Still Cycling?

I've had my 75g tank up and running for 7 weeks now, with 65 lbs of live rock... all water parameters are in check, salinity is 1.024, pH is 8.0, calcium is 350, alk is sitting at 2.8... However, Still 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 0 nitrates... So question is. Why isn't my tank cycling? A week ago, I put a bit of a clean up crew... just 4 astraea snails and 10 blue leg hermits in to clean up some of the green algae that was growing (my diatom algae has long come and gone). I have other growth on the live rocks including feather dusters and star polyps and they all seem to be doing okay.... But seriously, the whole 7 week and no cycle thing is starting to get to me... I've been (or I definitely believe) quite patient to this point but I'm starting to wonder if there is some other factor inhibiting my cycle?

Any help, always appreciated.

Thanks folks.

 

Did you put a fish in there to be the bacteria started? If not you need to get one fish in there and let it stabilize before you add anything else.

 

Ditto on what he said.

 

I was under the impression that you weren't supposed to add any fish until the cycle was complete, or else the ammonia spike would most likely kill it.

 

Did you test your water quality in the first few weeks after you set up the tank?

 

You would usually use a piece of "dead" shrimp or something. Some people use Damsels or clown fish as the are some of the hardiest fish.

I used shrimp, monitored my tank weekly for the first 3 to 4 weeks on my 16 gallon I never had that "spike" that some people get, mine barley raised above the 0.

So if I were you I would get a small fish and out it in your tank, a clown or something. Once it is in the tank monitor your parameters closely.

 

I would remov eht einverts beforehand as the cycle will ultimatle kill them with the cycling process.
I have always used Damselfish to cayy out my cycle in the reef tanks with notable success!

 

Agree!! One yellow-tailed damsel is the best bet as far as survival rates are concerned! Let us know what you decide.

 

That is why your tank has not cycled, there is nothing in there. Some put a sock of dead shrimp in there but with your tank up this long just get one and only one Yellow Tailed Damsel and throw him in there. Then you may see a bacterial bloom and the water get cloudy but it will leave in about 72 hrs. I would then wait about 2 weeks and add another fish.

 

I don't really like the thought of it, when a piece of shrimp or fish will do same.

But if you must use a fish, a yellow tail damsel is a good choice. Very hardy and beautiful fish...

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Try to get a juvenile. May prevent problems with other fish when you add them.

Some take them out because they can be incompatible with other docil fish...but I love mine. Couple of prettiest, least agressive and busiest fish in tank.

Good Luck!

Keep us posted!

Rgds,


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