Is my tank cycling?

[gemini9]

I recently set up a 30 gallon tank, added spring water, adjusted the salinity to 1.022 and added 2 pounds of live rock and 2 pounds of base rock (I ordered 14 pounds of dry rock and it's on it's way now). I've been watching my ammonia levels and haven't noticed a spike. The ammonia has been lingering around 1.0 ppm. Today, I checked my nitrite and nitrate levels and my nitrite is 5.0 ppm or above and my nitrate is around 80 ppm (it's hard to check these dang color codes). Salinity is still ok and temp is at 77 degrees steady. I've had the set up for about a week. Is my tank cycling? What will happy when I add my dry rock when it arrives monday? I will also be adding a few more pounds of live rock. Will that change anything? I don't see any kind of growth in there... no algae... nothing. Is my tank cycling or what? I'm slightly confused, as my ammonia levels never did spike up. oh: One more question, when checking the nitrate and stuff... am I supposed to hold the tube against the paper card or away from the paper card? If I hold it on the white background of the card it looks darker than if I view it straight on... :squigglemouth:

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yes, your tank is cycling. Nothing will happen when you add the dry rock. Your tank will continue cycle or go into a mini cycle with you adding more live rock that isn't cured.
To view the tube, put it up against the white card. I look into the tube myself for checking the color, setting it on the white card.

 

[gemini9]

Thanks! I was wondering if I needed to add a shrimp or anything to get the ammonia to spike but I guess everything seems to be going along as it should. Was looking at some of the pictures of your 240g tank. Very nice! Puts my little 30g to shame. You've got some good fish in there, too. All I have to look at for the moment are 4 1 pound rocks. lol

 

[The Flying Turkey]

I just started cycling my tank Wednesday night. I used 10 lbs of live rock to seed 50 lbs of dry rock. After 48 hours the ammonia is up to 1.5 ppm. How high can the ammonia go?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[bearjohnson]

I recently set up a 30 gallon tank, added spring water, adjusted the salinity to 1.022 and added 2 pounds of live rock and 2 pounds of base rock (I ordered 14 pounds of dry rock and it's on it's way now). I've been watching my ammonia levels and haven't noticed a spike. The ammonia has been lingering around 1.0 ppm. Today, I checked my nitrite and nitrate levels and my nitrite is 5.0 ppm or above and my nitrate is around 80 ppm (it's hard to check these dang color codes). Salinity is still ok and temp is at 77 degrees steady. I've had the set up for about a week. Is my tank cycling? What will happy when I add my dry rock when it arrives monday? I will also be adding a few more pounds of live rock. Will that change anything? I don't see any kind of growth in there... no algae... nothing. Is my tank cycling or what? I'm slightly confused, as my ammonia levels never did spike up. oh: One more question, when checking the nitrate and stuff... am I supposed to hold the tube against the paper card or away from the paper card? If I hold it on the white background of the card it looks darker than if I view it straight on... :squigglemouth:

What did you use as an ammonia source?

 

[gemini9]

I didn't put anything in there other than the 2 live rock and 2 base rock. and crushed coral. no dead shrimp and no live fish. My ammonia levels never spiked, which was why I was asking if I need to put in the shrimp. I'm going to town here in a bit so should I pick up a shrimp? Is it necessary to start the cycle with a shrimp or is my tank already cycling because of my nitrite and nitrate levels being so high? being so unsure maybe I should just throw in a dead shrimp anyway?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Your live rock is plenty for your cycle, as it has die off, theres your ammonia soruce.

 

[bearjohnson]

You will not hurt anything by adding shrimp to the tank. In fact I'd highly recommend it.

The more you feed the bacteria, the more it will thrive.

You don't necessarily have to have the ammonia go through the roof to be satisfied however, think of it this way...

If you only add a super small ammonia source and you see your numbers go up and down then your system is only as strong as that small amount of food introduced therefore colonizing a small amount of bacteria .

Now, if you add a large amount of ammonia (food source) and your levels go through the roof and then come down, you've just fed and cultivated a much larger army. Does that make sense? LOL

 

[gemini9]

I appreciate everyone's input. I understand the live rock is a source of ammonia and that it's acceptable. Since I don't have any fish in there yet, I don't think it would hurt anything to throw in shrimp so I may do it just to be safe. As of now, I don't really see any activity in the tank. Shouldn't there be algae growing in there? And that red/brown stuff? Can't remember what it's called.

 

[gemini9]

I do have 2 filters with carbon installed in my penguin 350... should I remove those filters?

 

[bearjohnson]

I do have 2 filters with carbon installed in my penguin 350... should I remove those filters?

No need to mess with the filters.

 

[gemini9]

I put them in there because when I first set up the tank it was muddy due to the crushed coral. Okay so I'll leave them in there. I'm heading into town. There's supposed to be a LFS closer than the other one I went to. Gonna see if I can find it and see what all they have. Thanks to everyone who has been helping me with this tank.

 

[gemini9]

ok so my dry rock was delivered today and I just rinsed it off and put it into my tank. So I guess I'll go ahead and put the shrimp in there. Anything else I need to do? Should I be doing a water change? Or just leave it be. Go ahead and put the shrimp in? lol I'm nervous. I'm so afraid I'll mess something up that would be bad for the fish.