cycling question

bigfoot86 · Apr 26, 2013

So I've had my 90 gal tank with the 30 fuge running for 3 weeks now and I haven't tested any spike in ammonia yet. I tried to seed it with a couple small pieces of live rock and about 6 lbs of live rubble/rock which is sitting in the fuge area. Also I dropped a raw shrimp in there after only 1 week of it running. My question is when do most start seeing some kind of spike in ammonia? I thought I would have seen something. Of course I didn't start testing it till about 2 weeks in. Not sure if it's possible I missed it, but I doubt it.

SloppyJ · Apr 26, 2013

Have you tested for nitrates or nitrites?

KingOfPain86 · Apr 26, 2013

Take your time. I have a 55. I never saw the ammonia spike or anything else. 4 months after I started the tank every thing went insane. Just cuz you didn't see it doesn't mean it won't happen. Trust me its better to wait. It will save you $$ in the long run.

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larangcon · Apr 26, 2013

Start slowly, most of us when we start a tank and the params are ok we tend to add more bio load in the tank, start buying more fish and corals, tank start to look good and we buy more and we did not realized the beneficial bac. could catch up with the load and next thing you know, you have a super duper spike in your hand. So start slow, give it ample time before buying or adding that one more fish or coral. Its hard to control the urge to buy... I still unable to control the urge to buy more...:sad:

Reefing Madness · Apr 26, 2013

If you used Fully Cured Live Rock you will not see a spike of anything, as it aslready contains the necessary bacteria to accommodate life.

bigfoot86 · Apr 26, 2013

I did not test for nitrites or nitrates. I was gonna give it a couple months anyways before I threw the first fish in. Thought that the raw shrimp, which decade a week ago, would have spiked the ammonia a bit.

bigfoot86 · Apr 26, 2013

Thank you for the information!

mike007 · Apr 26, 2013

+ 1 i agree with the proper amount of good cured rock you will probaly not have a spike. I have never cycled a tank when i use the proper amount of rock. Just take it slow on adding your livestock so the tank can acclimate to your new additions. Test,test and that will help you now what is going on with your water parameters. Good luck and keep on reefin.

bigfoot86 · Apr 27, 2013

Thank you, I did test for nitrites and that came up zero so I'm thinking it didn't even start to cycle yet. I actually used 70 lbs of BRS reefsaver rock with about 8 to 10 lbs of true live rock and 6 lbs of live rock rubble. I just thought with the big raw shrimp I threw in a week and a half ago that already decayed, I would have test something. But I will continue to wait for another 6 weeks at least before I throw anytype of livestock in.

Reefing Madness · Apr 27, 2013

Strange that you've not seen something by now. Be your on a good course by waiting this one out, ya got to much dry rock there that needs bacteria.

Jlobes · Apr 27, 2013

have you tested nitrates? i realize you said you tested nitrites... but those would be low/close to zero if your not testing regularly.

this is one of the reasons i like to use a form of ammonia that is measurable. Like liquid ammoniun chloride. I add the required amount. wait a bit. test the water and can see the spike...test again in 24 hours. and again in 12-24 hours if the test does not register zero. Once the bacteria is used up in a 24 hour period...you know the tank is capable of using/converting the ammonia.

bigfoot86 · Apr 28, 2013

Would it help if I added a few more live rocks to the tank? Or would you recommend just dosing some ammonia? And what type of ammonia? Household ammonia?

bigfoot86 · Apr 28, 2013

Another question is how quick can the ammonia spike come on and go away?

Reefing Madness · Apr 28, 2013

You could add more Live ROck to the tank, others would add Ammonia, I'd just leave it, you've already thrown in a shrimp. And your question is a tough one to answer, everyones tank is different, and will cycle differently. So an Ammonia spike could come and go in a 24hr period. There are those that never see it.

Jlobes · Apr 28, 2013

Reefing Madness said:
You could add more Live ROck to the tank, others would add Ammonia, I'd just leave it, you've already thrown in a shrimp. And your question is a tough one to answer, everyones tank is different, and will cycle differently. So an Ammonia spike could come and go in a 24hr period. There are those that never see it.

exactly. once your tank has a proper bacteria level...the ammonia could be gone within a 24 hour period. you could add more rock...or ammonia. BUT, do NOT use household ammonia. you need to use ammonium chloride, if that is the route your going.

Ill ask again, as have others...have you tested NITRATES? nitrates will linger and are an indicator that you have a cycle happening.

bigfoot86 · Apr 28, 2013

Actually the nitrates are the only thing I haven't tested yet. Thank you for the the feedback, it is very much appreciated!!! Was thinking bout adding a few more lbs of live rock possibly.

bigfoot86 · Apr 28, 2013

Just tested the NITRATES now and it came back zero.

Mike J. · Apr 28, 2013

Nitrates are an indication that you have a cycle going. The standard rule of thumb is at least a pound of rock per gal. Maybe two pounds per gal. It seems to me that it is a good thing that you are waiting.

Reefing Madness · Apr 28, 2013

bigfoot86 said:
Just tested the NITRATES now and it came back zero.

Welp, if thats the case and you've been running for 3 weeks, your cycled. Don't know how, but you got by without anything going on. Add a CUC and 1 fish to get the bio load up.