Cycled or not?

[rja]

Hey guys,
My new system was started with MB Start XLM, a few pounds of ocean rock, and some added ammonia. I have nitrates now but I never invested in a real ammonia test. Only the API which is just pure garbage. I am getting diatoms which are 100% not associated with the new cycle itself, if I recall. But it is a nice sign of life. Do you guys think I am ready for a tester fish or what? About 3PPM NO3.

I will likely start with a Royal Gramma or Court Jester Goby because I already have clowns in my established reef that Ill transfer over after seeing good results with the first fish. Potentially a Springeri Damsel because I can literally get them for $10 and hear they are quite polite damsels.

 

[csturgis1989]

How long has it been running?

 

[rja]

How long has it been running?

whole tank has been up for a month but i added the microbacter two weeks ago and the ocean rock last week. api test is giving me the standard api mountain dew color. maybe ill test my current running tank and see what the api test says and if i get same color results then id say cycled.

 

[csturgis1989]

It’s probably cycled then with that amount of time and since you dosed ammonia at the start. Your plan of adding one fish is a good idea since you don’t want to overload a newly established system.

 

[Garf]

whole tank has been up for a month but i added the microbacter two weeks ago and the ocean rock last week. api test is giving me the standard api mountain dew color. maybe ill test my current running tank and see what the api test says and if i get same color results then id say cycled.

Yes, that would be interesting, photos of the tanks in question and the resultant ammonia test vials would be good.

 

[jda]

Cycled, as in done? No. Is it to a place in the first stage of the cycle where you can smartly and slowly add some fish? Most likely.

The ocean rock can process some ammonia and some nitrite quite well. It is not likely spread to every surface to be dynamic enough to call the tank fully cycled where it could withstand some huge issue like an accidental dump of too much food.

As long as you are smart and have some patience, everything should progress well.