Help With Cycle!

GoTakeANap · Nov 29, 2013

I set up a new tank 2 weeks ago. I used LS and has LR in there. When I tested the water it showed Ammonia. It has gone down to nothing. This is throwing me off thou. I tested Nitrites and it hasn't shown anything on my test, just reads 0. Nitrates tested at 5 one day and hasn't shown anything on the test since that one day. I'm never had Nitrites and Nitrates not show before. Is my cycle over or is this common when using LS with good bacteria in it? I'm kinda confused and don't know weather to proceed or wait a few more weeks.

mike007 · Nov 29, 2013

You said it showed ammonia and then you said it was at 0. If you have ammonia tank has not cycled. Go slow 2 weeks is not enough time .

GoTakeANap · Nov 29, 2013

mike007 said:
You said it showed ammonia and then you said it was at 0. If you have ammonia tank has not cycled. Go slow 2 weeks is not enough time .

Yes ammonia did show within the 1st 2 weeks and now its 0 according to my test. Kinda hard to tell for sure that's its zero because of the color chart. I've never cycled a tank and not have Nitrites show up. Just a little confusing to me because of that. Cant really move anything in there at this point thou. My AI Hydra wont be here for another week.

dadof4 · Nov 29, 2013

What are you using to feed the bacteria you are trying to create? We this live rock that came directly from someone else's tank or how did you acquire it? Also when you say live sand do you mean the stuff in a bag you get at the LFS? If the LR is from someone else's tank and had minimal exposure to air the bacteria was already there but it needed to be fed by an ammonia source, ie: fish, fish foods, a table shrimp thrown in the tank, etc. If it came from somewhere else and it was dry you will have to go through a curing time to get rid of all the dead material on it and then you can start the cycle. If the latter is the case you will need to provide an ammonia source to get the nitrifying bacteria to grow, to give it a jump start you can us something like Dr Tims One and Only also.

GoTakeANap · Nov 29, 2013

LS out of a bag and LR came from my old tank I took down the day before. Should I throw a piece of shrimp in there?

inurocker · Nov 29, 2013

I would take a water sample to your LFS or reefing a buddy and get test run on another test kit just to be sure. I can go this fast but not often. Go slow and good luck.

GoTakeANap · Nov 30, 2013

inurocker said:
I would take a water sample to your LFS or reefing a buddy and get test run on another test kit just to be sure. I can go this fast but not often. Go slow and good luck.

I would but easier said then done. Closet LFS is a hour away! Hehe

mrcoffee2 · Nov 30, 2013

I am confused, you say 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and 0-5 nitrates... What is the problem? You said your Hydra wont be here? Does that mean you have no lights? As far as I can tell your tank sounds like its doing well? I am somewhat new though so keep that in mind

Beradd · Nov 30, 2013

IS there anything alive animal wise in there? have you been feeding the tank for the last 2 weeks?

inurocker · Nov 30, 2013

It sounds like your LR had a mini cycle from the move. You are more than likely good to go as it was more of a tank transfer not a fresh start. Just keep a close eye on it.

GoTakeANap · Nov 30, 2013

Beradd said:
IS there anything alive animal wise in there? have you been feeding the tank for the last 2 weeks?

No I don't have anything in there besides LR and sand. I haven't feed it anything. I put a piece of shrimp in there last night. How long do I leave it in there before I take it out?

GoTakeANap · Nov 30, 2013

mrcoffee2 said:
I am confused, you say 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and 0-5 nitrates... What is the problem? You said your Hydra wont be here? Does that mean you have no lights? As far as I can tell your tank sounds like its doing well? I am somewhat new though so keep that in mind

It has a different led strips up there at this time. Just temp setup.