Fish in cycle

[jon631NY]

Hey!, okay so I started my cycle on Sunday, put live sand, dry rock, and a springeri demsel, I added Fritz turbo 900 start, tested my ammonia on 6/25 and this was my results, attached, did my tank cycle that quick because it's also clear.. not sure if it's 0 or 0.5

 

[Shnetts]

Did you test for nitrates? Once those start rising is another giveaway the cycle is nearing the end. Also once some algae starts to form.

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

I would dose 2ppm ammonia & test again after 24 hours to see if it's back to 0.

 

[mh0ward]

No, I don't think your tank cycled starting with dry rock in just a couple of days. If your only source of ammonia is fish food and waste, you will probably see a gradual climb in ammonia as you feed and the fish produces waste. Then, as bacteria grows to catch up with the load, you'll see it come down.

This is different than with a fishless cycle where its common to use ammonium chloride to bring the ammonia level up to a specific amount (usually 2ppm) right from the start, and with no other source of ammonia - that way you can monitor that ammonia level and know exactly when you've got enough bacteria to process it.

Also, I don't think I'd recommend dosing 2ppm of ammonia with a fish in the tank, especially since you'll be feeding, which will add even more.

 

[jon631NY]

I am not adding ammonia , when should I retest?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would not add ammonia with a fish in there.

 

[jon631NY]

Would you suggest feeding everyday?

 

[NanoNana]

Would you suggest feeding everyday?

Yes. And test ammonia and nitrates at least daily.

 

[jon631NY]

Yes. And test ammonia and nitrates at least daily.

shouldn't the water start become cloudy?

 

[mh0ward]

shouldn't the water start become cloudy?

Probably not. You won't have enough bacteria established that could cause a bloom. I dont think I would bother with testing Nitrates at first either since it will take a little while before the nitrifying bacteria develops. I would definitely keep an eye on the ammonia though so you know once it has peaked and started to come back down, as well as to make sure the water doesn't get too toxic for your fish.

A fishless cycle with bottled bacteria usally takes around 2 full weeks to cycle, but that is done with a set amount of ammonia from the start that will feed the bacteria. A fish in cycle where you dont have good control over the amount of ammonia in the water might take a little longer.

Disclaimer: I would still consider myself a newb

 

[jon631NY]

Probably not. You won't have enough bacteria established that could cause a bloom. I dont think I would bother with testing Nitrates at first either since it will take a little while before the nitrifying bacteria develops. I would definitely keep an eye on the ammonia though so you know once it has peaked and started to come back down, as well as to make sure the water doesn't get too toxic for your fish.

A fishless cycle with bottled bacteria usally takes around 2 full weeks to cycle, but that is done with a set amount of ammonia from the start that will feed the bacteria. A fish in cycle where you dont have good control over the amount of ammonia in the water might take a little longer.

Disclaimer: I would still consider myself a newb

okay perfect! I mean the fish is swimming eating lol looks good so far

 

[reefer2/19/24]

Currently cycling. No ammonia yet or nitrite but phosphate is up to. 04. Is this an indicator? Took a lot of rock and sand from my 75-gallon and bio blocks and placed them in the sump. Old 75-gallon had no sump. Live dead rock in the display. 2 clownfish and a new black dot in the display about a week. What should I look for? Used a bottle of DR Tim's and been dosing Microbactor 7 for 10 days. I have Probator coming today. Thoughts?

 

[aztoza]

I’m also mid-cycle fish-in. If ammonia is truly coming down, that means the bacteria has turned it into Nitrite and so Nitrites should be higher. The Nitrate test will pick up on Nitrites too—that means the test will not be accurate as long as the Nitrites are high. When the Nitrites and Ammonia are both 0 for awhile and you get a good Nitrate reading, the cycle is done.

 

[jon631NY]

Here is what it says it can have a tank cycled in 5 days or less so it's possible my tank is cycled?" Did anyone ever use this w/ fish in cycle ?

 

[MnFish1]

Hey!, okay so I started my cycle on Sunday, put live sand, dry rock, and a springeri demsel, I added Fritz turbo 900 start, tested my ammonia on 6/25 and this was my results, attached, did my tank cycle that quick because it's also clear.. not sure if it's 0 or 0.5

Those strips are not the best tests - so it's hard to say whether it's 0 or not. But - I would say - if its reading correctly, its '0'. I would verify your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate using a different brand - at an LFS, for example. How does the fish look?