Where am I in the cycle?

Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 08:23 AM

I got this tank and the water was in it with rocks for weeks before I picked it up. He had a clown in it and a piece of rock with some green coral on it. I transferred everything except the clown fish. I did a 7 gallon water change last night and it’s a 90 gallon tank with a sump.

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Maggie321 · 09/23/2017, 08:49 AM

If I am understanding correctly, the system (tank, rock, sand,and water) has been set up for weeks. You just recently moved it? Did the rocks dry out? Looking at those test results you are somewhere in the middle of your cycle. I would wait to add anything alive. You can test daily if you want to watch your numbers change but what you are looking for is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and a timberline 20 to 80 on nitrate. Then you do a decent water change like 20% or so and check the numbers again. Ammonia and nitrite should stay at 0 but nitrate should come down a bit. You can then add a clean up crew. Expect diatoms or cyanobacteria or algae... or all 3. Then your nitrates will disappear. But you want to do at least 10% water changes at this point every week. Your nitrates will return but at a lower level when the ugly phase has passed.

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Maggie321 · 09/23/2017, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie321

If I am understanding correctly, the system (tank, rock, sand,and water) has been set up for weeks. You just recently moved it? Did the rocks dry out? Looking at those test results you are somewhere in the middle of your cycle. I would wait to add anything alive. You can test daily if you want to watch your numbers change but what you are looking for is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and a timberline 20 to 80 on nitrate. Then you do a decent water change like 20% or so and check the numbers again. Ammonia and nitrite should stay at 0 but nitrate should come down a bit. You can then add a clean up crew. Expect diatoms or cyanobacteria or algae... or all 3. Then your nitrates will disappear. But you want to do at least 10% water changes at this point every week. Your nitrates will return but at a lower level when the ugly phase has passed.

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That was supposed to say a number between instead of timberline

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 08:51 AM

Awesome thanks! I forgot to mention a couple key things

I added the live sand and added about 35 lbs live rock when I moved it last Sunday.

But he did have the tank running with the clown fish for about 2 weeks before I picked it up. So a total of about 3 weeks

Another question. Should I run my lights now to help grow some algae? Or should I leave them off

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Maggie321 · 09/23/2017, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woonkie

Awesome thanks! I forgot to mention a couple key things

I added the live sand and added about 35 lbs live rock when I moved it last Sunday.

But he did have the tank running with the clown fish for about 2 weeks before I picked it up. So a total of about 3 weeks

Another question. Should I run my lights now to help grow some algae? Or should I leave them off

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There is nothing in your tank that needs light right now so I would not run lights.

You are at a point in your cycle where it could complete over night or it could take another 3 months.

The live rock you added should help populate your other rock with good bacteria.

Do you have an ammonia source? A shrimp? Ghost feeding?

I kinda feel bad for the clown he had, I wouldn't add anything alive till your ammonia and nitrites are at 0. That is like breathing poison mustard gas to us. Both of those are poisonous for fish.

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 09:03 AM

Gotcha. Yeah. I agree that’s why I didn’t bring the fish home with me. I want to wait till the water is right

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 09:04 AM

I don’t think I have an ammonia source. Should I? Like I said the one piece of rock has some living green coral on it and some dead coral on it.

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 09:07 AM

Sorry that last post sounded rude. My apologies. Didn’t mean for it to.

Maggie321 · 09/23/2017, 09:12 AM

You didn't say anything rude. You're fine.

I would ghost feed, that is like feeding a non existent fish. Just a pinch of flake food a day (I used freshwater fish food).

You are feeding the bacteria so they populate the rock better.

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Maggie321 · 09/23/2017, 09:16 AM

What are you wanting to have in your tank? If you want just fish and live rock, almost any light will do, if you are wanting corals, I would do a lot of research to be sure your light is sufficient before you buy any.

Also what water are you using? Tap? RO? RODI? Buying it from your lfs?

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie321

What are you wanting to have in your tank? If you want just fish and live rock, almost any light will do, if you are wanting corals, I would do a lot of research to be sure your light is sufficient before you buy any.

Also what water are you using? Tap? RO? RODI? Buying it from your lfs?

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Going to start with fish and maybe build up to a soft coral reef. I already have the life aquatic T5 light so I’m going to use that for the time being while I learn. I watched a video that someone said towards the end of the cycle I should put on the light to help grow algae to help kill the nitrites and nitrates.

