Determining if my tank is cycled.

[Georgia00013]

So I am cycling a 40 cube tank... I started with about 16 pounds live rock (the rest dry) and using bottled bacteria (seed) for the 1st week per the instructions. I didn't test it all at until about a week and a half after I started. But I've got the same results everytime, tested every day or every other day.
pH-8
Ammonia- .25 (but it is an api test and even my rodi water tests .25 so it may be 0)
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 5-10 (closer to 5)

Is it possible that I missed the ammonia and/or nitrite spike?

 

[WvAquatics]

With bottled bacteria yes you can skip ammonia and nitrite Spike. Did you ever add any ammonia source to the tank to get ammonia? I would say that you are cycled. With nitrates that are from the rock.

 

[fishguy242]

hi how long running?

 

[fishguy242]

are you running skimmer?

 

[Georgia00013]

hi how long running?

3 weeks tomorrow

 

[Georgia00013]

are you running skimmer?

Yes, but I don't think it's doing anything.

 

[fishguy242]

good,sounds like a good quick cycle to me,go slow ,ask a lot of questions,most of all have fun..

 

[Georgia00013]

With bottled bacteria yes you can skip ammonia and nitrite Spike. Did you ever add any ammonia source to the tank to get ammonia? I would say that you are cycled. With nitrates that are from the rock.

There were a couple hermit crabs that snuck in on the rock from the get go and I've added some other cuc, as well as a little bit of fish food to see if that changed anything. It didn't.
And just to confirm the 5-10 is a safe level to keep my nitrates at?
It will still be a few more weeks before I add a fish because they cost money ‍

 

[Georgia00013]

good,sounds like a good quick cycle to me,go slow ,ask a lot of questions,most of all have fun..

And also thank you for the help! This is an exciting journey but even with all my research I still doubt myself a lot.

 

[Josh_boss]

3 weeks tomorrow

I would give it more time. But you should feed the tank and watch for the nitrate spike once the nitrates are up you know it’s been in cycle. Sadly because it needs to take a heavy load of ammonia and nitrite, you can put a hardy fish in the tank (after quarantine first) and let that fish poop build the cycle to make a stronger bio filtration (living in your sand& rocks). Could you post some pictures of your setup? I would love to see it!

 

[Georgia00013]

I would give it more time. But you should feed the tank and watch for the nitrate spike once the nitrates are up you know it’s been in cycle. Sadly because it needs to take a heavy load of ammonia and nitrite, you can put a hardy fish in the tank (after quarantine first) and let that fish poop build the cycle to make a stronger bio filtration (living in your sand& rocks). Could you post some pictures of your setup? I would love to see it!

I'll take a few pictures on my break. I have a little hair algae right now. But I hope to get some more flow going within the next week here because I know that is lacking.

 

[Georgia00013]

I would give it more time. But you should feed the tank and watch for the nitrate spike once the nitrates are up you know it’s been in cycle. Sadly because it needs to take a heavy load of ammonia and nitrite, you can put a hardy fish in the tank (after quarantine first) and let that fish poop build the cycle to make a stronger bio filtration (living in your sand& rocks). Could you post some pictures of your setup? I would love to see it!

Here is is at I think a week old?

 

[Josh_boss]

Was any of the rocks and sand from areas that could’ve been contaminated with the algae or were they bought from your local fish stores. Because I have use dried up Coral rocks and dried up sand and never got hair algae in my system. I have had in the past hair algae and it’s very hard to deal with! the best thing that worked for the hair algae was to grow cheato algae to starve out any other algae that would compete for its food because it’s a stronger algae. You’re going to go through a lot of different cycles in the tank before adding any Corals or anything so just be patient and take your time the more you rush now the more money loss coral loss fish loss in the end.

 

[Georgia00013]

Yeah there was live rock from Lfs. And actually looking at pictures of hair algae i think i may have jumped the gun on that diagnosis. I'll post some pictures in a bit.
And in all reality it will be probably at least a month before i add anything else. Even a fish.
Would continuing to add some fish food and it breaking down help feed the system?

 

[Georgia00013]

 

[fishguy242]

that looks like a very invasive fern type algae not hair ,not an expert in names ,info will come

 

[Georgia00013]

that looks like a very invasive fern type algae not hair ,not an expert in names ,info will come

Ugh I was kinda hoping it was like normal ugly phase. Also should mention I have been running the light 8 hours a day

 

[fishguy242]

before worrying #reefsquad

 

[PR_nano]

that looks like a very invasive fern type algae not hair ,not an expert in names ,info will come

It's does look like bryopsis, but I'm new to the hobby.

 

[brandon429]

you are cycled.

its not possible to not be cycled, when the tank has had algae growth on all surfaces.

reason for testing issues: not seneye. easy cycle here.

recap: in 100% of reefs with diatoms on the rock, or any algae, and on the glass walls, all substrate having been in that system given enough time to grow primary producers is cycled.

reasons tests arent helping: not using seneye ammonia calibrated and working well (so revert to visual cycling, we did )

a ready cycle means the tank will keep first additions alive, this one will. its already keeping some alive.