Undetectable Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates During Cycle

[Vertigo916]

Hello everyone, cycling a new aquarium. I have a 90 gallon FOWLR that has been running for almost 20 years. I recently bought a 20 gallon nano which I am hoping to turn into a mixed reef system. With that being said, I have not cycled an Aquarium in 20 years and must say I am a bit rusty. Question is, the new aquarium is 2 weeks old, being cycled with dry rock, live sand and added Dr Tim's one and only to Kickstart the cycling process. I also have two small damsels in there (BRS recommends fish in cycling). Question is, after 2 weeks, ammonia is still at zero ppm, nitrite is also at zero and surprisingly nitrate is also zero. I know the test kit is fine, because the nitrate in my existing Aquarium is showing a reading of 20 ppm. Is it possible that my tank is fully cycled after only 2 weeks? I am assuming there should be at least some detectable levels of nitrate. Has technology advanced so much that by adding live sand and Dr Tim's one and only can really significantly decrease the cycling process that fast? Sorry for the long post. Any information is much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Dan_P]

Hello everyone, cycling a new aquarium. I have a 90 gallon FOWLR that has been running for almost 20 years. I recently bought a 20 gallon nano which I am hoping to turn into a mixed reef system. With that being said, I have not cycled an Aquarium in 20 years and must say I am a bit rusty. Question is, the new aquarium is 2 weeks old, being cycled with dry rock, live sand and added Dr Tim's one and only to Kickstart the cycling process. I also have two small damsels in there (BRS recommends fish in cycling). Question is, after 2 weeks, ammonia is still at zero ppm, nitrite is also at zero and surprisingly nitrate is also zero. I know the test kit is fine, because the nitrate in my existing Aquarium is showing a reading of 20 ppm. Is it possible that my tank is fully cycled after only 2 weeks? I am assuming there should be at least some detectable levels of nitrate. Has technology advanced so much that by adding live sand and Dr Tim's one and only can really significantly decrease the cycling process that fast? Sorry for the long post. Any information is much appreciated. Thank you.

There is a possibility that Dr Tim’s has done nothing in 14 days and the live sand is taking care of any ammonia. New aquaria often start out running depleted in nitrate and phosphate.

 

[Vertigo916]

There is a possibility that Dr Tim’s has done nothing in 14 days and the live sand is taking care of any ammonia. New aquaria often start out running depleted in nitrate and phosphate.

Thanks for the response. Does that mean cycling is done and I can remove the damsels and start adding permanent livestock?

 

[Vertigo916]

Thanks for the response. Does that mean cycling is done and I can remove the damsels and start adding permanent livestock?

 

[Vertigo916]

Thanks for the response. Does that mean cycling is done and I can remove the damsels and start adding permanent livestock?

 

[taricha]

Personally, I would want to see ammonia measurement decrease and nitrite or nitrate increase to demonstrate to me that nitrifying bacteria are active and functional.

 

[Spare time]

Hello everyone, cycling a new aquarium. I have a 90 gallon FOWLR that has been running for almost 20 years. I recently bought a 20 gallon nano which I am hoping to turn into a mixed reef system. With that being said, I have not cycled an Aquarium in 20 years and must say I am a bit rusty. Question is, the new aquarium is 2 weeks old, being cycled with dry rock, live sand and added Dr Tim's one and only to Kickstart the cycling process. I also have two small damsels in there (BRS recommends fish in cycling). Question is, after 2 weeks, ammonia is still at zero ppm, nitrite is also at zero and surprisingly nitrate is also zero. I know the test kit is fine, because the nitrate in my existing Aquarium is showing a reading of 20 ppm. Is it possible that my tank is fully cycled after only 2 weeks? I am assuming there should be at least some detectable levels of nitrate. Has technology advanced so much that by adding live sand and Dr Tim's one and only can really significantly decrease the cycling process that fast? Sorry for the long post. Any information is much appreciated. Thank you.

Where does BRS recommend fish-in cycling? It's cruel

 

[Vertigo916]

Where does BRS recommend fish-in cycling? It's cruel

Around the 2:50 mark of the video, he said add the clownfish along with the bottled bacteria.

 

[ScottJ]

Do you have any rock you can transfer from your FOWLR tank? That way you would have just skipped the start up cycle and been ready to add life slowly.

That said, it still wouldn't be a bad idea to transfer some rock from the other tank. It will defiantly be good then.

 

[Dan_P]

Thanks for the response. Does that mean cycling is done and I can remove the damsels and start adding permanent livestock?

I have no idea. There is nothing to inform us of the condition of the aquarium except no dead fish.

 

[Vertigo916]

Do you have any rock you can transfer from your FOWLR tank? That way you would have just skipped the start up cycle and been ready to add life slowly.

That said, it still wouldn't be a bad idea to transfer some rock from the other tank. It will defiantly be good then.

Unfortunately, the FOWLR has a little vermetid snail infestation so I don't want to introduce vermetid snails to my new tank. Otherwise, I would have.