fantastic article @Brew12 i have been preaching cycling with pure ammonia for many many moons. it’s the only sure way to control the cycle. great job!!
Cycling an Aquarium
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Ramsrime
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Great stuff, and I have so much to learn...Q? do you cycle dry rock in RODI water or Saltwater, do you seed with a bacterial solution while you soak them? I assume you'll need circulation and proper temps right?
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
You cycle rocks in salt water at the proper temp and with at least a little flow. The bacterial solution is optional and makes it go more quickly.
And thanks, glad you found it useful!
You do not need to change water. Wait until the main cycle is over. Then you will need to change out a lot of water. You want to get rid of the nitrate bulid up. If too high it can cause unwanted algae. They to shoot for 5ppm nitrate.
Joel Rodriguez
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Thanks for the info
sneakerhead
Active Member
Hello guys! Started a tank after 5 years. its a 20G tank.
Added water, live sand, dry rock, shrimp and Dr Tims one and only 10 days ago.
I turned the protein skimmer on for a few days then turned it off after reading it shouldn't be on during cycle.
Here is a recent picture of my tests. I am not sure why all three of my parameters are sorta high at the same time(ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate)
What do you guys think? From what I read ammonia goes down and nitrites go up and from there eventually nitrates go up.
Added water, live sand, dry rock, shrimp and Dr Tims one and only 10 days ago.
I turned the protein skimmer on for a few days then turned it off after reading it shouldn't be on during cycle.
Here is a recent picture of my tests. I am not sure why all three of my parameters are sorta high at the same time(ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate)
What do you guys think? From what I read ammonia goes down and nitrites go up and from there eventually nitrates go up.
Matt Carden
Valuable Member
Test in 20 days
No need to run the skimmer unless you want to break it in (grow some crud on it so it works better when you need it)
Looks like you are doing fine by your test results. It can take 3 to 8 weeks for your basic cycle to finish. Take out the shrimp. You will see the ammonia go down. With the API test it might not get to "0" as their test kit is not the best. Once it hits as low as it will go, you should see nitrite go up. You can then add a bit more shrimp or some flake food or ammonia drops to feed the ammonia consuming bacteria. Dont get carried away. You want to grow a good size population but they can only eat so much. Nitrite will keep rising. Nitrite is going to sit there seeming like forever. But dont worry. Then bingo it will drop as its converted to nitrate. Those bacteria take a bit longer to grow.
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
My personal feeling is that, unless you plan on going months without adding fish, you should run your tank while cycling the same way you do when you get fish. I feel this is especially important for new reefers. I typically recommend running a skimmer, filter socks, and lights just like you would once you add fish. Practice that maintenance and get in good habits before your fish depend on it!
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
No ammonia, no nitrite, lots of nitrate. Pretty much where you want to be at the end of the cycle. Now would be a good time to do a large water change.This is where I stand now. I started running the skimmer as advised. Any other advice for now?
Water changes should wait correct?
sneakerhead
Active Member
How large of a water change?
OP
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
I would do 50% but you can do smaller or larger. Do you plan on running a refugium or algae turf scrubber?
sneakerhead
Active Member
I have the Red Sea max 20 nano so I’m restricted with what it has in the built in system. It just has a protein skimmer in the refugium and no space for anything else.
OP
OP
Brew12
Electrical Gru
Ok, a larger water change would probably be in your best interest then.
OP
OP
Brew12
Electrical Gru
If your goal is to reduce nutrients then this mix would likely be beneficial. If you are looking to cycle and aquarium than neither of these products would be appropriate.
