What's wrong with my cycle?

[Mykesocalreef]

I setup a bb 40 gallon breeder brs reef saver rock. Filled. Added a shrimp ammonia went to 2.0 ppm removed shrimp and began to feed like it was fully stocked. Tank was cloudy and had ammonia on day 2-3. Ammonia has stayed at 2.0. Tank was filled 5-4-15. I've tested everyday amm-2.0, trite-0, trate-0. Ph-8.1. Temp 80 and salinity 1.026. Am I doing something wrong? Feel like there should be nitrite. Oh and the water went back to crystal clear a couple days ago. Took a sample to my LFS and the results were the same. Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Do you know another reefer where you could take a rock or a little sand to seed your tank. If not, look into using something like BioSpira or Dr. Tim's One and Only to get your cycle going.

 

[Mykesocalreef]

Do you know another reefer where you could take a rock or a little sand to seed your tank. If not, look into using something like BioSpira or Dr. Tim's One and Only to get your cycle going.

I set a dead piece of rock in my 72's sump for a couple days hoping that would help. I just don't understand why it isn't progressing. I heard on another forum about that dr tims. Does that really work? I feel like if that was the case everyone would use it.. Do you know if there are any downsides to adding the dr tims? Thanks for the reply I apreciate it!

 

[Reefing Madness]

The problem is, you removed the shrimp when you saw the ammonia go to 2.0. You must leave the shrimp in the tank the entire cycle, that keeps the needed ammonia in the tank to get the other bacteria growing.
Also, using dead rock will not get you any help as far as a cycle goes. Only using fully cured live rock will do this for you.
Get yourself another shrimp, put it in a net, lay the net into the tank water, leave it there until your cycle is completed. The net keeps the shrimp from getting all over the tank as it degrades.

 

[gsjustin]

I setup a bb 40 gallon breeder brs reef saver rock. Filled. Added a shrimp ammonia went to 2.0 ppm removed shrimp and began to feed like it was fully stocked. Tank was cloudy and had ammonia on day 2-3. Ammonia has stayed at 2.0. Tank was filled 5-4-15. I've tested everyday amm-2.0, trite-0, trate-0. Ph-8.1. Temp 80 and salinity 1.026. Am I doing something wrong? Feel like there should be nitrite. Oh and the water went back to crystal clear a couple days ago. Took a sample to my LFS and the results were the same. Any ideas would be appreciated!

When I was cycling my 15g I used live sand, brs reef saver dry rock and bio spira and it took about 2 weeks for my ammonia to start converting to nitrite and after another week or so the nitrite started converting to nitrate so really it's all just time and patience. It'll happen though

 

[Ebone]

how long has your tank been set up....it takes time to cycle...having live rock will help, nothing good happens fast

 

[Mykesocalreef]

The problem is, you removed the shrimp when you saw the ammonia go to 2.0. You must leave the shrimp in the tank the entire cycle, that keeps the needed ammonia in the tank to get the other bacteria growing.
Also, using dead rock will not get you any help as far as a cycle goes. Only using fully cured live rock will do this for you.
Get yourself another shrimp, put it in a net, lay the net into the tank water, leave it there until your cycle is completed. The net keeps the shrimp from getting all over the tank as it degrades.

I removed the shrimp and began to feed the tank as if it were fully stocked with my existing bio load. I was under the assumption that once you get the ammonia started as long as you continue to introduce food to decay you keep the process going. Was I incorrect? The ammonia has held steady the entire time.

 

[Mykesocalreef]

how long has your tank been set up....it takes time to cycle...having live rock will help, nothing good happens fast

My tank cycle started May 4th so I've been running longer then a month.

 

[mikeatt86]

You have to start the bio cycle I use Dr Tims it is grate it will introduce the beneficial bacteria to your tank and start braking down the ammonia into nitrite the to nitrate like others have suggested it will take time I have a five gallon nano it took about a month to cycle also you will see slight fluctuation in the tank parameters for about another week or so till it gets into its natural cycle

 

[mikeatt86]

Live sand and live rock work well too but it will take a bit longer. Most reefers don't like to do this but you can use a really hardy fish like a damsel to keep the cycle going. The excrement from the fish will keep the cycle going as well

 

[Mykesocalreef]

Live sand and live rock work well too but it will take a bit longer. Most reefers don't like to do this but you can use a really hardy fish like a damsel to keep the cycle going. The excrement from the fish will keep the cycle going as well

Ok after 5 weeks I have decided that patience is not getting me any nitrite. So I am going to order some Dr. Tims one and only. So my question is should I just add it to the water as is or should I replace the water entirely and then add the Dr. Tims? Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[mikeatt86]

Keep the same water just add the bacteria and it should start the cycle. You can do about 15% change if you want but since you don't have any nitrite or nitrate it would be kind of pointless, it would remove some of the ammonia but you want that for now to jump start the reproduction if the bacteria. What kind of filtration are you running ?

 

[mikeatt86]

Amount of liverock ,type of substrate

 

[Mykesocalreef]

Amount of liverock ,type of substrate

I'm running bare bottom and 30 lbs of brs reef saver. Skimmer only.

 

[fishroomlady]

you've definitely stalled - that is weird though, with continuing to feed, the cycle should have progressed. I would definitely recommend using some bacteria and as said, just keep your water the same and follow the instructions for amount to add. Good luck!

 

[Mykesocalreef]

It has finally happened! Tested my water this morning and bam! Nitrite! Woo hoo never thought I'd be so excited! Right when I had lost all hope and it was the last test before I ordered the dr tims. So now to keep testing. Should I continue to feed the tank? This is where I'm not certain on how to proceed. Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[mikeatt86]

Good to hear that , I've always cycled my tank with a fish in it so it should work in the same way if you feed the tank just don't feed if as much

 

[Mykesocalreef]

As of yesterday my ammonia hit zero. Nitrite is at about the max. Tested the nitrate and its about 20ppm. So it took 10 days to take the ammonia back to zero. Any Ideas on the timeframe to convert nitrite to nitrate?

 

[Mykesocalreef]

5/4 through 7/15 and cycle is complete! Finally! 10 weeks not to shabby! I have never been the patient type but this cycling has changed me. LOL I have nitrates at 10ppm and will be doing a 25 gallon WC on Saturday. So what should I do next? I need to transfer livestock over @ some point that wont be till after I have a new bracket to hang the lights.. I am also curious about a cuc. Should I add one? If so how many and what types?