Cycling?

Lionking · 02-05-2005, 07:41 PM

Well I finally set up my tank last week. It has been a week to the day. I have a 75 gallon tank with and XP2 Filistar cannister filter, several power heads and a HV1 Hang on Excalibur skimmer (that I think is working quite nicely, good bubbles and some pretty smelly and dirt crap) Anyways I have put in about 70lbs of live rock that was cured and two Jumbo fresh raw fish as of Jan 29. I tested my Ammonia on Tuesday and it was over 5.0 Since about Thursday the tank has been smelling terrible which I took as a good sign. I tested my levels again tonight and it looks like my ammonia is at 0 and my Nitrites are off the chart. Now I understand that it usually takes 2 weeks for ammonia to peak and nitrates to rise, so is this normally considering my data? I heard if you use cured rock your cycle will be quicker? I need to pick up a nitrate test kit on Monday to test once the nitrites go down. No algae blooms yet and sand it still white. Have been adding alkalinity and calcium liquid to help with Coraline algae growth. So any suggestions are reassurances would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Lionking · 02-05-2005, 07:42 PM

Also should I remove what is left of the decaying shrimp?

Thanks again

OoNickoC · 02-05-2005, 09:07 PM

I would remove the big pieces of shrimp and let the tank sit for 1.5-3 months. The longer you hold out the better usually. forget it exists for a few weeks then take a full water test....

JohnO · 02-06-2005, 10:13 PM

Lionking,

For the moment I wouldn't bother with the Alk, Calc supplements except to get them within a roughly acceptable/balanced range. *Once you notice the normal algal cycle then supplementation would be useful but for now I wouldn't bother as it probably isn't helpful.

Certainly take out any left over shrimp and let the worms and things that inhabit the LR take care of the rest. *Once the Nitrites reach zero ( which can happen very quickly ) then add a small fish. *This will help fuel the cycle and keep it going until you want to stock some more. *If you don't want to add the fish then at least add some fresh food at least once a week.

John

Lionking · 02-07-2005, 10:42 AM

Thanks for the help. I think I will hold off on the supplementation, My Ca was at about 480ish and my ALK at 20 which I think are a little high. So I will hold off until later. Also do you think a Royal Gramma would be allright to start off with, or something hardier? When should I add me clean up crew? I am looking at some snails and cleaner shrimps.

Thanks

JohnO · 02-07-2005, 01:09 PM

Those levels certainly are high and it would be a good to just let them settle by themselves.

A Royal Gramma would be fine, just make sure that the Nitrites are zero and then introduce the fish. Don't be too worried if it hides for a whle, that's fairly normal.

I'm not a big fan of using animals to control algae, but a few snails never did any harm :-)

John