Cycling help

ReefChef19 · Sep 29, 2019

Ok guys I need your help. I started my cycle almost 2 months ago using bio spira and dr.tims ammonia. I tested it tonight and the ammonia is at about 2ppm which I did about 3 days ago, it's not going down. I have some more bio spira on the way coming tomorrow. My question is should I add that and maybe a piece of live rock. Please let me know your thoughts, and yes im a proud rookie!!! Thank you in advance good the help.

Sumbub · Sep 29, 2019

Did you have any sand or live/dead rock in the tank? Did you test for nitrite and nitrate?

ReefChef19 · Sep 29, 2019

I used live sand and all dead rock. I have not tested the nitrites and nitrates lately I'll do that after work tomorrow.

BayouReefer · Sep 29, 2019

Have you seen your nitrites increase? And yes if you have a piece of live rock with established beneficial bacteria that will help. If your tank cycle is progressing it will be converting ammonia into nitrites. Then once Nitrites peak start watching your Nitrates.

ReefChef19 · Sep 29, 2019

I went ahead and did the test, I'm up anyway! If im reading this correct. I got a bit worried when I saw the ammonia sitting the same for 3 days, that's why I thought maybe a little kick would help. Thank you guys for the help.

Nitrites - .25ppm
Nitrates - 60ppm

Sumbub · Sep 29, 2019

Just a heads up, you read the color from the top of the tube looking down, not the side. I made that mistake for a long time.

Those numbers are telling you that the cycle is working. Is the dead rock used to be live rock or is it the pre fab dead rocks? If it used to be live rock, sometimes the cycle may take a bit longer. I took 3 months before adding anything going the dead live rock.

ReefChef19 · Sep 29, 2019

Thank you for the heads up! the rock did used to be live rock at one point, then I nuked it. At this point would you add anymore bio spira? I do plan on picking up a piece of live rock to put in the sump just to try to help it out. Thank you for your help.

Chewbacca · Sep 29, 2019

Sorry to say. But the api lame testers you read from the side against a white background as per directions in good lighting conditions. Correct me if I’m wrong but no worries you’re tank is cycling. Good luck

Idoc · Sep 29, 2019

ReefChef19 said:
Thank you for the heads up! the rock did used to be live rock at one point, then I nuked it. At this point would you add anymore bio spira? I do plan on picking up a piece of live rock to put in the sump just to try to help it out. Thank you for your help.

My guess is that since you nuked the previously live rock, it probably had a bunch of organics in it that was breaking down to ammonia... and then you added additional ammonia from Dr Tim's. The nitrates present show your bacteria are working their tales off to convert all that ammonia you started with... but it takes time to get the bacteria that breaks it down to replicate. Some cycles stall if the ammonia is over 5ppm... which may have happened a little with yours possibly since it is taking so long. A tank will cycle in 30 days if just left alone with a small ammonia boost at the beginning.

A little more BioSpira or adding a cycled live rock will help you get it going along nicely. I wouldn't add any more ammonia sources though.

Sumbub · Sep 29, 2019

Chewbacca said:
Sorry to say. But the api lame testers you read from the side against a white background as per directions in good lighting conditions. Correct me if I’m wrong but no worries you’re tank is cycling. Good luck

You could be right. Their directions aren’t clear if it’s from the top or side. They just say against a white background in well lit area.