Help me with the cycling process please

[chyeaboy2007]

So I just started it up last week and it is a AIO 40 gallon aquatop and I wanna do a mix reef but sps dom so I am going with a bear bottom and I did ammonia test yesterday and it was at like .50 ppm and my water is cloudy I did a 2 gallon water change 3 days ago and I have my both mida baskets and the two others with poly filter in them just wondering if I should be doing anything different or just sit back with no lights for a mouth or so and let it do its thing and side note when would be good to add some clowns to it as well AND DEFINITELY ANY OTHER INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

 

[davidcalgary29]

Cycling can take anywhere from four days to...well, months, and while there are things you can do to help the process along, patience is certainly a virtue here. If you've used live rock (not "life rock") in your aquascape, I'd wager that your cycle won't take that long. Remember that one of the reasons that people use a substrate is that it provides a huge surface area on which nitrifying bacteria can grow; you don't have that, and are left with the aquascape and glass surface for filtration. That may make the process longer.

Many people have had success with problem algae by keeping lights off during cycling. I haven't had that success and have noted no difference in subsequent algal growth in either type of lighting schedule.

 

[chyeaboy2007]

Cycling can take anywhere from four days to...well, months, and while there are things you can do to help the process along, patience is certainly a virtue here. If you've used live rock (not "life rock") in your aquascape, I'd wager that your cycle won't take that long. Remember that one of the reasons that people use a substrate is that it provides a huge surface area on which nitrifying bacteria can grow; you don't have that, and are left with the aquascape and glass surface for filtration. That may make the process longer.

Many people have had success with problem algae by keeping lights off during cycling. I haven't had that success and have noted no difference in subsequent algal growth in either type of lighting schedule.

O yeah and definitely should have mentioned that I add a bottom of Dr. Tim's the same day I started it up

 

[D4jack]

I wouldn't do any water changes until your cycle is complete unless you see very high ammonia. It is probably slowing you down.

 

[davidcalgary29]

This is from Dr. Tim's site:

• Is your tank bare-bottom? – if your tank does not have substrate (gravel or crushed coral) on the bottom this is called a bare-bottom tank and they take longer to cycle because there is not very much substrate for the bacteria to adhere to. If you are setting-up a quarantine tank and do not want to use a traditional substrate consider adding some inert glass rock or marbles or some other non-calcium-based media to the tank bottom. This will help cycle the tank faster.

I haven't used Poly Filter and don't know what it contains. However...

• Do not add ammonia removers to bind the ammonia – overdosing with these products will just increase the cycling time.

 

[chyeaboy2007]

This is from Dr. Tim's site:

• Is your tank bare-bottom? – if your tank does not have substrate (gravel or crushed coral) on the bottom this is called a bare-bottom tank and they take longer to cycle because there is not very much substrate for the bacteria to adhere to. If you are setting-up a quarantine tank and do not want to use a traditional substrate consider adding some inert glass rock or marbles or some other non-calcium-based media to the tank bottom. This will help cycle the tank faster.

I haven't used Poly Filter and don't know what it contains. However...

• Do not add ammonia removers to bind the ammonia – overdosing with these products will just increase the cycling time.

So do you think I should take the poly out then?

 

[chyeaboy2007]

I wouldn't do any water changes until your cycle is complete unless you see very high ammonia. It is probably slowing you down.

O okay then I will not do any more till it is done with its cycle

 

[chyeaboy2007]

Cycling can take anywhere from four days to...well, months, and while there are things you can do to help the process along, patience is certainly a virtue here. If you've used live rock (not "life rock") in your aquascape, I'd wager that your cycle won't take that long. Remember that one of the reasons that people use a substrate is that it provides a huge surface area on which nitrifying bacteria can grow; you don't have that, and are left with the aquascape and glass surface for filtration. That may make the process longer.

Many people have had success with problem algae by keeping lights off during cycling. I haven't had that success and have noted no difference in subsequent algal growth in either type of lighting schedule.

And yep I have life rock so that means longer o well time to enjoy rock and water In my tank for a bit no worries

 

[davidcalgary29]

O okay then I will not do any more till it is done with its cycle

From Dr. Tim's, again:

• Do not let the pH drop below 7. If it does, do a partial water change to bring the pH back up.

I don't know enough about Poly Filter to say one way or another. You may want to contact the manufacturer and ask if it contains any ammonia-binding substances.

 

[dedragon]

agreed with above, just wait and test levels. I like the aquascape, but is the rock on top just sat there or did you use putty to mount it there?

 

[chyeaboy2007]

agreed with above, just wait and test levels. I like the aquascape, but is the rock on top just sat there or did you use putty to mount it there?

Okay I will call.....Thank you and it is set on top to make it easier for cleaning till it is ready for coral then I am going to glue it and or putty it on I believe

 

[chyeaboy2007]

From Dr. Tim's, again:

• Do not let the pH drop below 7. If it does, do a partial water change to bring the pH back up.

I don't know enough about Poly Filter to say one way or another. You may want to contact the manufacturer and ask if it contains any ammonia-binding substances.

Yeah I tested that yesterday day well and it was at 8.0 and I have the windows open for the past few day because we have actually had nice weather here in western NY

 

[LegendaryCG]

Shameless self promotion but should help you Cg’s 30 day SPS reef cycle

 

[chyeaboy2007]

agreed with above, just wait and test levels. I like the aquascape, but is the rock on top just sat there or did you use putty to mount it there?

I called them and got a voice mail so waiting on there call back

 

[dedragon]

I called them and got a voice mail so waiting on there call back

?

 

[chyeaboy2007]

?

Yeah I called poly and idk i got a voice mail for them and I emailed them as well but here is the pack it comes in

 

[dedragon]

polyfilter is fine to use in tanks and wont have any issues, lots of people use it

 

[davidcalgary29]

polyfilter is fine to use in tanks and wont have any issues, lots of people use it

Yes, but OP wants to speed up the cycle. Poly Filter may contain substances that bind ammonia (it claims as much on the packaging), which Dr. Tim's warns not to use. I believe that's the issue here.

 

[LegendaryCG]

Yes, but OP wants to speed up the cycle. Poly Filter may contain substances that bind ammonia (it claims as much on the packaging), which Dr. Tim's warns not to use. I believe that's the issue here.

Yea I wouldn’t run any type of carbon/ion exchange resins during the initial nitrogen cycle.

 

[attiland]

Yeah I tested that yesterday day well and it was at 8.0 and I have the windows open for the past few day because we have actually had nice weather here in western NY

you just have to be patient. Sit back and relax. Water will clear down