9 day old 75 gal tank

[tony47nv]

Hello to all first really enjoy reading here,this is my first post after about 2 weeks reaeding and then joining. Have 75 gal with 40 lbs sand and 30lbs of so called live sand came with bio pack of liquid also added abot 5lbs of live rock fully engulfed with red and green plant lfe and a real purple coraline crust. readings after 9days almost forgot the raw shrip added after day 5. all at zero ph at 8.0 and now have some brown spots on the sand that have increase the last 2 days nothing in skimmer cup. does my cycle sound like its on track?

[Vapour1ze]

Yes, Diatoms.

[tony47nv]

could ammonia with the ingredient -surfactant be used also?

[Stevenliu9]

Having diatom, to cyanobacteria on sand/rock is a normal part of the cycle. Nothing to worry. Although if you dont any anything in tank yet you probably can dial back on photo period to save energy and to cut back unnecessary diatom and algae growth.

[JammyBirch]

You added the shrimp 4 days ago and it's still reading 0 for ammonia and nitrites?

I'm in a similar situation started my tank 7 days ago, i too have diatoms and a couple live rocks similar to what you're describing to seed the dry rock in the tank. i haven't added a shrimp though, and i've never read any ammonia or nitrites.

I'm confused...

[Zer0.]

could ammonia with the ingredient -surfactant be used also?

No, thats soap. definetly dont want that in your tank. You just need patience. If you do want to dose liquid ammonia, i recommend ACE Janitorial Strength. It is available at ACE hardware, chain store in most states, and is 10% ammonia with nothing else added. No dyes, No fragrance, no soap (surfactants)

Good luck!

[shesacharmer]

It sounds like you don't need ammonia at this point...just patience. Remember that you are cycling the sand and rock, not the water...it takes awhile for the bacteria to multiply to the number needed and then it takes even longer for that bacteria population to stabilize in the environment that you've created for it. Pretty interesting stuff to be able to create your own environment, eh?

[Nina51]

not sure i'm reading this right but do you have only 5# of live rock in this tank?

[tony47nv]

Thank you guys. Waited it out and day 11 have ammonia level of some where between .25 /.50 not the second color on chart and not yet that green of the third color will test tonight finally feel some progress!!

[tony47nv]

Yes only 5lbs that will eventually go into the canister plan on fish only till it gets established then will wait for some real nice looking rock to add

[FDdragon]

if you are cycling I would add the live rock now.

[1987]

Totally normal for a new tank going through a cycle