Tank Cycle Question

[cbrack83]

So let me set the stage. This is going to be my first reef tank as I have always had freshwater before. I inherited a 220 gallon tank that was up and running but no longer had fish. I broke the tank down saved about 180 gallons of the water, kept the live rock submerged in water with circulation pumps running for about a week and a half until I had the tank ready. The tank has been up and running now for about 3 weeks.

After a few days I tested the water and no surprise there was a touch of ammonia but minimal. I hadn't checked levels since because I forgot to do it before I left for a week on a business trip. I am now back and I check my numbers...

Here is what I have:

PH 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 15
Nitrite 0

salinity is 1.025

I am trying to figure out where my tank is at in terms a cycle and being able to start adding a few fish...

Thoughts?

 

[jwilliams860]

The numbers arent to bad, you can try a fish that is hardy, clown fish or damsel and let them help cycle some more. Because the tank had not been fallow to long and hopefully alot of the bacteria didnt have a big die off, the actual cycle may be shorter than with a new tank, but as always you can watch the parameters and do steady water changes.

 

[Jakepen]

I wouldn't add any fish, your tank is still in the cycle process (which you seem to know already). Once you start to show nitrates, you can do a simple test. Add 2ppm (I think it's 2?) of ammonia, and if it drops to zero within 24 hours, you're good to go. I wouldn't do any water changes in the meantime. Also for future reference, saving water from an established tank, doesn't really have any benefit.

 

[cbrack83]

Jakepen what do you mean by add 2 ppm ammonia? Ya I understand the water thing... it was more about keeping the live rock submerged and not having to make up so much RO water...

 

[dbl]

As suggested, get the ammonia to 2 ppm using a pure ammonia. Get a bottle of Dr. Tim's ammonia - it's inexpensive and the directions are on the bottle. Test it 24 hours later. If it's back to zero, you're more than likely good to go.

Your cycle may have been reduced by your handling of the rock. If it was kept wet in saltwater, circulated and kept at a reasonable temperature, the die off was likely not too drastic.

Lastly, once you determine the tank is cycled and you're ready to start adding livestock, go slowly! It's a big tank and may look empty with only one or two fish, but fight the urge to "fill it up" in a hurry. Baby steps work better in the salty world.

 

[cbrack83]

Thanks for the information... I will get a bottle of that this weekend...

I plan to go very slow 2 fish at a time with weeks in between after a significant QT time for the fish before making it to my main tank.... Because everything I have read and have been told by my LFS is that slow is best. Plus Saltwater is much more expensive then freshwater and I cant and don't want to afford to have tank issues because I rush... Its gonna be a big empty looking tank for a while but long term it will be better...

 

[dbl]

Thanks for the information... I will get a bottle of that this weekend...

I plan to go very slow 2 fish at a time with weeks in between after a significant QT time for the fish before making it to my main tank.... Because everything I have read and have been told by my LFS is that slow is best. Plus Saltwater is much more expensive then freshwater and I cant and don't want to afford to have tank issues because I rush... Its gonna be a big empty looking tank for a while but long term it will be better...

All very well said.

 

[cbrack83]

Thanks dbl!

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Even better plan! buy some pure ammonia and dose up to 4ppm. test ammonia every 4 hours and make a note when it's at 0. if it's 0 within 24 hours you're good. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't get a cycle as long as there was no die off on the rock.

Here's a calc for the amount of ammonia to use:

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/AmmoniaCycling.php

 

[cbrack83]

just an update... I took my water down to my LFS (not a box store. These guys are really good) They tested using there test equipment which I am sure more accurate then mine and they came back reading 0 nitrates... o ammonia and 0 nitrites... said I as good to go.

So I decided to pick up a cleaner crew to get started based on there recommendations... so far everything seems to be going well... Also picked up a nice emerald crab. Although not much especially given the fact its 220 gallons its nice to have some life in there...

 

[Joey waid]

just an update... I took my water down to my LFS (not a box store. These guys are really good) They tested using there test equipment which I am sure more accurate then mine and they came back reading 0 nitrates... o ammonia and 0 nitrites... said I as good to go.

So I decided to pick up a cleaner crew to get started based on there recommendations... so far everything seems to be going well... Also picked up a nice emerald crab. Although not much especially given the fact its 220 gallons its nice to have some life in there...

Sounds like your ready. My belief is you will be fine. As long as you stick to your plan...

 

[beaslbob]

Just take is slow as you have been.

I recommend using macro algaes which work very much as live plants in fw systems. Only thing is that the fish and cleaner crews eat most macros so you should use a refugium (even just a simple partition) to keep the livestock and macros separate.

Also I recommend using common FW mollies from your local fish store as a "cycle" fish. You have to acclimate it slowly but they can thrive in 100% marine tanks. And do not add food for a week after you add the mollies. Once you can get mollies to live for a few weeks you should be ready for the much more expensive marine only fish.

my .02

 

[cbrack83]

I have a spot in my sump for a refugium... I picked up the light this weekend and I am picking up some Chaeto from my LFS this weekend...

Taking it slow is my plan for both Aquarium and Financial reasons