Cycling my tank!

[SirKevinD]

Hey everyone. Doing a fish less cycle on my new 60G cube. I used 60lbs of AragAlive live sand special grade, 65-70lbs of dry rock and two bottles of bio spira. I'm on day 5 of cycling and I think ammonia is 0.25 nitrites are 0 and nitrates are 0. I've included a picture of the ammonia test. Please give me your opinions on of I can add some fish. Also, if no it's not cycled, how can I hurry the process?

 

[beaslbob]

IME typical of the API ammonia test. Had the reading in my old 55g for 8+ years. things were fine.

my .02

 

[SirKevinD]

Beaslbob, I have a 46G bowfront and it tests this color at all times too. Thanks for your two cents . Anyone else?

 

[SirKevinD]

This is the reading I just took off my 46G bowfront.

 

[beaslbob]

That one's closer to 0.0.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

The live rock you put in, was It already cured an established? If so, you could probably go ahead and add fish with no adverse affects as long as you add slowly. Don't add 10 fish at one time or anything.

The live sand won't be of much benefit right off, but if you bought live rock that was in a display tank or something, you are about good to go. However, if the live rock is uncured, then don't add anything yet as you will have large spike.

What filtration are you running?

 

[SirKevinD]

Its dry rock. Filtration is a filter sock in my sump. Bubble magus curve 5 skimmer, which I'm not using atm. I also have a BRS reactor running carbon and phosban.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Ok, then that will need to cycle. Seachem makes a great product too called Stability. You add it everyday for a few weeks and I does a really good job.

You will see you ammonia go up in a bit, but you will have to add some type of food to the equation to break down to start the cycle.

 

[SirKevinD]

I put a shrimp in and let it dissolve. I'm testing 0.25 ammonia, 2-4ppm of nitrites and 20ppm of nitrate. Does that sound like its cycling properly.

 

[Mauger's Reef]

I would turn the skimmer on and reactors off. Going a little heavier on the water changes will help a lil. Most important be patient and take your time. Happy reefing.

 

[MSD60178]

I would dich the API test kits and spend a little more for the Red Sea one or one of the other better brands I used API when I was new and would never get consitant readings. Now with the live sand and dry rock you may not even cycle(a true cycle) as with the dry rock there nothing on the rock to die off and start a cycle and the live sand should already have all the bacteria in it, that being said slow and steady wins the race take you time as soon as you think your ready to add a fish wait another week. or if your like I was and couldn't wait to get something that moved around in my 1st tank I started with a few hermits and would toss a little flak food in once a week or so for them to chow on. But the best advice I ever got when starting out and can give you or anyone is take your time.