I know, it’s been done to death.

[MacReef]

I just signed up after years of perusing the forums. I don’t consider myself an expert, at all. I have successfully set up two tanks (one 12 gallon home / one 22 gallon work). Both are active and healthy. I do not have coral in either tank. I have live rock, two clownfish and CUC in both. The clowns are outgrowing the 12 gallon, so I purchased a 20 gallon Waterbox cube (similar in size to my mature office tank). In the new tank, I have an Ai prime, Marco rock, Carib Bimini pink sand, and mp10. I introduced pure ammonia as prescribed, as well as API quick start. I checked after one week and ammonia and nitrite was off the charts. Today, one week later (two weeks total) I have 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite and 5ppm nitrate. Is this suspiciously quick?? I haven’t had a tank “cycle” that quick, ever. Given that I’ve only set up two tanks, I’m hesitant with this one. Should I add table shrimp and check parameters again in a week?

 

[Cell]

I would just dose some pure ammonia again and see how long it takes to process.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R! Agree, add ammonia source and see how quickly its reduced to zero.

 

[MacReef]

I would just dose some pure ammonia again and see how long it takes to process.

Thanks

Welcome to R2R! Agree, add ammonia source and see how quickly its reduced to zero.

thanks for both answers. I’ve always done it the old school way with the shrimp. This tank, for whatever reason I thought that day, I tried the dosing method. I have two very successful tanks. Just don’t want to be impatient even though numbers are good. Thanks again.

 

[MacReef]

Do you have a recommended dose of pure ammonia? Same as the first?

 

[Cell]

Might want to double check, but I believe dosing to 5ppm is pretty standard when cycling iirc.

 

[johnston]

WELCOME TO R2R

 

[MacReef]

Might want to double check, but I believe dosing to 5ppm is pretty standard when cycling iirc.

I agree. I’ll check again per recommendation but this happened in the span of two weeks. I thought it was quick per the couple of tanks that I set up. I didn’t use pure ammonia or QuickStart previously though.

 

[MacReef]

WELCOME TO R2R

Thanks!

 

[Cell]

Did you add the live rock from your old tank? If so, there's your reason for the instant cycle.

 

[MacReef]

Did you add the live rock from your old tank? If so, there's your reason for the instant cycle.

I did not.

 

[Peace River]

#WelcometoR2R!!! As several have already stated, adding ammonia and then testing to see if it has been processed should tell you what you want to know. Good luck!

 

[Cell]

The only other explanation then is the API Quick Start did it's job.

 

[MacReef]

#WelcometoR2R!!! As several have already stated, adding ammonia and then testing to see if it has been processed should tell you what you want to know. Good luck!

Thanks so much! I will add tomorrow and check again in a week. I appreciate all the help.

 

[MacReef]

The only other explanation then is the API Quick Start did it's job.

I wondered that. I haven’t used it before. I just wanted to check with more experienced reefers.

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome to the reef

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I think it's usually recommended to dose it to 2ppm and check again after 24 hours. If it's at zero then your cycled. Good luck

 

[Peace River]

I think it's usually recommended to dose it to 2ppm and check again after 24 hours. If it's at zero then your cycled. Good luck

+1

 

[MacReef]

I think it's usually recommended to dose it to 2ppm and check again after 24 hours. If it's at zero then your cycled. Good luck

Thanks for the help. Should I dose the recommended level to start or less? I have a 20 gallon Waterbox.

 

[Mastiffsrule]