Help cycling 15 gallon

[GrizzReacts]

So I started cycling my 15 gallon last Thursday night using the whole FritzZyme Turbo Start 900 1oz bottle and a cap full of Dr. Tim’s ammonia. That Sunday I added two hermit crabs and 2 turbo snails along with algae wafers for them to feed on (all are doing fine) . So today I tested my water and these are my results. My question is should I wait it out or do a water change to get levels down ? I also ordered some FritzZyme 9 Nitrifying Bacteria was going to add it to the tank Saturday to get the ammonia down. Any advice will be appreciated new to this and want to do it right and also want to give my fish the best chance.

 

[PotatoPig]

You have nitrates, this means your ammonia is being processed so the bacteria are doing their job.

Are all the inverts still alive? If so do a largish water change to bring down ammonia and then slowly start adding bioload.

Did you start the tank from live rock or dry rock?

What are your next planned additions?

 

[GrizzReacts]

You have nitrates, this means your ammonia is being processed so the bacteria are doing their job.

Are all the inverts still alive? If so do a largish water change to bring down ammonia and then slowly start adding bioload.

Did you start the tank from live rock or dry rock?

What are your next planned additions?

Thanks for replying! Yes the inverts are still alive and I have the CaribSea live rock and my next plan is to hopefully add fish by the weekend I also was gonna add the 9 Nitrifying Bacteria when I added fish in.

 

[brandon429]

None of those are the ammonia test which is the only one that matters, ammonia doesn't read blue on the api scale. The test isn't ran correctly if that's it in the middle

We don't need to see it anyway, that brand of bacteria adheres to rocks in two days and you're well past that time, you're done cycling. Before adding fish, read the stickies in the disease forum. If you add fish without any preps thinking it will be ok, read the help threads across the site on disease loss to see that it won't be ok

You're done cycling having bought and installed two day cycling bacteria and are now into disease planning.

 

[brandon429]

Has anyone done coral/inverts only and no fish at first?

Fish seem to be the main cause of disruption in a display tank, given the current circumstances in the hobby with pests (ich, velvet, parasites, etc.). I have been in this hobby for 18 years, and the amount of pests that are showing up lately is much more (could also be the fact that we have...

www.reef2reef.com

Read that thread for best practices to save your fish from disease loss

 

[Cichlid Dad]

.

 

[GrizzReacts]

.

?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

?

Mine is so I can follow thread

 

[rja]

I would say your cycle is complete but API ammonia test kit isn’t too accurate for saltwater. Mine never get completely yellow. Always some mountain dew color.

 

[GrizzReacts]

None of those are the ammonia test which is the only one that matters, ammonia doesn't read blue on the api scale. The test isn't ran correctly if that's it in the middle

We don't need to see it anyway, that brand of bacteria adheres to rocks in two days and you're well past that time, you're done cycling. Before adding fish, read the stickies in the disease forum. If you add fish without any preps thinking it will be ok, read the help threads across the site on disease loss to see that it won't be ok

You're done cycling having bought and installed two day cycling bacteria and are now into disease planning.

Ok I’ll slowly start adding fish and make sure to acclimate them

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally, with such a high nitrate reading, I would say its cycled, I would do a major water change and prepare for the first fish.

 

[GrizzReacts]

I would say your cycle is complete but API ammonia test kit isn’t too accurate for saltwater. Mine never get completely yellow. Always some mountain dew color.

Same this is my 3rd day using the test and the water wasn’t even close to green but hope it’s cycled ready for fish just didn’t want to rush and thought I messed up the tank.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

So, imho after reading your post, it seems like you are going a little bit fast. The key to this hobby is being patience. I would slow down and take your time. It's very important for your success.

 

[Aqua Man]

Any advice will be appreciated new to this and want to do it right and also want to give my fish the best chance.

Could have overdosed the ammonia. Even Fritz will need some time to convert all the ammonia. Or it’s a test error. API is ok but the instructions need to be followed closely.

In the future please make SURE your water chemistry is good before putting animals lives at risk. Happy reefing!

Hopefully it is test error and your new animals are not going to die.

 

[GrizzReacts]

I am starting to see a brown stringy substance on the rock don’t know if it’s algae or not

 

[brandon429]

Your current plan is likely to kill the fish though/ see posted thread_/ disease forum/ any of the reading material mentioned for disease prep

Cycling isn't what makes the tank safe for fish, be sure and read the material, you can see they will only make it a few months per the reading on file if it's skipped.

Acclimation isn't what prevents disease, it's the fallow and quarantine and exceptional feeding (pet store food is fish junk food) and exceptional water quality control that prevents disease

 

[GrizzReacts]

Your current plan is likely to kill the fish though/ see posted thread_/ disease forum

Cycling isn't what makes the tank safe for fish, be sure and read the material

I did read it and will follow along adding coral next then waiting a while to add fish that was my plan at first only to add them together but after reading what you sent I will not be adding fish so soon

 

[rja]

Same this is my 3rd day using the test and the water wasn’t even close to green but hope it’s cycled ready for fish just didn’t want to rush and thought I messed up the tank.

Just let it sit for a week or two. I know it sucks but an ounce of patience is worth its weight in gold. If you’re ever in doubt about a cycle, pretending like your tank doesn’t exist for literally weeks pretty much fixes any and all (biological) problems!