Did a 7 gallon water change next week I’ll probably do a 14 gallon. I have 7 gallon jugs so that’s what I’m using.

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 10:28 AM

Here it is by the way.

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Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 11:57 AM

So I shouldn’t get any fish or clean up crew right now correct? Keep doing weekly water changes until my levels reach 0?

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Maggie321 · 09/23/2017, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woonkie

So I shouldn’t get any fish or clean up crew right now correct? Keep doing weekly water changes until my levels reach 0?

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Looks good! And yes I would wait till ammonia and nitrites are 0.

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thomas.torode · 09/23/2017, 02:48 PM

If nitrate and ammonia aren't detectable with API, it's cycled.

nereefpat · 09/23/2017, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas.torode

If nitrate and ammonia aren't detectable with API, it's cycled.

Nitrite

Woonkie · 09/23/2017, 10:21 PM

Nitrite is basically 0. Nitrates are around 20-30

So some snails and crabs then? Or should I get a hardy fish or 2 first?

shaginwagon13 · 09/24/2017, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woonkie

Another question. Should I run my lights now to help grow some algae? Or should I leave them off

I always run the lights for 3 hours a day. I know a lot of people do not, I have never seen an issue.

I also run my skimmer throughout the cycle as well. Some more info can be found below.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1811857

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09/23/2017, 08:23 AM	#1
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	Where am I in the cycle? I got this tank and the water was in it with rocks for weeks before I picked it up. He had a clown in it and a piece of rock with some green coral on it. I transferred everything except the clown fish. I did a 7 gallon water change last night and it’s a 90 gallon tank with a sump. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 02:48 PM	#15
thomas.torode Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 158	If nitrate and ammonia aren't detectable with API, it's cycled. __________________ Red Sea MAX 250, 25 Gallon Nano

09/23/2017, 08:49 AM	#2
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	If I am understanding correctly, the system (tank, rock, sand,and water) has been set up for weeks. You just recently moved it? Did the rocks dry out? Looking at those test results you are somewhere in the middle of your cycle. I would wait to add anything alive. You can test daily if you want to watch your numbers change but what you are looking for is 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and a timberline 20 to 80 on nitrate. Then you do a decent water change like 20% or so and check the numbers again. Ammonia and nitrite should stay at 0 but nitrate should come down a bit. You can then add a clean up crew. Expect diatoms or cyanobacteria or algae... or all 3. Then your nitrates will disappear. But you want to do at least 10% water changes at this point every week. Your nitrates will return but at a lower level when the ugly phase has passed. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 08:51 AM	#4
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	Awesome thanks! I forgot to mention a couple key things I added the live sand and added about 35 lbs live rock when I moved it last Sunday. But he did have the tank running with the clown fish for about 2 weeks before I picked it up. So a total of about 3 weeks Another question. Should I run my lights now to help grow some algae? Or should I leave them off Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 09:03 AM	#6
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	Gotcha. Yeah. I agree that’s why I didn’t bring the fish home with me. I want to wait till the water is right Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 09:04 AM	#7
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	I don’t think I have an ammonia source. Should I? Like I said the one piece of rock has some living green coral on it and some dead coral on it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 09:07 AM	#8
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	Sorry that last post sounded rude. My apologies. Didn’t mean for it to.

09/23/2017, 09:12 AM	#9
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	You didn't say anything rude. You're fine. I would ghost feed, that is like feeding a non existent fish. Just a pinch of flake food a day (I used freshwater fish food). You are feeding the bacteria so they populate the rock better. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 09:16 AM	#10
Maggie321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 187	What are you wanting to have in your tank? If you want just fish and live rock, almost any light will do, if you are wanting corals, I would do a lot of research to be sure your light is sufficient before you buy any. Also what water are you using? Tap? RO? RODI? Buying it from your lfs? Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 10:28 AM	#12
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	Here it is by the way. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 11:57 AM	#13
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	So I shouldn’t get any fish or clean up crew right now correct? Keep doing weekly water changes until my levels reach 0? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/23/2017, 10:21 PM	#17
Woonkie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 50	Nitrite is basically 0. Nitrates are around 20-30 So some snails and crabs then? Or should I get a hardy fish or 2 first?