Will my tank EVER cycle?????????.................

[turanevins]

Ok traded my 6ft tank for smaller one (I know) 75 gallons. Anyways the guy I got the tank from had the tank set up and established for a couple of years, he tore it down and brought it over, I kept his sand, live rock, sump, hob filter. I didnt clean them because I wanted the beneficial bacteria. The only thing I did was add my old bio balls (blue round) because I didnt like the triangular purple ones he had. Anyways I put his live rock in the tank and added 15 gallons of pre made saltwater I bought from from the lfs, along with what water was in the tubs with the rock. I had just enough water to keep the rocks covered, I ran 2 power heads and added about 3-5 pieces of dead rock I had that I wanted seed. Anyways I ordered a rodi unit and kept the tank like this until it showed up and I got it filled (about a week) We are at Christmas now. I used instant ocean. Filled it up, let it clear out and set it up. discovered about 20 or so blue leg hermits and several astreia stars still living on the live rock (freaked out! but O' well what can you do? ) Well I did the wrong thing and didn't test the water everyday I know this "cycle thing" can take a while so i just let it do its thing I added Mysis twice a week, maintained the tank and went on about my business. All the crabs are doing good why worry? Until I noticed I had a HUGE pod population too, which I never had and always wanted So Im super freaking out now!! running and getting my Api test kits and crossing my fingers all these inhabitants will make it. 1st test about 2 weeks ago : Ammonia .25 PH 8.2-8.4 nitrite and nitrate 0. kept adding Mysis, Pods, hermits and bristle worms are loving it! Ive seen the Pod population double and triple in 3 weeks and even got to see their fry and eggs hatching on the glass once. tested the water 1 week ago: SAME tested the water tonight: Same although I also tested calcium this time took me 19 drops so I guess that means 380. I think. Anyhow the temp. is good the salinity is good, the inhabitants are good, even at .25. So I guess I keep going and waiting but When will my ammonia turn to nitrite then nitrates? I know the ammonia has to be 0 and the nitrates have to be elevated for a cycle. but Im stuck on the other end of that. I don't want to limit my beneficial bacteria in the tank by doing a water change during a cycle, but I know the ammonia cant stay at .25 for my inhabitants. So what do I do? that's where Im at! -Wait it out until they get dangerously high before a water change? Water change? Add dr.tims or special blend? Is the tank even really going to "cycle" just because I basically added new saltwater? Did I miss the spikes during the first couple of weeks I didnt test? Whats going on?!?!?!! Please help!

 

[Tahoe61]

Double check your results against another kit. There is nothing wrong with doing a water change this far into a cycle, you're not going to hurt or delay a thing.

 

[turanevins]

I did and it was at zero Thanks! guess I was freaking out over nothing, so I guess its cycled! Im gonna order a few fish for next week and see how it goes

 

[Big Dog]

More than likely you were cycled in 3 days ............

 

[Viracon13]

How much live rock do you have? Your rock and sand should be sufficient for biological filtration. I don't think you need to keep using bio balls

 

[Big Dog]

How much live rock do you have? Your rock and sand should be sufficient for biological filtration. I don't think you need to keep using bio balls

Big 10-4

 

[turanevins]

I have about 100 pounds of LR. Ive always used bioballs even though I am thinking about switching over to bio bale eventually, that's what my sump calls for, I will try it one day!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

If you set up a tank with rock, sand, water from another tank that was just broke down then there is a high probability that it's ready to go!

 

[turanevins]

I did! Broke down at his house and setup here all In one day, I just added my own water and bioballs, But I thought it would still have to cycle, However its stayed flatlined at zeros since ive been feeding the tank so that's what I was starting to think too, you never can be too sure though (better safe than sorry) so I went a head and put in a order for 3 small fish next week, Im getting some more hermits, a hi fin goby with a pistol shrimp, a midas blenny and a exquisite wrasse this will be my first test!

 

[ARVERLY]

I did! Broke down at his house and setup here all In one day, I just added my own water and bioballs, But I thought it would still have to cycle, However its stayed flatlined at zeros since ive been feeding the tank so that's what I was starting to think too, you never can be too sure though (better safe than sorry) so I went a head and put in a order for 3 small fish next week, Im getting some more hermits, a hi fin goby with a pistol shrimp, a midas blenny and a exquisite wrasse this will be my first test!

Start with CUC first and see how they do in a week or two, then add fish!

 

[turanevins]

Ive had hermit crabs in there this whole time, by accident. but they've done great, Im just getting more. I don't like snails. Ive always stuck with hermits, shrimp, sand stars sea slugs, nudis and urchins in stead, besides my hermits always killed my snails for the shells! And Im getting my sand star tonight!

 

[scardall]

Just my 2 cents. You can buy Live bacteria cultures for ammonia and nitrite. Plus "amquel" will help in locking up some ammonia plus it is also a dechlorinated too.

 

[socent]

Imo wait it out until ammonia drops. How's your flow?

 

[turanevins]

I think It wasn't accurate I took the first persons advice and went and got another ammonia test and It was 0 the next day so I know theres noway! I didnt do anything no water change no nothing, unless I read It wrong the first time. I did think about adding the beneficial bacteria before I add any fish, but I don't need a dechlorinator because I have a rodi unit.

 

[turanevins]

Flow is good wouldn't hurt to get some more though I plan on buying a couple more power heads, I seen some on amazon that rotate 360 degrees what do you guys think about those? I think they are also wave makers

 

[Blazerball22]

I have a new 125 gallon. 14 watt uv. Skimmer. Power heads. Led lights. 110 pounds of live rock. 150 pounds of live sand. By tank has been running for one week. The water test perfectly fine. The live rock was used in another tank. How long before I know my tank has cycled. The water test came back perfectly fine at the fish store

 

[turanevins]

You have to add a type of ammonia for the levels to spike, try food or shrimp for a few weeks. some ppl even add pure ammonia (I never have) if they still test fine after a few weeks Id do a 25% water change, add some beneficial bacteria before any fish and only a couple of fish because you have to build up your new bioload. I still waited 6 weeks even though my water was good and my tank probly cycled in a week, I still fed it 2 times a week. added hermits first. after my 6 weeks were up and my water was still testing good, I d my water change added beneficial bacteria and 2 fish a canary blenny and exquisite wrasse its been 2-3 weeks now they are doing well gonna add a few more in 2 more weeks. taking it slow is the key!

 

[turanevins]

I have a new 125 gallon. 14 watt uv. Skimmer. Power heads. Led lights. 110 pounds of live rock. 150 pounds of live sand. By tank has been running for one week. The water test perfectly fine. The live rock was used in another tank. How long before I know my tank has cycled. The water test came back perfectly fine at the fish store

You get an ammonia spike by adding ammonia. That's the first step. When you get an ammonia spike, then see a nitrite spike that's the second. then when the ammonia and nitrites subside youll see nitrates 3rd step. when they all zero out the cycle is complete. I can take anywhere from a couple weeks t a couple months, the key is adding ammonia and testing everyday!

 

[jstec]

I've upgraded tank sizes twice in the past year each time I had to add more sand and new live rock (and a couple pieces of dry rock) but with moving my old sand, rock, and filter media it has only taken 7 maybe 9 days to cycle each time