Tank cycle

Bcountry · Sep 15, 2013

Hey guys,
I started a new tank about a month ago. I used seachem stability for about 5 days until I was told to quit using it. I can't get ammonia, nitrates or nitrites going..... I even ghost fed the tank for 2-3 days. The food now has white fungus on it but still no reading of ammonia, nitrates or nitrites. Any ideas? Do I need to get a light or no? I have a 10 gal with a hob, live rock, base rock and arogonite sand.

NanaReefer · Sep 15, 2013

Do a 2g water change, removing to rotten food at the same time. Then test daily for the next 5 days. It is possible that the Stability has given you enough jump of beneficial bacteria that you only had a tiny cycle and missed it. Or it'll all hit within the next week-lol.
I too used Stability when starting my tank. Great product IMO

Good luck and keep us posted.

LOVETHISHOBBY · Sep 15, 2013

I was thinking the same thing as NanaReefer. Between the Stability and live rock, your system is most likely cycled and ready.

Bcountry · Sep 15, 2013

Ok I'm slightly confused, if my tank is cycled don't I need to wait for diatoms or algae so the CUC can have something to eat or no? Walk me through this plz....

LOVETHISHOBBY · Sep 15, 2013

Yes, you will definitely want to get a light going for algae to start growing in order for your CUC to have something to eat.

glb · Sep 15, 2013

Bcountry said:
Ok I'm slightly confused, if my tank is cycled don't I need to wait for diatoms or algae so the CUC can have something to eat or no? Walk me through this plz....

The cuc's can eat the fish food you put in.

Bcountry · Sep 15, 2013

Alright thank you guys!!!!!!

Coraloliseffect · Sep 15, 2013

if you want to test your cycle, you can get pure ammonia. no additives no smelling stuff (hard to find it wont make bubbles when you shake it - i found it at ace.). must be pure ammonia.
any how can ad like .5ml to 30 gal. this will test in your cycle. then with in 1-2 days if you have a cycle levels should drop. nitrites will spike and will end up with nitrates.
voila confirmed cycle with no live stock to risk. if not cycled now you have ammonia for you cycle to start on.
I use this on all my quarantines to guarantee i have a cycle prior to adding live stock.

glb · Sep 15, 2013

Coraloliseffect said:
if you want to test your cycle, you can get pure ammonia. no additives no smelling stuff (hard to find it wont make bubbles when you shake it - i found it at ace.). must be pure ammonia.
any how can ad like .5ml to 30 gal. this will test in your cycle. then with in 1-2 days if you have a cycle levels should drop. nitrites will spike and will end up with nitrates.
voila confirmed cycle with no live stock to risk. if not cycled now you have ammonia for you cycle to start on.
I use this on all my quarantines to guarantee i have a cycle prior to adding live stock.

I've done this and it works like a charm. I got mine at ace too. If you shake it and it bubbles, don't use it.