Cycle and Wave Maker Question

[woodyetia]

Hi guys again getting back into hobby after being out for 10 years a lot has changed lol.

So been trying to cycle for over two weeks with live sand and dry base rock. My ammonia hasn’t spiked it really hasn’t changed at all and is pretty much 0 am I doing something wrong?

Now for my other question my jebao scp-70m just arrived and got it all connected to WiFi etc. how should I angle it for the output? I have it at a slight angle about 6 inches bellow rim. Should I raise it closer to the top? Also what modes does everyone use? Hopefully this helps with water flow even though nothing in it yet.

thanks in advance

 

[Jekyl]

Have you added any sort of ammonia or bacteria to the system?
I run my jebao about a third of the way down slightly upward on else mode

 

[woodyetia]

I have not added anything to the tank only live sand I was told that has bacteria in it and would start the cycle?

 

[Azedenkae]

I have not added anything to the tank only live sand I was told that has bacteria in it and would start the cycle?

Nitrifying microbes in live sand are needed for the cycle, yes, so that is a good start. But they don't produce ammonia, they consume it. So you need to introduce ammonia some way. A lot of people add a shrimp or similar, or ghostfeed. I used to do that, but have switched to instead dosing pure ammonia to get to desirable ammonia concentrations and be a lot more controlled, as opposed to adding a shrimp or ghostfeeding.

 

[woodyetia]

Yesterday I added a 2oz of Dr Tims Ammonia and Dr Times One and Only per my LFS. 24 hours later I test and ammonia is at 8, Nitrate and Nitrites have also moved up so seems its working. He told me once my Ammonia is down to zero im good to start adding a couple of items at a time. Again its a 65 Gallon. Thank you all for advice etc, its been a while LOL. I found out today that the live rock you buy today isn't the same as the live rock I use to buy 15 years ago. Not going to have the brittle worms, critters, etc. I was told

 

[woodyetia]

This is what my numbers are now just waiting for the ammonia to drop to zero. I might do a small water change tomorrow as my salts a little high. Should I add anything else?

 

[woodyetia]

This is today’s test. What next in everyone’s opinion?

 

[Jekyl]

Looks like your cycle is complete. To be safe I would dose to 2ppm ammonia. Test tomorrow and see if it zeros out. If so do a large water change and get some life in there.

 

[Azedenkae]

Looks like your cycle is complete. To be safe I would dose to 2ppm ammonia. Test tomorrow and see if it zeros out. If so do a large water change and get some life in there.

Yeah agreed, to be safe dose 2ppm ammonia and see if it zeros out in 24 hours. Personally I would also want nitrite to zero out in 24 hours, but that's me.

 

[woodyetia]

Thanks for the advice. LFS thinks I’m ready as well it’s been a long 3 weeks. Taking water for them to test.

 

[Desperado Lucky]

It looks close, but also looks like some nitrite still there which may be impacting your nitrate tests. Is live rock currently in the tank? I couldn’t tell if it was just sand and probably a dumb question as you have previous experience. If you’re going to be adding fish, I’m sure you know, but hardier types will be best to start just in case (clowns, damsel, chromis). Good luck! Adding livestock is the most fun part, then there is the hopefully years long stress of keeping them that way!

 

[woodyetia]

Well I’m going to wait my Ammonia was 0 but my nitrites are way too high they said. I forgot how hard it is to read the test colors LOL. I’d rather wait another few days to make sure.

 

[woodyetia]

Results, my LFS says to wait for the Nitrite and Nitrate to go down, they are also having me add MicroBacter 7. I only have live sand about 60lbs and about 40lbs of base and 20 of live so only cycling with that. Any thoughts or advice? They said come back for a test Saturday as the levels should be stable.

 

[woodyetia]

And we wait lol.

 

[brandon429]

Your tank is cycled buy nothing, it’s ready.

to save retyping answers on nitrite, base timing rules and redundant purchases at lfs:

How to unstick any seemingly stuck cycle

Updated Cycling Science in Action This is a testless reef tank cycling thread, the only one from any board. If you ever had trouble with reef tank cycling in the past, you won't any longer after working some jobs with us. chances are you are using/about to use a method of reef tank cycling...

www.reef2reef.com

all that above isn’t even factoring what twenty pounds of cycled live rock does, you’re doubly ready. Read all of post #1 to answer all q’s already typed out.

 

[Desperado Lucky]

Yeah, it’s not the gratifying answer but likely the right one, at least until nitrites zero out.

 

[Lerequin]

Now for my other question my jebao scp-70m just arrived and got it all connected to WiFi etc. how should I angle it for the output?

Hi there. I keep my Jebao SCP-70m vertical and close to the water surface so it makes some turbulences. Is yours loud? Mine makes a whining noise which is quite annoying. The Jebao SLW-10 is barely audible so I wonder if something is wrong with the SCP-70 or it is the way it is.

 

[Auquanut]

Results, my LFS says to wait for the Nitrite and Nitrate to go down, they are also having me add MicroBacter 7. I only have live sand about 60lbs and about 40lbs of base and 20 of live so only cycling with that. Any thoughts or advice? They said come back for a test Saturday as the levels should be stable.

It's refreshing to hear about an LFS that is willing to keep to the cautious side instead of trying to sell you a tank and fish on the same day. Sounds like someone you can trust in the long term.