Cycle Question please

bavass · Apr 1, 2013

I am on day 11 my Ammonia spiked at 2ppm+ and Nitrites have spiked at 5ppm+ last week. On Thursday before leaving town I did an Ammonia test it was zero, Nitrites were about 2ppm I added a second handful of Freeze Dried Krill. When I returned on Sunday Ammonia was back to zero and nitrites were at .25ppm. Tonight I get home and Ammonia is zero and Nitrites are zero. PO4 is at 12ppb on Hanna 736 .03ppm and NO3 is about 5ppm. I used all dry rock no live rock no live sand. I did add Brightwells MB7 daily. Can my tank really have cycled in 11 days?

Reefing Madness · Apr 1, 2013

Not likely, but you never know. I'd wait another 5, retest then jump in.

bavass · Apr 1, 2013

I think I am going to add more ammonia source and see what I have in a few days

ahtatt · Apr 1, 2013

Reefing Madness said:
Not likely, but you never know. I'd wait another 5, retest then jump in.

+1

I would wait a little longer just to be safe

Reefing Madness · Apr 1, 2013

I wouldn't add anymore amomonia. Give it a few more days, then the ammonia you add may be one fish.

bavass · Apr 2, 2013

I will be adding some CUC to the tank first to start pooing in the sand bed and start getting it ready to handle fish. Probably a few snails and hermits not many at first

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beaslbob · Apr 2, 2013

bavass said:
I am on day 11 my Ammonia spiked at 2ppm+ and Nitrites have spiked at 5ppm+ last week. On Thursday before leaving town I did an Ammonia test it was zero, Nitrites were about 2ppm I added a second handful of Freeze Dried Krill. When I returned on Sunday Ammonia was back to zero and nitrites were at .25ppm. Tonight I get home and Ammonia is zero and Nitrites are zero. PO4 is at 12ppb on Hanna 736 .03ppm and NO3 is about 5ppm. I used all dry rock no live rock no live sand. I did add Brightwells MB7 daily. Can my tank really have cycled in 11 days?

FWIW thos values and times do not seem all that out of line.

But that does not mean you can add fish and not experience more parameter spikes. So take is slowly and don't add food for a week after adding a fish.

I am also a big fan of plant life such as macro and other algaes. They will consume an ammonia spike directly prevent the dangerous spikes.

my .02

bavass · Apr 2, 2013

I have an area in my sump for macro's. i was running Mangroves, grape cal, had some halmidia in as well. I think this time i am going to try some cheato, and ulva since pods love it

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beaslbob · Apr 2, 2013

bavass said:
I have an area in my sump for macro's. i was running Mangroves, grape cal, had some halmidia in as well. I think this time i am going to try some cheato, and ulva since pods love it

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good for you.

It also could be why things are progressing nicely.

Could be time for some initial fish.

my .02

bavass · Apr 2, 2013

well after adding more Krill last night tonight the Ammonia and Nitrites are zero

Reefing Madness · Apr 2, 2013

Time for a CUC. =)

bavass · Apr 2, 2013

Yep looking at Reefcleaners.org now

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Reefing Madness · Apr 2, 2013

Squishie89 · Apr 2, 2013

I want to commend you on taking it slow. I know it is hard, but it is worth it. Good luck!!

bavass · Apr 2, 2013

Thanks! It is very hard to take it slow especially since this is a rebuild and i am use to seeing life in the tank!

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bavass · Apr 3, 2013

So after looking at reefcleaners.org i think i am going to go with the 25g package minus the Nass Vibex snails for my 55 to start out with. In a few months i will order another 25-30g package and the Nass Vibex. I am going to also get a handful of Cheato for my sump

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souk · Apr 3, 2013

Squishie89 said:
I want to commend you on taking it slow. I know it is hard, but it is worth it. Good luck!!

I second what squishie89 said

bavass · Apr 3, 2013

Big water change done! PO4 is at .04 NO3 is 2ppm. I will test Ammonia, Nitrite tomorrow along with PO4 and NO3 again to see of they are rising. Not running any GFO so I can see if rock is leaching. If it is then I will crank up the GFO reactor or is it better to let the algae use it up?