Cycling

Danny91 · 01/03/2018, 02:17 PM

Hi

My tanks been running for two weeks today. Fluval evo 12 with 6 kilos of live rock. I've checked the parameters every other day and they don't seem to have moved...
Ammonia 0.2
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
That's using a red sea marine care kit.
Why am I not seeing any spikes?

nereefpat · 01/03/2018, 02:24 PM

Probably because you haven't added a nitrogen source.

Feed the tank with fish food, or even pure ammonia. The goal is to have an initial ammonia spike of 1-2ppm.

If you are using cured, always wet, live rock, you may not get much of a cycle though.

Danny91 · 01/03/2018, 02:29 PM

I've been adding bits of fish food every other day too. The rock was only out of water for 20 minutes from the fish shop to my house.

Danny91 · 01/03/2018, 02:31 PM

I've also had alot of algae on my glass that I've just sorted by blacking the tank out for 3 days. And bits of Brown algae on my sand.

nereefpat · 01/03/2018, 02:41 PM

Since you added more than 1 pound per gallon of live rock to your tank, there won't be much of a cycle. I would still keep testing, and wait a couple weeks before adding any livestock.

Algae is a good sign, and is part of a new tank.

Danny91 · 01/03/2018, 02:43 PM

Thank you for answering my questions I appreciate it.

nereefpat · 01/03/2018, 02:55 PM

You're welcome. Good luck.

01/03/2018, 02:17 PM	#1
Danny91 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 62	Cycling Hi My tanks been running for two weeks today. Fluval evo 12 with 6 kilos of live rock. I've checked the parameters every other day and they don't seem to have moved... Ammonia 0.2 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5 That's using a red sea marine care kit. Why am I not seeing any spikes?

01/03/2018, 02:24 PM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Probably because you haven't added a nitrogen source. Feed the tank with fish food, or even pure ammonia. The goal is to have an initial ammonia spike of 1-2ppm. If you are using cured, always wet, live rock, you may not get much of a cycle though. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/03/2018, 02:41 PM	#5
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Since you added more than 1 pound per gallon of live rock to your tank, there won't be much of a cycle. I would still keep testing, and wait a couple weeks before adding any livestock. Algae is a good sign, and is part of a new tank. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/03/2018, 02:55 PM	#7
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	You're welcome. Good luck. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/03/2018, 02:29 PM	#3
Danny91 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 62	I've been adding bits of fish food every other day too. The rock was only out of water for 20 minutes from the fish shop to my house.

01/03/2018, 02:31 PM	#4
Danny91 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 62	I've also had alot of algae on my glass that I've just sorted by blacking the tank out for 3 days. And bits of Brown algae on my sand.

01/03/2018, 02:43 PM	#6
Danny91 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 62	Thank you for answering my questions I appreciate it.