Cycling tank

[MmmmBalf]

The thing is with shrimp is once there is no ammonia source the bacteria die out and there's another ammonia spike from the dying bacteria or so I heard personally I had clowns and sw ghost shrimp and dr tims bacteria but I put that in a month after the clowns

Actually, that's a common myth spread around various aquarium forums, both fresh & saltwater. Scientific studies have shown that the nitrifying bacteria Nitrosomonus is extremely resistant to ammonia starvation and can last up to a year without any ammonia at all and instantly respond to the addition of ammonia.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Samantha what test kit are you using for water tests? Also if anyone knows, how long do you leave the shrimp in the tank? Do you add first day of cycle? If using ammonia how much do you add and how often? It would be helpful to know this info instead of just add this or that..

 

[rayn]

For the shrimp method, add it once salt levels are at 1.026. The idea behind putting it in a mesh bag is that it will start to fall apart and you can pull it back out. Once you see levels of ammonia you can pull it. I have learned that once it has a hazy ball around it, the bacteria are there and doing their job.

Stuff in the bottle I haven't used, but assume you would follow directions on each versions bottle.

 

[Oldsofty]

I haven't had the lights on only for pictures. Anything else you would recommend besides the shrimp? We don't eat shrimp so I wouldn't be able to buy just 1 lol

So, are u confused yet? Lol Everyone on this forum has a different way of doing the same thing. All these ideas work, there are many ways to run a reef tank. My suggestion is keep it cheap cuz thus hobby can get spendy if u let it. Shrimp are generally free if u chat up the seafood counter person, if not, its almost free. Don't fear an algae bloom as this will consume excess nitrates. Find a friend with or purchase some pods and let them populate your tank. Then....comes the hard part...hehe No worries, just post again and u will get some more good advice.

 

[samanthajones]

I am using api saltwater master test kit. Today my nitrite is lower than yesterday but nitrate hasnt gone up and ammonia is still very low. I bought nutrafin cycle and plan on putting that in today to start up the cycle.

 

[rayn]

Ain't that the truth @Oldsofty

 

[samanthajones]

So, are u confused yet? Lol Everyone on this forum has a different way of doing the same thing. All these ideas work, there are many ways to run a reef tank. My suggestion is keep it cheap cuz thus hobby can get spendy if u let it. Shrimp are generally free if u chat up the seafood counter person, if not, its almost free. Don't fear an algae bloom as this will consume excess nitrates. Find a friend with or purchase some pods and let them populate your tank. Then....comes the hard part...hehe No worries, just post again and u will get some more good advice.

When would you recommend adding pods if I can find some? Before or after the cycle is done?

 

[Brew12]

Looks like your cycle is going great! I wouldn't even both putting food in at this point. You can add a bacteria in a bottle product if you want it to go faster otherwise you can just wait. My guess is that your live rock is providing most of your ammonia source right now anyway (stuff on it dying off).
The reason you aren't seeing an ammonia spike is that it is being converted too quickly. You would have needed to convert a fairly substantial amount of ammonia to nitrite then nitrate to get your nitrates in the 20-30ppm range.

As for pods, I would wait until after the cycle is done. I would do this for no other reason than the LR you put in may already have had pods on it. It is very possible you won't need to add pods at all.

 

[cpschult]

Lan for algaebarn said pods can handle some ammonia. I'm waiting on a response from him to find out how much. I would add some once cycle is complete. If there are some on the rocks that you have it will take quite awhile for them to breed to a visible population.

 

[Oldsofty]

When would you recommend adding pods if I can find some? Before or after the cycle is done?

Like cpschult said, wait till the end. If your going to have a sump of some sort then usually if u order some chaeto or other macro algae it will be loaded with pods. If not, find a friend or club member that can grab u a handful. Just be cautious, ask if they have any pests in their tank. Hitchhikers can make u hate this hobby quick.... : )