Cycling - Is it Done? I WANT SNAILS

[Linda]

Live rock/sand added on 6/19. 10 days later, water tests show: Ammonia - 0; Nitrites - 0; Nitrates 60 ppm, pH - 7.2; 1.022 sg; and a consistent temperature of 77 degrees.

Is the brown stuff on the small live rock pieces toward the front of the tank hairy algae (or whatever it's called)? Or, is it just brown algae? Bottom line, is it good stuff or bad? If bad, how do I get rid of it?

Now what? Do I perform a partial (25%) water change? If so, can I add some snails and crabs the day of/before the water change? After the WC, then what?

Thanks to all of you reef gurus who take the time to guide us beginners!

Linda

[hitman35]

how long has your tank been up and running total time

[amcarrig]

Do not do any water changes or add any snails until those nitrates drop to below 20. If you do water changes now, you will stall the cycle. If you add snails now, they will most likely die with that high of a nitrate level. The brown algae is most likely diatoms, a normal part of the cycling process. It will go away on its own and whatever is left over after the initial cycle will be eaten by whatever snails you add later on.

[Linda]

Tank has been up and running for 3 weeks.

I figured the nitrates were too high -- just haven't checked yet to see what the optimum level is.

This is where "go slow and be patient" comes in!

Should I start to perform any reef testing -- for calcium, phospates, etc? Or, does this start once the tank is completely cycled and stocking has begun?

I'll wait for as long as it takes. I want to do everything I can to ensure success.

I'm grateful for any tips at this stage in the process.

Thanks!

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by Linda

Should I start to perform any reef testing -- for calcium, phospates, etc? Or, does this start once the tank is completely cycled and stocking has begun?

Not yet because your results won't mean squat as they will fluctuate alot during the next few weeks. Once your nitrates drop to as close to 0 as they can get, then you can start monitoring and adjusting those levels (if needed) to encourage coralline growth.

[IBMGeek]

This is where "go slow and be patient" comes in!

Tell me about it i am going to cycle the tank for 8 weeks with nothing but base rock, sand, two chromis and some snails in the future.

[Linda]

Okay. I'll wait.

Thanks.

[Jason McKenzie]

Have you added anything to promote the cycle like a cocktail shrimp or fish food?

If not your cycle hasn't really started.

J

[IBMGeek]

yeah you have to add something like a dead shrimp, or a fish or maybe your live rock had some die off.

[Otty]

Also, don't have your lights on. You want bacteria to grow not algae.