Cycling question

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

So I have a 55 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump and I'm trying to get my cycle going Iv added 50 lbs of dry rock and 10 lbs of live rock with dry sand . It's been in the tank for 7 days and I'm not getting any ammonia (0.1) but I have 2 ppm of nitrates. Wondering what to do ? Thanks in advance

beaslbob · Mar 18, 2015

add macro algaes.
The ammonia may not have spiked because there is no current bioload. But when you add that first fish then you get the spikes.
my .02

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

Cycles are mostly avoidable if the live rock you used was full of established bacteria. sounds like you had a mini cycle due to seeding your tank with live rock. If you would like to test this out you can always add a little pure ammonia and if its drops to 0 within 24 hours you are cycled.

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

beaslbob said:
add macro algaes.
The ammonia may not have spiked because there is no current bioload. But when you add that first fish then you get the spikes.
my .02

you cant get nitrates without an ammonia spike. So it did at some point.

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

I test the tank ever 2 day the ammonia never got above 0.1 ppm that I've noticed I was thinking of putting in a shrimp for ammonia just because my lfs is 2 hours away

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

you can get ammonia at the hardware store.

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

Dead uncooked shrimp that is **

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

Adam_J said:
I test the tank ever 2 day the ammonia never got above 0.1 ppm that I've noticed I was thinking of putting in a shrimp for ammonia just because my lfs is 2 hours away

and every two days is pretty sparse a many cycle can happen over night

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

Ok I wil definitely start testing more my live rock seems to have a ton of die off from shipping which is why I found it odd that I don't have ammonia

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

if it had die off it should of been way up there, and it wouldnt of ended so fast. So yeah that is strange does it smell bad?

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

That's what I though as well the rock had a back ship got stuck for 4 days and in a little bit of cold but there was still life left . Not really sure what to do at this point really

Dextereef · Mar 18, 2015

there is some die off coming from the rock probably but I would add some food or shrimp to the tank to simulate a bioload. Or alternatively you could add a fish and use one of the bacterial additives out there. Ex: Dr. Tim's one and only or BioSpira.

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

does it smell? I think i would test it at this point by going to hardware store and getting pure ammonia and bring it up and monitoring it over the next few days. Its faster then a shrimp. buy the bottle that says 10% ammonium hydroxide, To raise 100 gallons of water from 0 to 2 ppm ammonia you would need to add 0.8 grams (8 ml) of standard 10% pure ammonia.

luke33 · Mar 18, 2015

IMO it doesn't sound like you have went through a cycle. I would feed the tank a few cubes of frozen food, then test the next day. I would do that a few times. You need to see an am spike as well as trites. I think it will take a bit longer to cycle with all the dry rock. I wouldn't add any fish. After you do this you should be able to feed and test the water the following day and get a zero for am and trites. My guess is your 4-6 weeks out a natural cycle, you could reduce the time by using a bacteria additive.

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

Ok I will do that and no the tank doesent smell at all

beaslbob · Mar 18, 2015

deerhunter06 said:
you cant get nitrates without an ammonia spike. So it did at some point.

While it is true that you need ammonia to get nitrItes and then nitrates, it is entirely possible to do that with no ammonia spike.
If the ammonia is being consumed partially with bacteria and totally with a combination of bacteria and plant/algae action, there will be no ammonia spike.
but the ammonia is still being produced and converted to nitrItes and then nitrates.
my .02

deerhunter06 · Mar 18, 2015

beaslbob said:
While it is true that you need ammonia to get nitrItes and then nitrates, it is entirely possible to do that with no ammonia spike.
If the ammonia is being consumed partially with bacteria and totally with a combination of bacteria and plant/algae action, there will be no ammonia spike.
but the ammonia is still being produced and converted to nitrItes and then nitrates.
my .02

Agreed.

Adam_J · Mar 18, 2015

Thanks a lot guys , I will add some ammonia and see what it does from there

saltyphish · Mar 18, 2015

I agree you have not really cycled yet. Add the ammonia in whatever form you decide and be sure. Better safe than sorry.

Rich LED · Mar 18, 2015

Hi Adam.I would just add about 5 Damsels and feed them daily all they want.Check the ammonia in 2 to 4 days and it should start to show some ammonia levels.Fish have the nitrifying bacteria with them and it will be a natural process.Buying good cured live rock will help with the cycle not spiking.Smell the live rock before you purchase it.If it smells foul, leave it. Good luck,Richard