New setup .... expecting cycle start

[sssnake]

I officially started my new setup this past Saturday (Apr.14.2007). This is what has been placed in the tank (120gal) so far:

40 lb Nature's Ocean "Bio-Active Live Aragonite"
60 lb Seachem "Meridian Oolitic Aragonite"
90 lb Live rock from Brazil

Nothing was rinsed. I have not placed a damsel to start a cycle because I don't feel like taking apart the tank to catch it later. Damsels are not part of my plans for fish.

I also have not placed any raw shrimp as some do to start a cycle.

Given what has been done so far when should I expect to see ammonia rise?

[Otty]

One single yellow tail damsel will not give you any problems. I thought exactly the same as you. As long as you don't put two in there you will have no problem. Mine hides all time anyway.

[Tangster]

Using some L/R and or sand from an unknown source would worry me far far far more then a single damsel. Its amazes me how you new guys all feel a single yellow tailed damsel with become the demon seed LOL Even if it was the original seed with 666 stamped on its tail fin at least with that you could remove it but the issues anything from L/R or sand could cause is in there for ever !

[Otty]

Originally Posted by Tangster

666 stamped on its tail fin

Good one Tangster!

[sssnake]

Day 10 (Apr.24.2007):

pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

I'm bringing a sample of water to my LFS to verify these readings.

Is this because:

1. The cycle came and went (highly doubtful but I thought I'd ask anyway)
2. The cycle has yet to start
3. I may not see a cycle with the fully cured LR in the tank, or,
4. Is this because I haven't added "Lucifer" in the tank to stir things up a little?

Thanks

[Otty]

If your doing the Tangmisters cycle then you don't need to even be testing for Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, etc your just wasting your test kits. Test for Ca, Mg and ALK because there is nothing you can do about the other as they will run their cycle with time. Now if your in a hurry and seeing how fast you can get stuff in there then keep testing. I am going on my 9th week if his cycle and no algae what so ever...I am sold on the old way...

Check out Omard's signature in his post....it says it all.

As far as the yellow tail damsel....he is swimming with my clowns now that he has fish in the tank. I would of never guess that with the way people hype up damsels as being bad.

[Tangster]

If it where me and its not I'd simply set back and let it fully, SLOWLY cycle and I think most miss the point of why a fish is needed to properly cycle a tank. Unlike a rotting hunk of dead shrimp or nasty dead die off from L/R the single fish will not only start the cycle it will keep it all stable after it initial spikes have come and gone.. Tank can not store or maintain any level amounts of bacteria unless there is a steady demand for the bacteria . And I'd dare say you will seldom if ever see a yellow tailed damsel . But its you tank and system . I'd but away the test kits and just set back and give the tank with a damsel 10 to 12 weeks But thats me..It works better then any newmethods I have seen or tried . Its the only one I use But again thats just me.

[sssnake]

I'm in no hurry whatsoever.

@Otty: After you put your water in at what point in time did you add the damsel?

@Tangmeister: Point well taken

Thanks gents!

[Otty]

Originally Posted by sssnake

I'm in no hurry whatsoever.

@Otty: After you put your water in at what point in time did you add the damsel?

@Tangmeister: Point well taken

Thanks gents!

Good Man! No need to be in a hurry, life if fast enough!
Put him in about day three or four, with two cups of established sand from my 55 gal or if you don't have one up at least from a reputable source and let him ride and do his job.

[MDeth]

Yeah, we cycled my g/fs first FO tank with a damsel - added about 6-8 days after it started to 'cycle'...which didnt actually cycle :p

After the damsel though, it was fine and still up more than 2 years