Cycling questions...

Randyman · Jan 22, 2019

Hey all! New to the reefing world here.
So my son wanted an aquarium for Christmas and I foolishly suggested a saltwater tank...ha ha....before I had really looked into it much.
Anyway, we are starting a 90 gallon tank with about 80-90 lbs of reef cleaner dry rock and 80 lbs black Hawaiian live sand.
I started the cycle with pure ammonia about a week and a half ago. I've seen a drop in ammonia from about 4 ppm to about .25. My nitrite is at least 5ppm and my nitrate is steadily climbing as well. (Looks to be close to 40 ppm).
Anyway, guess my question is, do I keep dosing ammonia while I'm waiting for my nitrites to drop? Or will more ammonia just keep making the nitrites go up?
I've seen a lot of contradictory in things I've read here. Some say do a water change ..others say let it go...?
Many thanks for any advice!

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2019

You can do either really.
I’d stop.

Randyman · Jan 22, 2019

Randyman said:
Hey all! New to the reefing world here.
So my son wanted an aquarium for Christmas and I foolishly suggested a saltwater tank...ha ha....before I had really looked into it much.
Anyway, we are starting a 90 gallon tank with about 80-90 lbs of reef cleaner dry rock and 80 lbs black Hawaiian live sand.
I started the cycle with pure ammonia about a week and a half ago. I've seen a drop in ammonia from about 4 ppm to about .25. My nitrite is at least 5ppm and my nitrate is steadily climbing as well. (Looks to be close to 40 ppm).
Anyway, guess my question is, do I keep dosing ammonia while I'm waiting for my nitrites to drop? Or will more ammonia just keep making the nitrites go up?
I've seen a lot of contradictory in things I've read here. Some say do a water change ..others say let it go...?
Many thanks for any advice!

I should also say that I'm still short a skimmer and lights....so I'm not in a hurry to get fish in. Hopefully be able to get some lights this week and once my cycle finishes maybe put a fish in. Then probably do more frequent water changes until I get a skimmer. Anyone else done things this way or am way off base?

Randyman · Jan 22, 2019

saltyfilmfolks said:
You can do either really.
I’d stop.

Should I add a bit here and there just to keep "feeding" the bacteria that I hope is growing?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2019

It’ll add more nitrates.
A lot of folks do it to feel better so you can if you want.

It not hope btw.
You had ammonia and no nitrates.
You now have lower ammonia and nitrates.
That means the bacteria are eating the ammonia and making nitrates.
When the ammonia is zero it will mean the bacteria has eaten the ammon and you then have high nitrates.

Randyman · Jan 22, 2019

saltyfilmfolks said:
It’ll add more nitrates.
A lot of folks do it to feel better so you can if you want.

It not hope btw.
You had ammonia and no nitrates.
You now have lower ammonia and nitrates.
That means the bacteria are eating the ammonia and making nitrates.
When the ammonia is zero it will mean the bacteria has eaten the ammon and you then have high nitrates.

How long will the bacteria survive without an ammonia source? If I dont plan on adding a fish for a while? Guess what I'm asking is should I wait until nitrites drop before adding ammonia or add some everytime ammonia drops below .5 ppm?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2019

Randyman said:
How long will the bacteria survive without an ammonia source? If I dont plan on adding a fish for a while? Guess what I'm asking is should I wait until nitrites drop before adding ammonia or add some everytime ammonia drops below .5 ppm?

They will last months.
Once a month is fine. Keep an eye on the nitrates. Also check the phosphate.
Id add fish food instead of ammoina one toubjave a cycle.
The constant addition of ammonia could boost the bacteria and bottom out the nutrients Esp the Po4. That can be bad. For corals and cause dinos to bloom.

Randyman · Jan 22, 2019

saltyfilmfolks said:
They will last months.
Once a month is fine. Keep an eye on the nitrates. Also check the phosphate.
Id add fish food instead of ammoina one toubjave a cycle.
The constant addition of ammonia could boost the bacteria and bottom out the nutrients Esp the Po4. That can be bad. For corals and cause dinos to bloom.

Thank you!