Hello guys, I am looking for help with my first cycle. I tore down a nasty bristle worm infested, salty, dirty used tank that was a great deal online. I bleached the rocks, cured them multiple times, brushed them, ditched the ugly/nasty sand, used brand new water, and fixed up the plumbing. I made a few mistakes so far. First off, I attempted to add 5 small damsels and use the quickstart complete for saltwater. Right off the bat, the ammonia and nitrites were pretty high. After a couple fish deaths and food decomposing, I removed the fish, tried to clean up some food, use the protein skimmer, new sock, etc, to ensure no ammonia and nitrites could be leeched into the system. At about day 10 nothing had changed, even using the quickstart. At day 11, the typical cycle seemed to be working, but only after I started using microbacter7. Nitrites have gone up. I have a few hermits in there to keep things clean. I've been dosing the microbacter7 at about 20ml per day since it's about 90 gal total with the sump but I'm seeing absolutely no change except for diatoms starting to grow everywhere. It is now almost 2 weeks and ammonia and nitrites have been too high for me to tell if they are changing at all. I am thinking that once I get paid, I will do a 40gal water change and add live sand. My thinking is that it will put the ammonia within range for me to see if the bacteria is growing, as well as at a normal range for cycling. I'm looking for all advice. I also have one live rock from an established tank to help seed. I've tested using the api color test kit.
Help with first cycle
- Thread starter Hiachi20
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christalynn
New Member
I’m new to the hobby just lost my entire tank to someone selling me uncured rock that infested my tank with worms and bacteria that’s even after I quarantined my fish they did not survive I’m ready gi try again I also have re cured my rock but I’m running a 55gal with at least 40 lbs of live rock live coral reef sand
I will not use anyone's live rock or sand after what I saw in this tank lol. Bleached them all, brushed, and cured multiple times before i put them inside. Bleach is good for killing everything off and you can use dechlorinator to be sure it isn't harmful. Needs rinsed afterward anyway imo.
Brew12
Electrical Gru
I wouldn't bother with the live sand. All you really need is more time. Your biggest problem seems to be trying to do too much too fast.
I put this together awhile ago to help people understand what happens when starting up a new tank. You may find it helpful.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/cycling-an-aquarium.303/
I put this together awhile ago to help people understand what happens when starting up a new tank. You may find it helpful.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/cycling-an-aquarium.303/
Wildblue4
Active Member
Welcome to the family. Patients is your friend. It’s hard but the slower the better.
marvelousone
Well-Known Member
You are going to fast. If you want to use fish to start cycle. Just go with one damsel. No clean up crew yet. Give it time. Diatoms is normal. They will go away once all silicates are gone. You have to let the bacteria grow. In salt water nothing happens fast. When I cycle a new tank I let it run with lights off for a week. Then I add a small raw piece of shrimp and let it start the cycle. Once Ammonia and nitrates go away then I add fish. I hear to many people complain about the damsels getting mean and want them out later. So why cycle it with one. Just my 2 cents. I like your rock layout. Happy Reefing.
Thanks. I know pretty well about the nitrogen cycle itself. I just wish there was a more measurable way to do things. I would say that I haven't at least gone above 10ppm ammonia given the color range I can see. Check out my past levels below. Now it's higher. Probably 4-8ppm ammonia and 5 or more nitrite. Would you agree that if I leave my water as is, no more food, not even for crabs, that my levels will eventually go down? And that the bacteria population will be very high? Or should I just do a 50% water change and go within a more normal range to be able to watch it go down? Either way, it cycles, just one is more established, correct? Ammonia is the same or darker. Nitrite is a much darker purple.
Brew12
Electrical Gru
Your levels will go down if you feed the crabs or not. The small amount of food they need won't have much of an impact on ammonia. Personally, I don't like ammonia getting above 5ppm since that can slow the development of nitrifying bacteria. I wouldn't bother with a water change to lower it though as it will eventually come down. Just give it time.Thanks. I know pretty well about the nitrogen cycle itself. I just wish there was a more measurable way to do things. I would say that I haven't at least gone above 10ppm ammonia given the color range I can see. Check out my past levels below. Now it's higher. Probably 4-8ppm ammonia and 5 or more nitrite. Would you agree that if I leave my water as is, no more food, not even for crabs, that my levels will eventually go down? And that the bacteria population will be very high? Or should I just do a 50% water change and go within a more normal range to be able to watch it go down? Either way, it cycles, just one is more established, correct? Ammonia is the same or darker. Nitrite is a much darker purple.
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Thanks. I know pretty well about the nitrogen cycle itself. I just wish there was a more measurable way to do things. I would say that I haven't at least gone above 10ppm ammonia given the color range I can see. Check out my past levels below. Now it's higher. Probably 4-8ppm ammonia and 5 or more nitrite. Would you agree that if I leave my water as is, no more food, not even for crabs, that my levels will eventually go down? And that the bacteria population will be very high? Or should I just do a 50% water change and go within a more normal range to be able to watch it go down? Either way, it cycles, just one is more established, correct? Ammonia is the same or darker. Nitrite is a much darker purple.
Ah, the dreaded API test kit. FYI they are hit and miss for accuracy. They will generally tell you if something is present, but not much more. Red Sea, Salifert and others are much better options.
marvelousone
Well-Known Member
Just let it come down on it's on. You will be ok.
