Is this possible??

[Manda0597]

So I started cycling my 90G + 20G Sump 2 weeks ago. Used water, live sand and live rock from well established tank. One piece of dry rock in the mix. Added a dead shrimp to start cycle the same day. I have 0 ammonia and .25 nitrite and 30 nitrate as of 2 days ago. Will test again this evening but if my nitrites are dropping could my cycle be done as I am getting no ammonia reading? I wouldn't think this possible but I used live everything from an established aquarium.

 

[TonyD1988]

Yes its very possible. Most of my tanks I've started from dry rock and dry sand with just raw shrimp and bottled bacteria. Even my current 300 gallon was fully cycled in just a few weeks and thriving to this day.

 

[Manda0597]

Yes its very possible. Most of my tanks I've started from dry rock and dry sand with just raw shrimp and bottled bacteria. Even my current 300 gallon was fully cycled in just a few weeks and thriving to this day.

Cool thanks. It seems like it is religion to have to wait 4-6 weeks for the tank to cycle before it is ready. I figured with using everything from an established tank so there is already bacteria it would not take that long.

 

[Bosreef]

Your tank was cycled when you put the live rock in it.

 

[X-37B]

I used live rock from my nano and caribsea dry to start my 120. Their was no cycle. I still waited a month before adding anything.

 

[Manda0597]

I used live rock from my nano and caribsea dry to start my 120. Their was no cycle. I still waited a month before adding anything.

Yes today makes 2 weeks and I am going to test the water tonight to see if nitrites are down and where i am sitting with nitrates and I may get my first 2 fish started in QT Wednesday

 

[Auquanut]

Sounds like your new system is coming along great! Using established rock and sand really jump started the cycle. If you intend to quarantine, the tank should be more than ready when the first fish go in. Have you seen any algae growth or diatoms yet? If so, it may not hurt to add a small CUC to keep ahead of it. Congrats!

 

[Manda0597]

Sounds like your new system is coming along great! Using established rock and sand really jump started the cycle. If you intend to quarantine, the tank should be more than ready when the first fish go in. Have you seen any algae growth or diatoms yet? If so, it may not hurt to add a small CUC to keep ahead of it. Congrats!

Thank you! I actually haven't seen any algae or diatoms which made me wonder if my cycle stalled or something but my parameters check out. I have even been leaving light on in order to get algae to grow so I can add a CUC! Thoughts?

 

[Auquanut]

Thank you! I actually haven't seen any algae or diatoms which made me wonder if my cycle stalled or something but my parameters check out. I have even been leaving light on in order to get algae to grow so I can add a CUC! Thoughts?

Since the tank is so new, it's not too surprising that you haven't seen any algae growth yet. You may want to ghost feed the tank lightly occasionally to feed the bacteria until you have a bioload. I would hold off on the CUC until you can see algae forming. Looks like you're doing all of the right stuff.