimentary education.

Sorry. Your OP didn't stipulate that. Given that and since you have schooled yourself, I think you have answered your question.

 

[rooneyj889]

Sorry. Your OP didn't stipulate that. Given that and since you have schooled yourself, I think you have answered your question.

Yes I have but I was just confused because this seems like a very short amount of time for a cycle so I was asking for a second opinion.

 

[terraincognita]

Yes I have but I was just confused because this seems like a very short amount of time for a cycle so I was asking for a second opinion.

By using a bio filter booster you sped it along.

also keeping the lights off was smart. Have you ever done that before?

based on the newness of the tank, I gurantee if you turn your lights on for 6 hours for 2 days you’ll give yourself something for a CUC.

 

[Cell]

Your living fish are proof you are cycled.

 

[rooneyj889]

By using a bio filter booster you sped it along.

also keeping the lights off was smart. Have you ever done that before?

based on the newness of the tank, I gurantee if you turn your lights on for 6 hours for 2 days you’ll give yourself something for a CUC.

This is my first tank but I just was suggested to leave the lights off for a little while so I don't get a huge algae bloom.

 

[terraincognita]

This is my first tank but I just was suggested to leave the lights off for a little while so I don't get a huge algae bloom.

Sounds like whoever you get advice from is smart.