Ending Cycle Next Step

Reefnoob01 · 01/16/2017, 02:09 PM

Hey Everyone,

I am back from 10 break from reefing and excited that my new setup is almost cycled. I still plan on not adding anything after cycle to get my parameters in check and get a routine down. Had very small blown algae bloom. Here are current #'s.

SG 1.028
pH 8.0
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 40ppm ( down from 80 ppm yesterday)
temp 79.1
Phos 0ppm
Ca 340ppm
KH 161 ppm

Question now is
1. Are nitrates still to high for small cleaning crew?
2. Once cycled should i do some Ammonia drops to check the cycle?
3. Do i worry about the numbers out of whack, or just slowly fix during my first water change which i will fix the SG.

Thanks for opinion and tips.

Setup: 20G long, 20lb rock, 20lb live sand, AQ70 with carbon,mesh, & biothings.

mcgyvr · 01/16/2017, 03:07 PM

nitrates are not that bad and shouldn't cause problems with any cleaning crew.. But definitely will be an issue for most corals..

Just do those water changes to lower the nitrates and adjust the salinity to 1.025-1.026..
No need to add anymore ammonia..

Reefnoob01 · 01/16/2017, 03:19 PM

Thanks. Do I do the water change now, or wait until end of cycle?

mcgyvr · 01/16/2017, 03:24 PM

Your cycle is over... (well.. I assume it is with no ammonia.. no nitrites).
You can do water changes now..

How long has the tank been set up for?

Reefnoob01 · 01/16/2017, 03:35 PM

Been running about 3 weeks. Since i have live sand and dry rock i added shrimp for about 3 days to get ammonia spike. Then had nitrite spike and finally nitrate. My only other concern is water quality which might be fixed with water change. I have tons of little white specks floating throughout the tank. Not sure what they are, but added aquaclear surface skimmer the other day. Has helped a little. Just concerned that i need clearer water down the road when it come to fish time.

Thanks for your advice

mcgyvr · 01/16/2017, 04:02 PM

Yep.. your tank is fully cycled.. now its just "maturing".. (diatoms/green film and hair algaes/cyano even to come)
Your water parameters look just fine...
Fish can easily tolerate 100+ nitrates,etc..

Just get on a normal water change cycle (20% every 2 weeks to start) and you can start adding CUC and fish whenever..

scooter31707 · 01/18/2017, 12:16 PM

I would add CUC first before any fish and don't add all of your CUC at once. They don't have enough to feed on right now. I would recommend half of your final number to start out with.

Patrick.S · 01/18/2017, 06:03 PM

I added things at least a week apart. I think it gives things a chance to settle out.

01/16/2017, 02:09 PM	#1
Reefnoob01 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 8	Ending Cycle Next Step Hey Everyone, I am back from 10 break from reefing and excited that my new setup is almost cycled. I still plan on not adding anything after cycle to get my parameters in check and get a routine down. Had very small blown algae bloom. Here are current #'s. SG 1.028 pH 8.0 Ammonia 0ppm Nitrite 0ppm Nitrate 40ppm ( down from 80 ppm yesterday) temp 79.1 Phos 0ppm Ca 340ppm KH 161 ppm Question now is 1. Are nitrates still to high for small cleaning crew? 2. Once cycled should i do some Ammonia drops to check the cycle? 3. Do i worry about the numbers out of whack, or just slowly fix during my first water change which i will fix the SG. Thanks for opinion and tips. Setup: 20G long, 20lb rock, 20lb live sand, AQ70 with carbon,mesh, & biothings.

01/16/2017, 03:07 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	nitrates are not that bad and shouldn't cause problems with any cleaning crew.. But definitely will be an issue for most corals.. Just do those water changes to lower the nitrates and adjust the salinity to 1.025-1.026.. No need to add anymore ammonia.. __________________ Who me?

01/16/2017, 03:24 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Your cycle is over... (well.. I assume it is with no ammonia.. no nitrites). You can do water changes now.. How long has the tank been set up for? __________________ Who me?

01/16/2017, 04:02 PM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yep.. your tank is fully cycled.. now its just "maturing".. (diatoms/green film and hair algaes/cyano even to come) Your water parameters look just fine... Fish can easily tolerate 100+ nitrates,etc.. Just get on a normal water change cycle (20% every 2 weeks to start) and you can start adding CUC and fish whenever.. __________________ Who me?

01/16/2017, 03:19 PM	#3
Reefnoob01 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 8	Thanks. Do I do the water change now, or wait until end of cycle?

01/16/2017, 03:35 PM	#5
Reefnoob01 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 8	Been running about 3 weeks. Since i have live sand and dry rock i added shrimp for about 3 days to get ammonia spike. Then had nitrite spike and finally nitrate. My only other concern is water quality which might be fixed with water change. I have tons of little white specks floating throughout the tank. Not sure what they are, but added aquaclear surface skimmer the other day. Has helped a little. Just concerned that i need clearer water down the road when it come to fish time. Thanks for your advice

01/18/2017, 12:16 PM	#7
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I would add CUC first before any fish and don't add all of your CUC at once. They don't have enough to feed on right now. I would recommend half of your final number to start out with.

01/18/2017, 06:03 PM	#8
Patrick.S Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 70	I added things at least a week apart. I think it gives things a chance to settle out.