Cycleing Help

olsinc · Nov 15, 2011

Hey Everyone,
I have a cycle question. If you started to do the cycle process 3 days ago on a 55 gallon and started a cycle on a 10 gallon Nano 2 weeks ago and have not got any Amonnia yet on eather one, What is going on? I have been Ghost Feeding on both and still no Amonnia. The readings are Amonnia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 1. Salinity 1.026. My question is has this already cycled and I didn't know it? HMMMMMMM....
I have 12 lbs of Live Rock and 20 lbs of Live Sand in the 10 Gallon. And I have 80 lbs of Live rock and 110 lbs of live sand in the 55 gallon display with 20 lbs of live rock in the 10 gallon sump.
I do know Coraline is really growing super fast. Last night I notice a start of Coraline and now it has spread from a half inch spot to about 2 inches. Glad to see this finally start up.... Any advice will be welcomed. Thanks

Dowtish · Nov 15, 2011

Where did the sand and rock come from? Where they in an established tank when you got it?

olsinc · Nov 15, 2011

We bought the Sand from our Reef Store along with a pound of established Sand. The Rock also came from the same location that they have a located in a cureing tank. We transported all the Live rock in containers with the same water as they were in so we wouldn't loose much life. When we put the rock in our tanks it was already filled with Water and the sand.

Steven R · Nov 15, 2011

sometimes a tank can do a mini cycle before having a big swing in ammonia then nitrite then nitrate witch is the end of the cycle for breaking down each chemical done by the bacteria there just might not be enough for you to notice yet. but with all of the live sand and rock in both you should have a short cycle period. I would still give it about 2 weeks before putting in any valued fish or any inverts for the reason that the water is not yet stable enough. after and if you do have a swing in chemicals ( ex ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) I would let it run the course till both ammonia and nitrite read immeasurable then do a 40 to 50% water change with water that has been mixed for no less then 2 hours to match temp, PH, salinity and gas equilibrium. I would do this water change before putting any fish or inverts in and see how the system handles it. hopefully this helps good luck

Dowtish · Nov 15, 2011

Go to the grocery store and get a couple of shrimp from the seafood section. put them in your tanks and let them rot. You should be able to tell if you have the right amount of beneficial bacteria by how fast the ammonia breaks down.

olsinc · Nov 15, 2011

Thank You for all the input. I'll try and do the Shrimp part today to try and spike my amonnia. The good thing is I have alot of time and patience for this. I have really learned from the past. I made the same mistake alot of people have in the past. I wanted everything in their in a hurry not realizing the damage that was being made. So now 3 years later I'm back into the Hobby but doing it the right way.

Dowtish · Nov 15, 2011

Awesome! nothing good happens in this hobby quickly.

olsinc · Nov 15, 2011

Does anyone know if I should Cycle with the lights off or On? Or does it matter? Thanks.

subielover · Nov 15, 2011

No need to waste electricity, keep them off. It will also help to avoid algae growth while nutrient levels spike. I would run the lights in the refugium if you have one.

beaslbob · Nov 15, 2011

olsinc said:
Does anyone know if I should Cycle with the lights off or On? Or does it matter? Thanks.

Lights on (normal duration) and it does matter.

the main thing with rock is the algae on the rock. the same effect as starting the tank with macro algaes (in a refugium or no).

the algae consums ammonia not taken care of by the bacteria. Preventing the ammonia spikes.

then as the aerobic bacteria build up and consume the ammonia, the algae is forced to get its nitrogen from nitrAtes instead.

so with enough algae is it possible and expected that all you may get is an initial nitrate spike the drops down in a couple of weeks.

But remember it is important to keep the bioload low for things to adjust. so add fish slowly and don't feed that first fish for the first week. After that feed lightly.

my .02

olsinc · Nov 15, 2011

I've heard that if you run the Lights during a cycle they will Inhibit Bacteria Growth. Is this true?

olsinc · Nov 16, 2011

Good Evening Everyone,
I have been trying to get a cycle going now for going on 3 weeks for the 10 gal Nano and 4 days on my 55 Gal. I've been Ghost feeding both tanks and no luck yet on Ammonia. I thought it might have been the Test Kit so I went back last night and bought another one. Still the same readings. So I made a trip to Northside Aquatics to have them test the water for me and still the same results, No Ammonia. No Nitrites and No Nitrates.
Can anyone tell me whats going on here? Shouldn't I be seeing some kind of reading?

olsinc · Nov 17, 2011

Good Morning Everyone,
Well here's an update on my Cycleing. I have been ghost feeding for a while. I tested my 2 tanks and right now the Ammonia has gone from 0 yesterday to 0.25 today. YAY! I'm on my way! I have noticed that the food is starting to be eatin up by the Bacteria. Good times are on the way!