Am I cycled?

[kirkaz]

This is my first time setting up a tank (had a 135 for 5 years, but came with our previous house), not sure if I am ready for fish or not...Here are the stats.

240 FOWLR
140 lbs. LR..about half was uncured
40 lbs. Crushed Coral
120 lbs Nature's Ocean Bio-Active Reef Substrate
I have a refugium in the sump, but waiting on a light to do it
Water in and raw shrimp (for 3 days) 2 weeks ago tomorrow...had ammonia spike and then nitrite spike
Current #'s ammonia 0 (for a week now), nitrite 0 (for 4 days now), nitrate 0..I have never had any nitrates, this is what's throwing me off. I have thrown in a little flake food the last 3 days....oh yeah, ph 8.4 and salinity is good
I have tons of brown algae growing as my UV had a broken part that should be here tomorrow.
Plan on Male and Female Bluethroat Triggers as the first fish in.

Where do I stand?

Thanks

[Blown 346]

Sounds like the tank has cycled. The Crushed coral I dont like.

[MTB]

I agree with Blown 346. I would think about taking the crushed coral out. It really wouldn't hurt to wait another week or so to make sure those params stay stable.

[kirkaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12029700#post12029700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown 346
Sounds like the tank has cycled. The Crushed coral I dont like.

Well I don't like your Corallife Superskimmer....Just kidding, thanks for the response. I like to do a small amount of CC, as triggers and puffer seem to like to "mess" with it, and its great for helping ph IMO....I assume you just worry about nitrates with it??

[Blown 346]

Yes, nitrates are one of the problems. I agrre with you on the triggers playing with it. I had 2, a picasso and a Niger, they bith picked it up and spit it everywhere. Sand would make a huge mess, ask me how I know. As long as you keep it vacuumed you should be ok.

[kirkaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12029812#post12029812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown 346
Yes, nitrates are one of the problems. I agrre with you on the triggers playing with it. I had 2, a picasso and a Niger, they bith picked it up and spit it everywhere. Sand would make a huge mess, ask me how I know. As long as you keep it vacuumed you should be ok.

I do vacuum about a 1/3rd every water change, and thats the same trigger combo I had in my previous tank....Thanks Blown